Fifty Organizations in Puerto Rico form a coalition against the US Financial Control Board

 

 

 

 

 

Over fifty organizations announced an official coalition in Puerto Rico, to oppose the imposition of a US "Financial Control Board" over the whole island.

 

Singer Danny Rivera, one of its leaders, denounced the Board as a scheme to "kick Puerto Ricans off our own island, so they can sell our country to the highest bidder."

 

Union leaders, university professors, community and environmental activists, artists, students and lawyers are all part of this coalition. they are planning a major media campaign, and intensive labor organizing, in opposition to the Control Board. 

 

According to the coalition spokesman, Jerohim Ortiz Menchaca, civil disobedience will also be a possibility. 

 

This point was emphasized by singer Danny Rivera, who stated that "our people must take to the streets, and denounce this attempt to treat Puerto Ricans like cheap merchandise."

 

Here are additional links for those who want to get involved with community and grassroots efforts.

 

Additional background information:

 

 

 

Re: When `Both Sides' Are Covered in Verizon Strike, Bosses' Side Is Heard More

 

I once had the privilege of spending 24 hours with two labor reporters from Japan who were doing a story on worker fatigue and wanted to learn more about the high profile worker death of one of the members of my union, Brent Churchill. They wrote for the Labor section of a large major paper.

 

During their time with me they talked with Brent's parents, with me and the business manager of our local union (I was an organizer and also had worked side by side with the worker in my rank and file job before going to work for the union) , and with legislators on the Labor Committee of our state legislature because we were pushing for a bill to prevent future such tragedies.

 

I asked them if they would like me to arrange for them to speak with representatives from the company where Brent had worked. Their response? "Why would we want to talk to them?"

 

Cynthia Phinney

 

 

 

 

Re: Sanders' Impact on Millennials: 'He's Moving a Generation to the Left'

 

Oh please maybe he is riding on a sea which has been going to the left 

 

Nena Torres

 

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he is the only politician in my lifetime who walked his talk-I pray he continues to lead us

 

Jill Allison

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

 

Re: Hillary Clinton's Win in New York Raises Tough Questions for Bernie Sanders and His Supporters

 

I've been overwhelmed by preparing for both Passover starting Friday night and the 5 Boro Bike Tour May 1. So I've not thought much about the Hillary victory and the Bernie defeat in NYS. Three thoughts: 

 

For me the Bernie campaign continues with all of it's benefits to local organizing and opportunities for raising our issues. Here, via Portside are some thoughts of D.D. Guttenplan.

 

Daniel Millstone

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

 

A Deeper Look at New York's Presidential Primary

 

Hillary's 16-point victory over Bernie Tuesday in New York was gracefully received by Sanders without compliant or criticism.

 

The victory, however, exposed several anomalies that otherwise could have produced a much different result.

Top New York City officials are crying foul and calling for investigations, as well they should, however, Bernie has moved on.

 

James E Vann,

Political and Community Activist,

Oakland, California 

 

 

 

 

Re: "Yes We Can!" A Revitalized Left is Emerging

 

The Bernie Sanders Campaign is about building a movement for a just country; as well as electing a president. Win or lose the presidential contest, the Bernie Campaign has already won much. The fight against corporate control of our government - with all its disastrous consequences- is growing. Every vote for Bernie is a vote for justice; every dollar contributed strengthens the growing anti-corporate, anti-war movement. Continue to support Bernie's (and our) campaign with contributions & votes. It all counts.

 

Diane Laison

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

 

 

Re: Harriet Tubman Is Perfect for the $20 Bill, But Which Tubman?

 

"She was a fighter, and impatient for the freedom of her people and the suffrage of her sex; she repeatedly put her life on the line for what she believed in. And one hopes that's how she appears on the $20 bill."

 

 

Dennis Formento

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

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Abe Lincoln was a Republican but that has nothing to do with Republicans of the 20th & 21st Century. Also Southern Dems were Racist until Lyndon Johnson in late 1960s.

 

Steve Kramer

 

 

 

 

Re: Keep Harriet Tubman -- and All Women -- Off the $20 Bill

 

Feminista Jones' argument that Harriet Tubman's image not be placed on the $20 bill because it would only "mask" the inequalities that black women still face is ridiculous. With that argument we might conclude that African Americans should not have accepted emancipation because it only "masked" the inequality they knew they would face afterwards.

