Farmworkers march for historic bill
SACRAMENTO – Thousands of marchers besieged the state capitol on Aug. 25, demanding Governor Gray Davis (D) sign a bill that would make history for those who toil in the fields of this state.
Bush blocks funds for 9/11 rescue workers
At his Waco, Tex., CEO pep rally on the economy, President Bush announced he intended to enforce “spending restraint” by blocking a $5.1 billion emergency spending bill passed by Congress which included $90 million for long-term health monitoring of World Trade Center (WTC) rescue workers and volunteers who were exposed to a catastrophe with potential long-term health and environmental consequences.
Its unpatriotic to steal workers pensions
CLEVELAND – This is what steelworkers are saying as they build a campaign to save their pensions that are being sacrificed on the altar of corporate bankruptcies and outright theft by corrupt executives.
Longshore negotiations Key battle for democratic rights
Commentary The contract battle of the West Coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has emerged as a decisive struggle for workers rights and democracy in our nation.
Earth Summit to act on poverty, environment
JOHANNESBURG – The United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) opened on Aug. 26 here. Over 20,000 participants are expected to attend.
Expulsion of Arab teacher denounced
TAMPA, Fla. – On the basis of secret evidence he has never seen, Palestinian college instructor Mazen Al-Najjar was removed from a federal prison, Aug. 23, hustled aboard a private jet and deported leaving behind his wife and three daughters who are U.S. citizens.
Opposition grows to war with Iraq
Growing opposition to the Bush administration’s planned attack on Iraq, even from prominent right-wing Republicans, provides a “window of opportunity” to prevent such a war, Kathy Kelly, coordinator of Voices in the Wilderness, a humanitarian group working to end economic sanctions against Iraq, told the World. “I hope every grassroots group will develop a committed nonviolent resistance campaign, including sit-ins at Congressional offices if need be,” to stop a U.S. war on Iraq, she said.
International notes
Colombia: unionists face death threat/Canada: ‘Big Three’ face big strike/Portugal: Defense minister warns against general strike/Slovakia: Anti-civil liberties move fails/Mexico: Workers aim to block private power plan/Indonesia: Workers protest vs. Nike
Canadian workers oppose planned U.S. attack on Iraq
In a statement issued on August 20, Ken Georgetti, president of the 2.5 million-member Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) said, 'Canadian workers are watching with growing disbelief the U.S. government’s preparations for a full-scale attack against Iraq and they want nothing to do with it.
Israel expels international witnesses
TEL AVIV – A group of 48 French citizens who had traveled to Israel was stopped at the Tel Aviv airport and denied entry on Aug. 20 when the Israeli government declared them personae non grata. The group had come to Israel at the invitation of the Hadash Front, an Israeli peace group, led by Issam Mahoul, a member of the Knesset. Among its members were young people of different backgrounds, including several of Jewish heritage.
