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Solidarity 69
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The purpose of this group is to create solidarity among the left & to take action by any means necessary.
Location: The frontline is everywhere!
Members: 71
Latest Activity: yesterday
Discussion Forum
How to Promote Solidarity? 1 Reply
I think this group is a great idea and a worthy goal, but the question is how do we achieve this or at least how do we take practical steps to it?I know of many different attempts to unify various…Continue
Started by Rhys Harrison. Last reply by Joe Balkis Sep 30, 2012.
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 28, 2012 at 7:13 -
Clicking here will automatically add your name to this petition to President Obama: "The new financial crimes task force you announced in the State of ... Automatically add your name: 
A month ago, President Obama announced during the State of the Union speech the creation of a new financial crimes task force to investigate the crimes and misdeeds that led to the economic collapse and "hold accountable those who broke the law."
Yet, despite the enormity of the issue, its direct impact on millions of Americans and the widespread nature of crimes and wrongdoing, the new financial crime unit has been given a paltry 55 staff members to undertake this enormous task.1
This contrasts to the approximately 1,000 FBI agents and dozens of federal prosecutors who were assigned to prosecute cases related to the much smaller savings and loan scandal of the '80s2, or the 100 FBI agents tasked with investigating the Enron scandal3, which involved just one company and caused none of the economy-wide damage we've seen since the collapse of the housing bubble.
President Obama's record on Wall Street accountability is abysmal. But because of enormous grassroots pressure from activists like you and polling that suggests he needs to take on Wall Street as a part of his election campaign, we have a real opportunity to move President Obama to meaningful action on Wall Street accountability.
President Obama's first task force at the Department of Justice did little if anything to prosecute Wall Street for crimes that led to the financial crisis. But because of your activism, he announced a new task force and named progressive champion and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman one of its five co-chairs.
Now we need to pressure the White House to give that task force the resources it needs to pursue justice. Without sufficient staff to conduct thorough investigations, it's hard to see how this task force could bring indictments quickly.
The economic crisis we're in demands a response commensurate with the damage done by Wall Street crooks. But 55 investigators don't even come close to being adequate.
And aside from the appointment of Attorney General Schneiderman, none of the other co-chairs of the new task force has done literally anything that achieves our goal of holding banks accountable or prosecuting bankers for criminal activity.
In fact, three of his co-chairs served on the earlier failed Department of Justice task force that the new investigation was created to supersede.
In an election year when we know the Obama reelection campaign wants to run against Wall Street, President Obama will be particularly sensitive to public perception of whether his efforts to hold Wall Street accountable are meaningful and represent the full force of his office.
But we only have until election day before we lose our leverage. We have until then to ensure that President Obama's gestures towards Wall Street accountability are more than mere sleight of hand that does more to protect Wall Street than to bring justice for the millions of American taxpayers who bailed out the big banks but still haven't seen any accountability for the financial fraud that led to the economic collapse.
We want, and our country needs, indictments. The collapse of the housing led directly to the economic crisis we're in. But not one of the Wall Street crooks who drove our economy off a cliff has gone to jail. And without aggressive investigations and prosecution for misconduct, none of them will.
President Obama needs to give the Department of Justice task force the resources required to launch a serious investigation that will bring about real accountability before the statutes of limitations run out for Wall Street's crimes.
He can start by staffing the task force at a bare minimum at the levels of previous financial task forces created to address much smaller scandals.
It's been a month already. We can't waste any more time.
Tell President Obama: 55 investigators are not enough. We need 20 times more staffing to launch a real investigation into Wall Street's crimes. Click the link below to automatically sign the petition:
Thank youfor standing up for Wall Street accountability.
Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets1. "Details Emerge of New Financial Fraud Unit ," Huffington Post, 01-26-12.
2. FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole's statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee, 02-11-09
3. "In Past Financial Crises, Fewer Pursued In Courts," NPR, 08-14-11.
© 2012 CREDO. All rights reserved.
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 26, 2012 at 4:36
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UE Occupies Chicago Window Plant Again, and Wins Reprieve
Michigan Unions Look to Amend Constitution to Block Anti-Labor Bills
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Labor Notes Conference May 4-6Sign up for the conference now and save: Early-bird registration is just $95. Ends March 2!Going on Offense. Targeting corporate handouts, pushing new taxes aimed at banks and other scofflaws, and many unions are putting the 1% in the crosshairs.
The Short-Strike Strategy. Several unions have emphasized limited strikes as part of their bargaining strategy. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the tactic?These are just two of nearly 100 sessions in planning. Don't delay:...
