Bush, religious right target churches
Fighters for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are voicing alarm that 228 years after the nation’s birth, George W. Bush and the ultra-right are waging a ferocious assault on separation of church and state, a pillar of democracy and toleration.
Dont get sick
Each year 2.7 million federal workers are guaranteed 13 days of paid sick time. Many state employees are guaranteed the same or even more.
Labor, community defeat L.A. County budget cuts
LOS ANGLES – Led by Service Employees International Union Local 660, the labor movement and the community have defeated proposals for drastic cuts in public services in Los Angeles County.
School unions rally to stop 3,200 layoffs
DETROIT – Over 800 members of the Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions rallied at the Detroit Public Schools Board meeting on June 17 to protest the board’s plan to lay off 3,200 workers, including 900 teachers, before September.
David vs. Goliath in Evergreen State
EVERETT, Wash. – A small public utility district here with 290,000 customers has been catapulted into national prominence by lifting the curtain on Enron energy traders gleefully conspiring to steal money from “those poor grandmothers in California.
Congress OKs massive theft of Native land
The “Western Shoshone Distribution Bill” (S 618/HR 884) has passed both houses of Congress and is on its way to the Bush administration for signature.
International notes
Angola: Parliament OKs AIDS bill / Israel: Ex-soldiers open exhibit on harassment / Honduras: Teachers block roads for pay hike
58 students, 57 teachers: Cuba tackles autism
HAVANA – At the Dora Alonso school for autistic children there are 58 students and 57 teachers. The school is bright, colorful and clean. It is in the middle of a campus full of schools.
National Clips
CHARLESTON, S.C.: Independent truckers strike ports / SAVANNAH, Ga.: City Council condemns Patriot Act / WASHINGTON, D.C.: Protests over juvenile death penalty
Caravan to Cuba defies new U.S. restrictions
MILWAUKEE – Activists held a day-long series of events here for the 15th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba. Since 1992, the caravan has challenged the U.S. embargo by sending busloads of aid to the Cuban people (80 tons last year).
