Rally calls for moratorium on school closings
CHICAGO – Hundreds of teachers, parents, students, union leaders and local activists rallied here Jan. 28th at the Chicago Board of Education building against the boards plan to close, consolidate, phase out and turnaround more than 20 schools. Protesters led a march downtown chanting with signs in hand speaking out against the measure which they say will displace students and teachers, throw communities in turmoil, put hundreds out of work and undermine public education in Chicago.
Obamas stimulus plan must be passed now
The $825 billion stimulus plan proposed by Congress and applauded by Barack Obama should be approved immediately. Despite some noted imperfections — probably too much is dedicated to tax cuts, and even though it is the biggest rescue program in U.S. history it is likely just the beginning of the recovery effort — time is of the essence. If some concessions to Republicans on tax cuts gain speed in delivering jobs and income to American workers, then let it be so!
This land is our land
Pete Seeger, legendary folk singer and labor, civil rights and peace activist, joined by Bruce Springsteen and Seeger's grandson Tao Seeger, leads the crowd in singing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”
A new era begins: Millions celebrate Obamas call to remake America
WASHINGTON — With millions looking on, Barack Obama took the oath as 44th president of the United States, Jan. 20, and summoned the people to join in the struggle to remake America, reeling from two wars and a worsening economic crisis.
California careens toward budget cliff
As California’s budget continued to careen headlong toward the cliff of insolvency, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week delivered a state-of-the-state address shorn of the bold pronouncements that marked his five previous addresses.
Burris likely to be seated in Senate
CHICAGO — It appears that an agreement is in the works that may allow former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to be seated as the next U.S. senator from Illinois, filling President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant seat.
Educators call for school funding as key stimulus ingredient
The American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and American Association of School Administrators are urging Congress and President-elect Obama to ensure education funding is part of the 2009 stimulus package.
Asians, Latinos, immigrants vote in record numbers
The We Are America Alliance (WAAA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan national coalition of 14 groups said in a post-election press conference that there was a record turnout of Asian, Latino and immigrant voters on Nov. 4.
It aint over til its over
The Georgia AFL-CIO has plunged into the fight to oust Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and elect Vietnam veteran Jim Martin, a liberal pro-labor Democrat, in Georgia’s Dec. 2 runoff election.
OPINION: New opportunity for immigration reform
With the new Obama administration and an enhanced Democratic majority in Congress, we can make new advances on immigrants' rights. In the last few years the Bush administration dropped all pretense of being immigrant-friendly. Enforcement actions were greatly increased.
