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Friday, March 11, 2011

Trumka: 'Wisconsin Moment' an Opportunity to Move America Forward | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG #WIunion

Trumka: 'Wisconsin Moment' an Opportunity to Move America Forward | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Trumka: ‘Wisconsin Moment’ a Historic Opportunity to Move America Forward

by James Parks, Mar 10, 2011

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This Wisconsin Moment is a historic opportunity to come together and shift the national focus back to creating jobs and building middle-class living standards, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said today.

Speaking to the Campaign for America’s Future Summit on Jobs and America’s Future in Washington, D.C., Trumka said the “corruption of democracy” in Wisconsin presents a challenge and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for progressives:

As progressives it is our job to transform the outrage and make this moment a movement to ensure that this corruption in the Midwest does not stand.

In your lifetime have you ever seen this much solidarity, this much excitement, this much activism? And we have the immense responsibility to keep the fire lit and spark real change for America.


He also lambasted corporate CEOS and their politician puppets who use economic insecurity to divide people. CEOs misread the November 2010 election results, Trumka said.

They didn’t want to hear that we were demanding good jobs—big bold solutions to put America back to work. Instead they heard desperation and a willingness among working people to turn on one another—and they saw it as the green light to come after us in an unprecedented coordinated attack.

And now they’re seeing what backlash really looks like.

This is our time, he said:

… it’s time for progressives like us to earn our paychecks. It is our job to channel this Midwest uprising, this populist outcry into the large-scale creation of good jobs that can resuscitate America’s middle class, America’s people and our economy.

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NYC Public School Parents: Snowed Day

NYC Public School Parents: Snowed Day

Snowed Day

March 11, 2011 (GBN News): New York City public school students got an unexpected treat today – a snow day in 50 degree weather. Apparently, this was all due to a prank call to Chancellor Cathie Black from a woman purporting to be Caroline Kennedy. The caller was said to have asked the Chancellor for the day off because her son had forgotten to study for an exam. Not realizing that this was an imposter, Ms. Black immediately granted the request.

According to a source at the DOE, the former First Daughter was on a short list of people whom Mayor

Sanders introduces millionaire surtax to slash deficit | The Raw Story

Sanders introduces millionaire surtax to slash deficit | The Raw Story

Sanders introduces millionaire surtax to slash deficit

By Sahil Kapur
Friday, March 11th, 2011 -- 8:32 am
3 Share2521 19 Share4338 Share6 Share5

WASHINGTON – As Democrats and Republicans battle over how much spending should be cut to bridge the budget shortfall, one senator is focusing on the other side of the equation: revenues.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Thursday afternoon introduced abill (pdf) that would establish a surtax on millionaires and strip tax deductions for oil companies -- a proposal he claims would cut the deficit by about $50 billion.

The Emergency Deficit Reduction Act would accomplish this by raising taxes by 5.4 percent on annual income over $1 million.

Congress has yet to pass a budget to fund the government for fiscal 2011, approving three continuing resolutions to avoid a shutdown. The latest expires March 18. The Senate rejected the Democratic and Republican proposals Wednesday.

LARGE RALLY PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 12 AT THE STATE CAPITOL! More details *WEAC #wearewi #WIunion

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

Keep raising your voice!
The fight to restore
collective bargaining rights
begins NOW!

ANOTHER LARGE RALLY PLANNED
FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 12
AT THE STATE CAPITOL!
More details below


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.

In addition to events listed here, ongoing canvassing is taking place in many communities. Contact your UniServ office for deails in your area.

Check back often. This page is being constantly updated.

Join the conversation at facebook.com/myweac.


Ongoing event in Eau Claire: The UW-Eau Claire faculty union (AFT local #6481) is planning a protest every work day at 5:14 p.m. at the Downtown City Parking Lot at the corner of Farwell & Gray to thank our 14 Wisconsin Senators who were forced to leave the state.

Ongoing event in Menomonie: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. every day Monday through Friday, a peaceful march at the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Crescent Street in Menomonie. Signs available. Participants are welcome to come for whatever time they are available.

Ongoing activity in Chippewa Falls: Daily noon hour walk and protest. This walk will occur Monday-Friday starting in front of the Chippewa County Courthouse at noon and proceed down Bridge Street and back to the Courthouse. Bring appropriate signs.


FRIDAY, March 11

Wisconsin Dells:
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally for Wisconsin's Future and Worker Rights
Bowman Park (corner of Broadway & Bowman)

Milwaukee area:
4:15 to dark
Members in the Milwaukee area will be unfurling banners and waving signs at highway ovepasses with a special message of thanks to the Wisconsin 14. The event will take place at several overpasses throughout the Milwaukee area. More detail will follow.

Milwaukee - Madison:
P.O.W.E.R. Walk from Milwaukee to Madison. People Organizing Wisconsin for Education and Worker’s Rights (P.O.W.E.R.) are Wisconsinites who support public education and collective bargaining rights for all workers. Inspired by the ideals of “Fighting Bob” La Follette, we are walking from Milwaukee to Madison to support the Wisconsin Idea. Start at Riverside High School, 615 East Locust Street, Milwaukee Friday @ 6 AM. For more details or to commit to walking, contact POWER at power.wisconsin@gmail.com.

Milwaukee:

6:30 a.m.
MICAH, Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope Rally at Saint Matthews CME Church
2944 North 9th Street Milwaukee.
This rally is the kick off for the weekend bus convoy to Madison where we will assemble the largest number of supporters possible

Delavan:

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally and picketing
Delavan-Darien High School and Wisconsin School for the Deaf

Sturgeon Bay:
We LOVE our Teachers and support staff and all public employees PARTY!
Draft Haus, 901 Egg Harbor Road, Sturgeon Bay
$5 per person

Minocqua:
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rally in Support of Senator Jim Holperin
North side of the bridge

Watertown:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Watertown All Union Rally
Watertown Public Library, 100 Water Street

Wisconsin Dells:
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally Bowman Park, 919 Bowman Rd (turn N @ Broadway from Hwys 13-16-23)

Spooner:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sidewalk Rally for Rights
Corner of River & Walnut Sts.
Please use public parking lots


SATURDAY, March 12

COME TO MADISON SATURDAY FOR A HUGE RALLY!

This may be the largest Madison rally yet!