Two Black workers who made history
BALTIMORE — Helen Evans was turning the pages of an album of photos of her father, Joseph P. Henderson, when her eye fell on a picture of him as a Laborers union organizer in Washington, D.C., during the 1940s.
New actions urged in Oscar Grant murder
OAKLAND, Calif. — Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff is being pressed to take new actions, after additional video footage was made public late last month, showing what happened in the moments before Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old unarmed African American, was shot in the back by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle early New Year morning.
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.
As layoffs spread, pressure grows to pass recovery act
The news that another 100,000 workers have lost their jobs sent a shock wave across the nation even as President Obama visited Capitol Hill Jan. 27 to urge quick approval of his $825 billion economic stimulus package.
Ohio town hall calls for end to raids
ASHTABULA, Ohio — Labor, community and religious leaders called for a united effort to end inhuman immigration raids, arrests and deportations at a town hall meeting here.
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.
Music and history light up Lincoln Memorial
WASHINGTON — The Lincoln Memorial, a site for many an important demonstration for civil rights, became the moving backdrop Jan. 18 for “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.”
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.