A Shallow Victory on Living Wages
In New York CityAfter New York's retail union announced a living wage deal with the city council, activists greeted the news with mixed feelings. Only a small number of workers will be affected, but activists think the campaign helped change the conversation on low wages.
Chicago Occupation Challenges Corporate School Agenda
Unions Rally to Protect
Contraceptive CoverageWhile Catholic bishops are organizing to get religious-affiliated institutions exempted from providing contraceptive coverage, some unions and women's organizations are counter-mobilizing.
Help Us Blow Out the Candles
Hard to believe, but a scrappy rank-and-file magazine and organizing institute turns 33 this week. Founded in 1979 to bring together leaders from an inspiring string of wildcat strikes and union reform caucuses, Labor Notes is still going strong.
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 26, 2012 at 4:34
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Clicking here will automatically add your name to this petition to Transcanada CEO Russ Girling: "It is unconscionable that TransCanada is trying to confiscate land... Automatically add your name:
The arrogance of TransCanada is shocking, even for an oil company.
The company is threatening to seize the property of American landowners and start construction of its Keystone XL pipeline — even though President Obama last month rejected the permit to build.
The pipeline path includes the 600 acre working farm that Julia Trigg Crawford's grandfather bought in 1948, on the Texas Oklahoma border, where the Red River meets Bois d'Arc Creek, which waters the farm.
Fearing for the safety of her farm and it's water source, Julia Trigg rejected TransCanada's offer to buy an easement on her land.
TransCanada announced it was seizing her land under eminent domain and would begin digging, but Julia won a temporary restraining order,1 at least until this Friday when the court will hear the case challenging Transcanada's status as a "common carrier" under Texas law.
It's bad enough that TransCanada expect landowners like Julia Trigg to accept permanent damage to their land and possible oil spills. But it's beyond arrogant for this foreign oil company to trample on private property rights and start construction on a project whose permit has just been denied!
Under eminent domain, the government can force landowners to accept monetary payment for the use of their land for certain public-good projects like highways and railroads.
Of course, TransCanada's massive fuse to the carbon bomb of the tar sands shouldn't qualify as one of these projects — it does great harm and only helps the profits of a foreign corporation. But regardless, the company doesn't even have the permit to build it, because the White House just rejected their application. But that hasn't stopped TransCanada.
According to The New York Times, the company has at least 34 eminent domain actions against landowners in Texas, and 22 in South Dakota.2 And their threats to landowners in Nebraska3helped spark massive public opposition and a special legislative session that were key in the decision to consider a different route.
Many of these landowners are being sued by the company, and told that if they don't take the small monetary offering — sometimes less than $10,000 in exchange for the permanent damage to their land, and huge risk of spills — their land will be condemned and TransCanada will seize the easement.
Julia Trigg and others are fighting back and doing everything they can to oppose TransCanada's land grab.
Everyone from environmentalists to Tea Partiers in Texas are showing their support for Americans' property rights.4As these court challenges unfold, we need to build pressure against TransCanada and spread the word about their reprehensible tactics.
Click below to automatically sign the petition:
Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets1. "Keystone XL Pipeline: Texas Farmer Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against TransCanada," Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
2. "Eminent Domain Fight Has a Canadian Twist," New York Times, October 17th, 2011
3. "TransCanada Keystone XL Eminent Domain Threat Letter ," Dirty Oil Sands
4. "Texans rally against Keystone XL oil pipeline easement," LA Times, February 17, 2012
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 26, 2012 at 4:31
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***forward widely***--No Power Greater: Marxism & the Working Class
The Occupy Movement has brought class politics to the front and center of the national discussion about what is wrong with society, and how it can be changed. What do Marxists say about class? Who is in the working class, and why does it matter? Do unions still matter? How can workers organize today?Shaun Harkin, socialists and veteran activist, will give a presentation that aims to answer the questions above. Join the Pilsen branch of the International Socialist Organization for a presentation and a discussion.Invite yourself and others to the Facebook page.Or, take some time and read up on the topic. Here are some suggested readings:For more information:
ChicagoSocialists.org
Legacy of a revolutionary: Malcolm XSaturday, March 10, 20124:00pm until 6:00pmColumbia College Chicago • Hokin Hall, room 109 • 623 S. Wabash AveAuthor of Black Liberation and Socialism, and editor of International Socialist Review, Ahmed Shawki will present on the legacy of one of the most well-known revolutionaries in the United States. Join the International Socialist Organization in a discussion and public forum on the well-known, yet misunderstood history of Malcolm X.Prepare for this discussion by listening to this talk on Malcolm X, given by NYC teacher and socialist, Brian Jones: http://wearemany.org/v/2011/07/malcolm-xOr, check out this interview with Manning Marable: http://www.isreview.org/issues/63/feat-malcolmx.shtmlFor more information about meetings hosted by the International Socialist Organization, check out:--
ChicagoSocialists.org
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 23, 2012 at 6:42
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Matteo Parlati stood up to the fascists. Now, he needs us to stand up for him.Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.Matteo Parlati stood up to the fascists. Now, he needs us to stand up for him. 