 

Seymour Joseph

 

 

 

 

Re: Sanders Allies Plot Meeting to Discuss Future of the Movement

 

 

 

 

http://thepeoplessummit.org/

 

 

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Note the MSNBC wording, not to plan further action but to "plot" it. 

Phooey!

 

Stan Nadel

 

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Some of you have been wondering what Sanders supporters might do to keep the movement building. Some of them are planning a strategy meeting in June.

 

Stephanie Luce

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

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It would help the movement if Bernie would publicly endorse candidates that are running as his supporters in Dem primaries--and perhaps send them some of that cash he has received. In Oregon, these include  Kevin Stine for US Senator, Dave McTeague for 5th CD representative and Dr. Julian Bell for governor.

 

Mike Munk

 

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Interesting that this comes from MSNBC which has been nauseatingly pro-Hillary from the very beginning.  This is an important discussion and it needs to be continued and acted on. But one must wonder why we didn't have it in the beginning of Sanders' campaign?  The issues didn't just appear when Bernie raised them. They've been around for a very long time.  

 

Of course we must continue. But the "left" needs to do some serious soul-searching as to why our reluctance in the beginning to do a unified full-throttle support may well have cost us this very significant battle. We have backed ourselves into that same corner of holding our nose and voting for someone we neither trust nor like. Altho I will not vote for Hillary, choosing other options instead, many Bernie supporters will in order to "save the Democratic Party." This is partly because I doubt that Hillary can beat either Trump or Cruz but because I can no longer think of the Democrats as allies in the economic and political struggles in today's world. To quote Bernie:  "enough is enough."

 

Claire Carsman

 

 

 

 

Re: Beyoncé's Lemonade Is About Much More Than Jay Z

 

Fantastic review

 

Maria Mello

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

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Beyoncé's new album Lemonade is interspersed with an adaptation of the poetry of Warsan Shire, a Kenyan-born Somali poet based in London. Portside previously ran her powerful poem, Home. 

 

Today's New York Times ran an arts feature on both Beyoncé and Shire. 

 

See also: This Is The Poet Featured In Beyoncé's Lemonade, posted on Refinery29 earlier this week. 

 

 

 

 

"I tried to change. Tried to be softer, prettier," Beyoncé says in a scene in Lemonade, her HBO special and visual album tour de force.

 

But the words are not her own. They belong to Somali-British poet Warsan Shire.

 

In fact, words from some of Shire's poems - including "For Women Who Are Difficult to Love," "The Unbearable Weight of Staying (The End of the Relationship)," and "Nail Technician as Palm Reader" - served as interludes between songs for Lemonade. And if you looked closely, you'll see that in the production credits for Lemonade, Shire is credited as "Film Adaptation and Poetry."

 

Long before Beyoncé came along, 27-year-old Shire was making a name for herself as an accomplished poet. In 2013, Shire won the U.K.'s Brunel University inaugural prize for African Poetry.  She also became London's first Young Poet Laureate. 

 

 

Jay Schaffner

 

 

Re: Notes on the Election

 

Presumably Sanders will back Clinton once he loses at the convention, but the focus of his organization in all its many parts should be on getting progressive candidates elected. Control of Congress is essential to bring about a reversal of many destructive and unfair policies of the last thirty years and with a strong base the Democratic Party can choose a genuinely progressive presidential candidate next time. In the meantime continued emphasis on Bernie's themes and proof of the corrosive corruption in the entire political system is important to win over frustrated voters.

 

It is a big task but given the political history it should be done within the Democratic Party rather than expending energy on a third party - as that alternative has never worked. As for the mainstream media, they will do nothing or be negative so continued communication through social media is important.

 

Laurel MacDowell 

 

 

 

Re: US unions plan attack on Donald Trump in attempt to derail presidential bid

(posting on Portside Labor)

 

If we union members -- active and retired -- want to defeat Trump and racist, rightwing fascism, we better start LISTENING to BOTH union members and *unorganized* workers who are voting for Trump.  Ads, door-knocking and phone raps will need to MOVE workers to the polls for positive change overcoming very real FEARS that workers and their families are living each day.  One of UE's largest locals represents workers at GE in Erie -- where UE members rallied and voted for Bernie.  Maybe AFL-CIO leaders can check-in with UE leaders to talk about strategy and tactics?

