MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE: BAMN organizes to save schools | Dailycensored.com #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE: BAMN organizes to save schools | Dailycensored.com

MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE: BAMN organizes to save schools

Written by Danny WeilEducationFeb 27, 2011

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SAVE OUR CITY!

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS, JOBS & SERVICES!

All Out for the March 2 National Day of Action

Wednesday, March 2nd:

RALLY at 12PM – at Gullen Mall, Wayne State University

MARCH at 1PM down Woodward towards downtown

4:30PM – Rally at City/County Building (2 Woodward Ave., in front of Spirit of Detroit)

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MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE

www.bamn.com (313) 585-3637 donna.stern@bamn.comafscme207@sbcglobal.net

Endorsed by: AFSCME Locals 25, 101, 207, 214, 312, 409, 1642, & 1659; The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN); Defend Public Education / Save Our Students (a caucus in the Detroit Federation of Teachers)

313-965-1601 313-995-5691 313-638-1022

The Answer Sheet - 2 false claims that drive school reform

The Answer Sheet - 2 false claims that drive school reform

2 false claims that drive school reform

This was written by Paul Thomas, an associate professor of education at Furman University in South Carolina, and published in The Greenville News. By Paul Thomas "Accountability," "merit," "choice," and "competition" are compelling to most Americans because they speak to our faith in rugged individualism. As South Carolina faces yet another year of budget shortfalls that jeopardize many aspects of the state budget—notably education—we must look especially close at new policies and proposals that are driven by ideology but not supported by evidence. Two ideas being considered now that deserve our skepticism are merit-based teacher pay and increased funding for charter schools. From President Obama and Secretary of Education Duncan to the misleading documentary "Waiting for Superman" to the new reformers (Bill Gates, Geoffrey Canada, and Michelle Rhee), the public is bombarded by a false claim that teacher quality is the most important element in student learning and public education

Trumka: ‘This Is Not About a Budget Crisis’ | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

Trumka: ‘This Is Not About a Budget Crisis’ | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Trumka: ‘This Is Not About a Budget Crisis’ by Donna Jablonski, Feb 27, 2011

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“No person should have to face the loss of their rights or the loss of their jobs,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said today on NBC’s Meet the Press. His remarks came in response to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) threat to begin laying off public employees if he doesn’t get his way on a sham budget bill that would strip away collective bargaining rights.

Governors with state budget problems who sit down and bargain with public employees can solve problems, Trumka said, but Walker’s attack is not about budgets. Public workers have agreed to fiscal concessions Walker’s budget bill seeks, but in his drive to kill bargaining rights Walker has refused.

Speaking with Meet the Press host David Gregory, Walker doubletalked his way around why he has refused the concessions. Ironically, Walker portrayed himself as the defender of local budgets against the big, bad public servants, ignoring a plea by more than 200 local officials that he stop his attack on middle-class workers and their rights. As a county executive, Walker launched an over-the-top attack on public employees, overstepping his own bargaining team, that was blocked by arbitrators and a restraining orders.

Walker’s refusal to accept the offer by public employees reveals that this fight is “not about a budget crisis,” Trumka said, citing studies showing that the state’s public workers areunderpaid compared with private-sector workers, the state’s pension plan is almost fully funded and states that block collective bargaining have massive debts.

Responding to Gregory’s “what comes next” question, Walker kept the “bully” in bully pulpit, saying if Democratic legislators who have fled the state to stymie a vote on Walker’s bill don’t return, he’ll begin laying off state workers.

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The Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh - You Can't Blame The Youth

Lessons for Wisconsin From the Flint Sit-Down Strikes of 1936-37 « Larry Miller's Blog #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

Lessons for Wisconsin From the Flint Sit-Down Strikes of 1936-37 « Larry Miller's Blog

Lessons for Wisconsin From the Flint Sit-Down Strikes of 1936-37

by millerlf

By Mark Naison from the History New Network at http://hnn.us/articles/136764.html

Mark Naison is a Professor of African-American Studies and History at Fordham University and Director of Fordham’s Urban Studies Program. He is the author of three books and over 100 articles on African-American History, urban history, and the history of sports. His most recent book, White Boy: A Memoir, was published in the spring of 2002

With the state legislature in Wisconsin occupied and surrounded by thousands of state workers and their supporters, and with schools closed throughout the state because of teachers calling in sick, I cannot help but think of the greatest strike and building occupation in the history of the American labor movement—the Flint Sit-Down Strikes of 1936-37. Though the Wisconsin struggle is being led by government workers, and the Flint strikes involved workers involved in automobile production, both movements took place during the worst economic crisis of their era and were fighting for the same goal— collective bargaining rights for working people

Events continue throughout the state! #WEAC #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

activities | Support Our Union | Legislative Resources | Issues & Advocacy | Wisconsin Education Association Council

Events continue throughout the state!

Keep raising your voice!

Background Article: Labor leaders ask Wisconsin citizens to come to the State Capitol (join the conversation here) Also join the conversation at facebook.com/myweac.

