Wednesday, October 26, 2011

THE HARTFORD COURANT & CORPORATE GREED

Photo above: Members of 32BJ and their labor and community supporters held a second demonstration today outside of the Hartford Courant to save janitors jobs. [See other photos below the article]

Members of labor unions and community organizations joined with their brothers and sisters of SEIU 32BJ in a second spirited demonstration today to stop the Hartford Courant from contracting non-union janitors. In a statement release by the 32BJ it noted that the Hartford Courant decided to bring in a non-union cleaning contractor on December 1st, at the expense of the eight long-term union cleaners. Some of the eight union workers have been with the Courant for over 20 years.

At the same time the Courant is cutting union jobs with health health insurance participates of the Management Incentive Program of the Courant parent company and the Courant stand to receive combined bonuses of up to $42,500,000 dollars. The fight to save union jobs at the Courant will continue.

You can reach Richard J. Graziano, Publisher of the Hartford Courant at 860-241-6780. Ask him to stop management bonuses and save the union jobs of the dedicated 32BJ workers.

Photo above: Peggy Buchanan, center holding the megaphone, President of the Hartford Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, gives unqualified support to the workers of 32BJ at the demonstation today.

Photo above: State Senator, John Fonfara, Deputy Majority Leader of the State Senate speaking into the megaphone said he will stand by the 32BJ workers and fight to help kept their jobs.

Posted by Tom Connolly

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

JOBS FOR HARTFORD, NOT GIVEAWAYS FOR THE HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY!!

Photo above: The four Working Families candidates for Hartford City Council lead a demonstration against the The Hartford Insurance Company on Oct. 18 to strop corporate welfare. From right to left the candidates are: Dr. Larry Deutsch, Joel Cruz, Cynthia Jennings and Luis Cotto. [See other photo's below]

The Hartford Insurance Company has benefited from public subsidies at the federal and the local level. In 2009, The Hartford received $3.4 billion in TARP federal funding. Hartford Insurance also received a Tax Fixing Agreement from the City of Hartford worth millions in property tax reductions. Both WFP members of the Council voted against the giveaway.

While the Hartford Insurance Company is enormously profitable--making over $1.5 billion in profit in 2010--the Hartford has eliminated over 2000 jobs in Connecticut in the last 4 years, and is planning to cut hundreds of more jobs. Working Families was joined at the demonstration by members of labor unions, Occupy Hartford and community groups.
Photo above: Penny Layne, 4 years old, is the littlest protested at the demonstration but she make lots of noise. Penny and her mom, Taylor, have been sleeping over at Occupy Hartford. Taylor was clear that we have to put jobs ahead of corporate profits.



Photo above: Dr. Larry Deutsch, a Working Families candidate, being interviewed by CT Fox News at the demonstration.

Posted by Tom Connolly

Monday, October 17, 2011

ANTI WAR, LABOR AND OCCUPY HARTFORD JOIN FORCES TO SAY "NO TO WAR AND BRING THE TROOPS AND WAR DOLLARS HOME"

Photo above: John Olsen, President of the CT AFL-CIO, is the lead speaker at the state capitol at the Bring the War Dollars Home march and rally held on Oct 16, 2011. [See additional photos below.]

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Hartford City Hall, marched to the State Capitol and then over to the Occupy Hartford across from the YWCA on Asylum street to say "No to War - Bring the Troops and War Dollars Home and Battle Super Rich and Corporate Greed." It was a very broad coalition of groups that included labor, anti-war, Occupy Hartford, community organizations and a broad range of political activists.

Hartford City Councilman Luis Cotto of the Working Families Party said, "You should be able to count on a job that pays the bills, health care for when you need it, a pension for when you retire, and an education for children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential." He also noted that "In Hartford alone based on the $34.8 million city taxpayers are paying toward the war the city could have health insurance of 13,116 low-income children for one year, it could fund 4,406 Head Start slots for one year, or 418 school teachers for one year, or 3,518 scholarships for college students for one year." [See additional photos below]













Posted by Tom Connolly

Saturday, October 15, 2011

THE OCCUPATION CONTINUES IN HARTFORD-COME JOIN THE POTLUCK DINNER THIS SUNDAY


The Occupy Hartford movement continues to gain support and grow. During the Hartford marathon road race today hundreds of the runners went by the Occupy Hartford and expressed support for the movement. [See other photos below]

A Occupy Hartford Potluck Dinner is planned for:

Date: Sunday Oct.16, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Turning Point Park @ Broad and Farmington/Asylum - Right across from the YWCA - For more directions call 860-384-0381

Roze, Alex Wilson and James Kozikouski holding signs on Farmington Ave. as traffic passes Occupy Hartford.

Jeffery Harris and Luke Johnson, both who have been homeless for several years join the Occupy Hartford movement.

Posted by Tom Connolly

Friday, October 14, 2011

Good Jobs Now for the 99 Percent

CT People's World Oct 14, 2011

An outpouring of protest against extreme wealth disparities and support for job creation took place across Connecticut this week, sparked by Occupy Wall St. and a national week of action for Jobs not Cuts.

Joining cities from coast to coast, Occupy Hartford and Occupy New Haven began with a wide variety of young people, social justice and peace activists, and union supporters coming together to say “enough is enough” to corporate greed. Many are unemployed or only able to get part time work. Similar events were held in Danbury and Branford in the name of the 99 percent being squashed by the richest one percent and big corporations.

An “Occupy Waterbury” march on Bank of America led by the Western Connecticut Labor Council, exposed the profitable bank's plans to charge a $5 credit card fee, lay off 30,000 people and charge fees to veterans.