 

Leanna Noble

 

 

 

 

Re: Uber, Taxis, Independent Contractors, and Unions

(posting on Portside Labor)

 

If we think of Uber, Lyft and Sidecar (and its cousins) as the cutting edge of the gig economy, the drivers are the ones getting cut. They are nominally "independent contractors" Their rates of pay get cut, their access to the app as a source of customers is unreliable. But, of course, it's not only them. Drivers for more traditional cab companies and car services, also nominally independent contractors, have taken a huge hit (as have taxi owners). Drivers everywhere are trying to fight back with varying success. Here, via Portside, is an interesting overview of the coming struggles by Giuseppe Eroico. While you're there, visit the Stansbury Forum website, which I had never heard of (had you?)

 

Daniel

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

 

 

Re: The new Gilded Age: Close to half of all super-PAC money comes from 50 donors

 

What Happens in America Happens Throughout the World .... the role of Money in Politics

 

Sue Zipp

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

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Video - Old People Don't Care About Climate Change 

 

 

 

 

Defend Our Future

Listen here.

 

Screw it. They don't care about climate change -- why should you?

 

Hear from professional old people who certainly won't be alive long enough to see the effects of climate change continue to plague our planet.

 

 

 

Re: This Is What It Feels Like to Be Hunted by Drones

 

Drone warfare.....Nothing to be proud of!

 

William Proctor

Posted on Portside's Facebook page

 

 

 

 

Re: The Beatles and the Reagan Revolution

 

When I heard Taxman--not my favorite song on Revolver--I thought about military spending, not of public schools and healthcare. Also the folks listening to the Beatles were getting high--so they were paying taxes to the law on which they were on the wrong side. Good reasons for not liking the taxman...

 

Howard Dickler

 

 

 

Re: Friday Nite Videos -- April 22 - Library Flashmob - 'Hallelujah'

(weekly Portside post - Friday Nite Videos)

 

 

The flashmob, I've missed that being in China for so long.That's what it means to be human, 

 

Mike Liston

 

 

 

Re: Stone Mountain, Georgia: The History, Monument, Controversy, and Commemorative Stamp

 

I was somewhat aware that there would be a protest after reading the Portside post https://portside.org/2016-03-10/stone-mountain-georgia-history-monument… about Stone Mountain - it's racist history, and the commemoration of that racism on stamps issued by the United States Postal Service. There was good coverage of the protest in Creative Loafing, Atlanta's "alternative" paper. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Niles

 

 

 

Ways to Justice - Perspectives on Nonviolence, Civil Resistance and Self Defense -- May 6 - 8 - Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA)

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Role(s) of Nonviolent Action and Self-Defense in Civil Rights Struggles

 

Panel participants:

 

Other Panels and Roundtables:

 

Cosponsored by the Peace+Justice Studies Initiative, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, the Stanford Humanities Center, the Arca Foundation, Students for Alternatives to Militarism, and the Stanford Concert Network

 

Conference website, click here. 

 

 

 

ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism to two outstanding journalists:  Lydia Cacho and Jeremy Scahill - 80th Annual Celebration Abraham Lincoln Brigade - New York - May 7

 

Working on both sides of the Mexico-United States border, Cacho and Scahill have dedicated their careers to exposing the corruption, violence and abuse of power which go routinely unchallenged in the mainstream media. Their work exemplifies the intersections of expository reporting and human rights activism.

 

 

 

 

 

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and the arrival of the International Brigades & presenting the ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism to Lydia Cacho and Jeremy Scahill

 

Saturday, May 7, 2015

2:30 - 4:15 pm

Reception to follow

 

Japan Society

333 East 47th Street

New York, NY 10017

 

With songs of the Spanish Civil War performed by Velina Brown and Barbez.

 

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! 

 

Seating is limited. Early ticket purchase is recommended.

 

 

 

 

Rise of the Right forum - Brooklyn - May 9

 

Rise of the Right in the U.S.

 

Speakers:

Monday, May 9 at 7:00 pm

 

@ The Commons

388 Atlantic Ave

Brooklyn

 

$10 suggested donation; no-one turned away

See it on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/109491229454451/

 

Train: A/C/G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn; 2/3 to Hoyt; 4/5 to Nevins;

B/D/N/Q/R to Atlantic/Barclay's Center; F to Bergen

 

Sponsor: Brooklyn For Peace