Note: AFSCME also is maintaining a list of activities and events. If you don't see an event in your community here you may find one on the AFSCME activities list.

Check back often. This page is being constantly updated.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Madison:
You are welcome to protest at the State Capitol, but there is no organized rally and no buses scheduled.

Support Crowd: As we all know the committed folks who have been at the Capitol for over 13 days now will be asked to leave by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. We want this to be a positive experience and would love to have a crowd of supporters at the Capitol to greet them and thank them when they walk out. We will be using the door on State Street which is symbolic –State Street is where our Rallies started. While people will be asked to leave-the Capitol- this fight is far from over- people will be back again on Monday and Tuesday. So please help us get people there to stand with these committed people who have called Capitol City their home these last two weeks. So let’s show our support and thank them for standing strong with us. Please plan to be at the State Street entrance of the Capitol outside by 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Milwaukee:
Rally to protect collective bargaining rights
1:00 - 3:00
Milwaukee Area Technical College, 1015 N. 6th St.

West Bend:
Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Paradise & Main Streets

Randon Lake:
Random Lake United Education Association Rally - Fredonia (Ozaukee County) – 3:30 pm to 5pm -
The event follows the West Bend rally. Meet at Ozaukee County Express Park and Ride, St. Hwy. 57 and Co. Hwy. H in Fredonia.

Fond du Lac:
Targeted Canvass:
10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet at the Winnebagoland UniServ offices at 325 Trowbridge Drive, Fond du Lac
This is more than just a run-of-the-mill door knocking!

Fredonia:
3:30 p.m. to 5:00
The event follows the West Bend rally and is hosted by Random Lake United Education Association.
Meet at Ozaukee County Express Park and Ride (St. Hwy. 57 and Co. Hwy. H in Fredonia).

Marshfield:
1:00-2:30 p.m. rally
We will gather in the parking lot behind Marshfield City Hall, 630 South Central Avenue.
The event will proceed slowly up and down Central Ave. and conclude back at the parking lot.

Reedsburg:
2:30-3:30 pm, rally, Location TBA

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Dodgeville:
Public hearing
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Event begins at 6 p.m.
Dodgeville high School Gymnasium
912 W Chapel St

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Here are some guidelines to follow if you are planning public demonstrations or picketing:

1. Notify local law enforcement of your plans and make sure you follow whatever reasonable guidelines they request. Better for law enforcement to know what we are doing and why before getting misleading calls from irate neighbors or businesses.
2. Make sure you stay on public property and sidewalks.
3. Do not obstruct driveways, entrances to businesses, or disrupt traffic on streets. This will guarantee police intervention.
4. Have a picketline captain present at all times in charge of maintaining order and all discussions with police or anyone complaining.
5. Be vocal but civil and peaceful. The opposition will use any violence to discredit us and divert attention from our message.
6. If anyone is arrested, contact me on my cell (608)770-6666 and I will arrange for local legal representation.
7. If local law enforcement is imposing unreasonable restrictions designed to prevent the action, politely work your way up the line of authority and if that fails call me.

Big Cuts For Us, Big Salaries For Them - AwakeTheState.com #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

ProgressFlorida | Feb 25, 2011 | 19 likes, 0 dislikes

Average Floridians are fed up with politicians who balance the budget on the backs of hard-working Floridians. Florida cannot afford more cuts to education, health care, economic infrastructure, and environmental protection while at the same time we give huge tax breaks to those who can afford to hire the most politically connected lobbyists.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and his fellow GOP leaders in the legislature, President Haridopolos and Speaker Cannon, love to wax poetic about belt tightening, fiscal conservatism, and making due with less. However, when it comes to their own offices, Florida taxpayers are just a blank check.

Take action at AwakeTheState.com

Support Needed Today, Sunday, at the Capitol at 3:30 « Larry Miller's Blog #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

Support Needed Today, Sunday, at the Capitol at 3:30 « Larry Miller's Blog

Support Needed Today, Sunday, at the Capitol at 3:30

by millerlf

As we all know the committed folks who have been at the Capitol for
over 13 days now will be asked to leave by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. We
want this to be a positive experience and would love to have a crowd
of supporters at the Capitol to greet them and thank them when they
walk out. We will be using the door on State Street which is symbolic
-State Street is where our Rallies started. While people will be asked
to leave-the Capitol- this fight is far from over- people will be back
again on Monday and Tuesday. So please help us get people there to
stand with these committed people who have called Capitol City their
home these last two weeks. So let’s show our support and thank them
for standing strong with us. Please plan to be at the State Street
entrance of the Capitol outside by 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky's blog #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Sunday links.

by Fred Klonsky

Wisconsin’s Governor Walker thinks David Rhode, a paramedic from Middleton, is the cause of the state budget deficit.

Congress wants to kill Big Bird and Elmo. Don’t let them.

“Enough is enough!” David Kirui, an English teacher at Martin Luther King High School in East Germantown, told the crowd.

Ed Secretary Arne Duncan thinks the Wisconsin governor and the unions should try to be more