Matteo Parlati is a shop steward who works for Ferrari Auto in Italy.
He's an activist in FIOM-CGIL, the Italian metal workers union.Last October, when local neo-fascists decided to celebrate Mussolini's infamous March on Rome, Matteo and his colleagues staged a counter-demonstration which was attacked by police.
He was then charged with resisting the police and bearing 'moral responsibility' for the clash.
(Photos and videos confirm that Matteo was the victim, not the criminal.)Matteo's fellow shop stewards have unanimously called for an international protest campaign demanding that the charges against him be dropped.What Matteo did was resist fascism -- this is a basic responsibility of all trade unionists and is not a crime.Please take a moment and send off your message of protest today - and spread the word!Thank you.
Eric LeeCopyright © 2012 LabourStart, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this message because you opted in at our website (http://www.labourstart.org) - most likely when you signed up to support one of our online campaigns in support of workers' rights.
Our mailing address is:LabourStart4 Alexandra Park RoadLondon, England N10 2AA
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 22, 2012 at 17:15
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Imagine being subjected to daily doses of scare tactics and veiled threats about job security and loyalty to your boss. Or being forced against your will into a weekly mandatory meeting where you are divided into random groups and forced to watch anti-union videos. And this happens despite the fact that you’ve signed your name to several petitions demanding union representation.
Tell the Bosses at Toll to Stop the Union-Busting and Agree to a Fa...
“We couldn’t be more certain about our decision to form a union,” said Julio Ortega a truck driver at Toll Group. “All we want is to exercise our right to vote. Instead we are forced to waste our time in anti-union captive audience meetings. That’s time that I could be on the road doing my job, or – even better – at home with my family.”
Nearly a month has passed since truck drivers at Toll demanded a fast and fair election, but under the direction of their union-busting boss the company has used every tactic in the book to detour truck drivers and delay the vote.
Just the other week Toll used a hearing at the National Labor Relations Board to delay a union vote and to try to stuff the bargaining unit with non-driver staff in an attempt to dilute the current yes votes.
Tell the Bosses at Toll to Stop the Union-Busting and Agree to a Fa...
The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports is an unprecedented alliance that is united against pollution and poverty at our nation's ports. You're receiving this message because you asked to receive updates from us.
Learn more about the coalition: visit our Web site
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 22, 2012 at 17:14
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Join the conversation:
National Conference Call Tonight, Wednesday, Feb 22nd, 5:30pm PT/6:30pm MT/7:30pm CT/8:30pm ET
Register here!Read our
International Women's Day
Call to Action
and Create an Action with your local Occupy!Show your support
with an “I Heart the 99%” tee
Connect with us on twitter at @womenows
February 22, 2012
What do Women Occupy, CODEPINK, Rainforest Action Network, and Public Citizen have in common? We all have national, women-led campaigns targeting Bank of America, and we’re all teaming up to go after the B of A behemoth on March 8th, International Women’s Day!
Will you join us on March 8th to occupy a Bank of America in your town?
Of all the big banks, Bank of America leads the pack in home foreclosure, predatory lending, and irresponsible economic and environmental policies that are destroying our families and communities.
Find out more, get tools for your action (like how to become a Super Shero, how to set up a Really Really Free Market, and more), and check out our calendar to find or post an event in your area!
On last week’s Women Occupy conference call we were honored to have Amanda Starbuck, Director of Rainforest Action Network’s Energy and Finance Program, join us to discuss strategy and talking points. Tonight, the amazing Lisa Fithian will give a brief training in direct action and share some of her over 20 years of activist wisdom!
Register for tonight’s call with Lisa Fithian at 5:30pm Pacific / 8:30pm Eastern!
And stay tuned next week -- same time, same call -- when we will be joined by media strategist Celia Alario for a crash course in press skills and how to market your event!
xox,
Women Occupy
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 22, 2012 at 6:20
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Social Security has not added one cent to our national debt and the majority of Americans oppose reducing the federal deficit by cutting cost-of-living increases. If you believe that Congress should never put Social Security benefits on the chopping block, please stand with the National Committee to Preserve Social Securit...
