WORLD NOTES
Bolivia: Congress rejects president’s resignation / Uruguay: President sets a new course / Africa: Over 80 million could die of AIDS / Nepal: Some unionists freed, crisis continues / Bangladesh: Fired workers reinstated
White House seeks to block food sales to Cuba
The Bush administration wants to close a hole in the U.S. economic blockade against Cuba. Congress passed legislation in 2000 opening up sales of U.S. farm products to the island nation, but machinations at U.S ports and a recent Treasury Department pronouncement suggest that the Bush administration is scheming to put an end to such sales. Congresspeople from the farm states, however, are not falling into line.
Italian reporter: My truth and consequences of a dirty war
Little did Giuliana Sgrena know that after she had been released by her captors in Iraq she faced a bigger obstacle to her freedom: the U.S. occupation forces.
Town hall meetings criticize privatization
DALLAS — Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) spoke at four town hall meetings on Social Security here during the weekend of March 4-6. Three were held in union halls.
Union vigil at Harlem Hospital: Stop Medicaid cuts
NEW YORK — It was bitterly cold outside Harlem Hospital here March 4, but protesters were fired up. Their malfunctioning bullhorn, intermittently sounding like the Emergency Broadcast System, provided an appropriate signal: Harlem Hospital, Medicaid and poor people are facing an emergency.
Bush budget forces horrific cuts on Connecticut
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New Haveners gathered to learn and express growing concerns about the devastation the Bush administration’s federal budget cuts would cause in Connecticut at a Feb. 16 public hearing sponsored by the city of New Haven Peace Commission.
States slam Bush education law
PHILADELPHIA — The No Child Left Behind Act has wreaked havoc on our nation’s public school system, according to state lawmakers. A bipartisan panel of state legislators issued a scathing report, Feb. 23, on President Bush’s education law, calling it unworkable, inflexible, impractical and unconstitutional. The report accuses NCLB of setting unobtainable goals and not funding the demands it makes. click here for Spanish text
March 19 actions planned in Los Angeles, San Francisco
Organizers in Los Angeles are preparing for a massive march and rally on the March 19 global day of protest. Marchers will gather at 12 noon at Hollywood and Vine. Thousands of people should be there. A contingent from the Southern California CPUSA is planned.
Global Day of Protest: March 19
End the War * Bring the Troops Home Rebuild our Communities
IFTU condemns Iraqi unionists murder
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) is mourning the loss of martyred trade unionist and member of the Oil and Gas Workers Union, Ali Hassan Abd (Abu Fahad), assassinated Feb. 18 by terrorist extremists while returning with his children to his home in Baghdad, near the Al Dorah Oil Refinery.
