Anguished families search historic Black cemetery for graves of relatives
The message on the website is terse: “If you have family or a loved one buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, please email your information or call our designated hotline. All inquiries regarding the Burr Oak Cemetery Investigation will receive a personal response, but we ask for your patience, as the requests have been overwhelming.”
New report finds racial profiling pervasive
A new report jointly authored by the Rights Working Group and the American Civil Liberties Union found that racial profiling by law enforcement agencies still persists on our nation's roadways, in airports, and near our border and urges Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA).
Swine flu shows need for health reform, says Sebelius
While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated this week that as many as 1 million Americans may have contracted the H1N1 virus, it doesn't seem to be any more dangerous than the seasonal flu, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters on a teleconference call, July 10.
White House meets with Congress on immigration reform
After two postponements, President Barack Obama recently carried out a key meeting with Democratic and Republican members of Congress at the White House There was guarded optimism from the immigrants’ rights movement in response to the meeting. But all agree that there will be no progress without increased struggle from the grassroots.
Senators reveal details of health care public option
Two of the senators who are writing the health care reform bill are talking now about details of the public option, the part of the plan that, despite support from 70 percent of the public, has drawn the most vehement opposition from the insurance industry.
Chicago plays host to nations library leaders as library use soars
CHICAGO — As job-seekers, families and students rely on free library resources, more than 25,000 library leaders and library supporters gather July 9 – 15 here to discuss the challenges facing U.S. libraries caused by increased usage during tough economic times. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference is the largest library gathering of its kind in the world.
Depp fills big screen, yet plot shrinks it
A film expert once told me that historic “period” movies are more about current events and context than they are about that historic time or character. So I was particularly excited to see “Public Enemies.” What would a historic movie about a Robin Hood-like gangster who lived during the Great Depression when millions of people were out of work while banks were still making lot of money have to say about today? People hated the banks then, people hate the banks now. Seems like a sure thing.
Summer reading
This eclectic list of summer reading faves from People’s Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo readers and supporters was collected via e-mail and Facebook. Have other ideas? E-mail us ator contact us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/peoplesworld.
RI war vet, 93, honored with Spanish citizenship
In 1937, John Hovan volunteered to travel to Spain and fight on the side of democracy against Gen. Franciso Franco's fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War. Now, at age 93, he's being honored with Spanish citizenship for his service as a transport driver. On Thursday, the Spanish consul general in Boston is scheduled to visit Hovan's home so that he can sign citizenship papers.
Doctor walks 700 miles for health care reform
In an effort to expose the failures of the current health care system, Dr. Ogan Gurel, 45, is trekking nearly 700 miles on foot from Chicago to Washington D.C. in order to bring to the attention of lawmakers the real hardships and suffering of people he meets on the way, when it comes to the lack of health care.