Don Hazen
Executive Editor, AlterNet
Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments Aren’t Accurate for Seniors 
We need your help to send a nonpartisan message to Congress that COLA calculations must change!70% of Americans across parties are against any cuts in Social Security. Thanks to the support of concerned citizens like you, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare recently waged a successful Hands Off — No Cuts grassroots campaign. We put a stop to proposed cuts that would have been harmful to older Americans. Working together, we proved the silent majority can make a difference.The fight is not over! Yes, we stopped back-door benefits cuts, but seniors are still facing devastating reductions unless we change the way COLA calculations are made. The annual COLA was intended to offset rising costs due to inflation, and ensure that Social Security beneficiaries can keep up.We must save critical benefits. The current basis for determining the COLA is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which fails to reflect the rapidly rising health care costs faced by our elder population. These costs are increasing at a much faster pace than general inflation, diminishing retiree’s Social Security benefits the longer they live.Join the fight to protect our oldest citizens from poverty! The National Committee believes that, to be fair to seniors, the COLA should be based on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). The CPI-E’s formula is a better measure of the real-world costs of living on a fixed income.We need YOUR Support NOW!
Please let Washington know you support the CPI-E formula by joining the National Committee in its efforts today.The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is not affiliated with any political party or any branch of government.
Share this article: 
National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare
10 G Street, NE, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20002<---> <---> <---> © 2012 Independent Media Institute
All Rights Reserved
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San Francisco, CA 94105
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 22, 2012 at 6:18
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Support sacked agricultural workers in Peru. New book about Wisconsin uprising.Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.
Is it right to sack someone for joining a trade union?Ten union leaders - eight of them women - have been fired because they dared to organize.They work for Euro S.A. in Ica, Peru, a profitable agricultural export plantation. Euro S.A. is owned by Agricola Athos, which operates in five different regions in Peru and supplies produce to countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.The firings of these workers is part of a pattern of union-busting in Peru.We've been asked by the Confederación General de Trabajadores del Perú (CGTP), the largest national trade union center in the country, help get these workers their jobs back and to get their union recognized.Please take a moment to send off your message - click here:And please spread the word in your union.In brief ...- Last week we announced preliminary results of the Second Annual Survey of Trade Union Use of the Net -- results which we'd like to share with you and your union. I think we learned some interesting things which will help us as trade unionists make better use of the new technology. Read our report here.
- And here's a book we think many of you will want to own and read: Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street. In it, author John Nichols recounts the gripping story of the more than 100,000 public employees, teachers, students, and their allies who descended on the capital in Madison, Wisconsin in 2011 after Republican Gov. Scott Walker announced his plan to eliminate the right of public sector employees to unionize. If you buy the book through our unionised partner bookshop, you help support LabourStart as well. Click here to learn more.
Have a great weekend.Eric LeeCopyright © 2012 LabourStart, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this message because you opted in at our website (http://www.labourstart.org) - most likely when you signed up to support one of our online campaigns in support of workers' rights.
Our mailing address is:LabourStart4 Alexandra Park RoadLondon, England N10 2AA
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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 22, 2012 at 6:17
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Celebrating African American History Month 2012
Tea Party Congress can't
stop fight for equality
Featuring: Congressman Danny K. Davis
Sunday, February 26, 2 pm
Unity Center, 3339 S Halsted St., ChicagoHear the dynamic Congressman from Illinois's 7th district discuss the challenges facing us in 2012.
Hosts: PeoplesWorld.org, South Halsted Unemployed Action Center, Workers Education Society
For more info: 773-446-9925
=============================================As most everyone knows, the Beverly Unitarian Church has been our host and "god-parent" for almost ten years. Next week the church is hosting a forum on the issues of crime, justice, and reconciliation. This should be an interesting and provocative event. There are still seats available.
Please RSVP to: http://anyvite.com/zwf0pxte5v.
Or call 773.239.1439Concrete, Steel and PaintThe first forum will explore our understanding of crime, justice and reconciliation and begins with a showing of the award-winning film, Concrete, Steel, and Paint (55 min). After the film the audience will be invited to share their thoughts and reactions to the film in leader-led circle discussions. Circle discussions will be facilitated by trained circlekeepers: Linda Cooper, member of the Beverly Unitarian Church; Bob Koehler, syndicated peace journalist with the Huffington Post; and Sheila Murphy, retired judge and adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School. Decision-makers throughout Chicagoland will be invited to learn more about our understanding of these complicated issues that so impact all our lives
.Date & Time: Sunday, February 26 at 3:00 PM (CST)
Location: Beverly Unitarian Church
10244 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL
Get Map & Directions
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