In New Britain, AFSCME members gathered at New Britain High School to support the American Jobs Act to put Connecticut residents back to work rebuilding roads, bridges and schools.

A national teach-in “Students Rising for Jobs and Economic Justice” which was streamed live from the University of California, took place at Southern Connecticut State University with a call to action to participate in the upsurge of activity for jobs and justice in nearly every community.

In New Haven a honk and wave at the financial center near City Hall attracted honks in response to shouts for “Jobs not Cuts” and “Tax the Rich”. Signatures were collected for Congress to pass the American Jobs Act and put people back to work fixing up their communities.

In Hartford, a MoveOn rally at Sen Joe Lieberman's office called on him to take a stand for the people of Connecticut instead of the bankers on Wall St. by supporting the American Jobs Act. A rally and march from City Hall to the State Capitol “Money for Jobs and Education, Not War and Incarceration!” will be held Sunday.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME NOW!

JOIN THE MARCH AND RALLY TO BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME NOW!

DATE: SUNDAY OCT. 16, 2011
TIME: 2 pm
PLACE: Leave from City Hall in Hartford and march to the State Capitol
Posted by: Tom Connolly

DO NOT MISS THIS PERFORMANCE!

All the way from South Africa… Sharon Katz & The Peace Train-- with Special Guest: Abigail Kubeka


DATE: Sunday Oct. 30, 2011
TIME: 7 PM
PLACE: Unitarian Meeting House - 50 Bloomfield Ave. - Hartford, CT
TICKETS: $20.00 Adult -- 15 and under are FREE
CONTACT: Brian for tickets and info: 860-233-9897 EXT 102
- bmullen@ushartford.com


Discovered by Miriam Makeba when she was just 16, the now-legendary Abigail Kubeka makes her US debut this year to launch Double Take, a new CD just recorded in South Africa with Sharon Katz & The Peace Train. Their fall 2011 tour includes stops across New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

Soul-sisters Abigail and Sharon both grew up in South Africa under the old apartheid regime and had to hide from the police to perform their music, but Double Take shows how powerful voices can never be silenced. The songs go far beyond questioning the stories we’re told to believe; they make you want to dance, laugh, cry, shout, and hug somebody.

As a teenager, Abigail joined Miriam Makeba’s group The Skylarks. When the police would raid a club looking for black people who were violating apartheid’s unjust laws, Abigail and her bandmates had to pretend to be working in the kitchen. She later went on to perform throughout Africa, Europe and Asia; share the stage with Sarah Vaughn and Eartha Kitt; and sing for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited President Mandela. Abigail is also an accomplished actress who has starred on TV as well as the West End in London.

Sharon’s multicultural performing group broke apartheid’s barriers and made history in 1993 when they toured throughout South Africa aboard a train – The Peace Train – to promote Mandela’s vision of a nonracial democracy. When CNN filmed Sharon jumping out of a helicopter with her guitar in a remote area, to teach the rural people about the voting process through song, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train were propelled into an international career that has spanned three continents and coast-to-coast US appearances.


Don't miss it!!


Posted by Tom Connolly

Sunday, October 9, 2011

JOBS FOR YOUTH - JOBS FOR ALL!

Amistad Awards and Youth Performances
Anniversary Rally & Greeting Book

 
Sunday, December 4th at 4 pm at Cooperative Arts and
Humanities High School, 177 College St, New Haven
Greeting book deadline is November 19, 2011


We are excited to announce the recipients of this year's Amistad Awards which will be presented by the People's World on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4 pm at a special anniversary rally and youth cultural program, “Jobs for Youth – Jobs for All!” in New Haven at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, 177 College Street.

We rally in hope and unity to reject bigotry and fear and build the growing movement to pass national jobs legislation, rebuild the American Dream and put people before profits.

We celebrate the contributions and example of Renae Reese, Delphine Clyburn and Pastor Abraham Hernandez, three wonderful leaders and role models who challenge economic inequality and are in the forefront of organizing for jobs, health care and opportunities for youth. 
 
Renae Reese inspires grass roots organizing for economic rights and health care as director of the Connecticut Center for a New Economy. She is passionate for workers' safety and union rights, as past director of ConnectiCOSH and an organizer of UHP, AFT Local 3837 at UConn Health Center.

Delphine Clyburn is a Local 1199 union steward with years of dedication to equal rights on the job and in the community where she is leading the struggle for jobs for Newhallville residents in New Haven as an Alderwoman-elect, and involving young people to make social change.

Pastor Abraham Hernandez is recognized across Connecticut for his compassionate work with the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care and a decade of struggles for jobs for Latino and African American residents and for bringing Latino youth into the political process.

The annual awards are presented to allies by the People's World on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA.

We hope that you and your family and friends will attend. We invite your participation in this special annual greeting book to recognize the recipients, honor those who have gone before, and celebrate the leadership coming forward from youth today. The deadline is November 19, 2011.

GREETING BOOK:
Centerspread $350 - center two pages of the book
Patron page  $225 - special placement in the book
Full page    $125      
Half page    $65       
Quarter page $35          
Name         $10
Send  by e-mail to: ct-pww@pobox.com or mail to 37 Howe St, New Haven, CT  06511

TICKETS:
$10 each
$25 each for solidarity tickets (includes name in book)

Checks to People's World.  Mail to 37 Howe St, New Haven CT 06511

People's World Amistad Awards Committee
37 Howe Street, New Haven CT 06511
(203) 624-8664

Friday, October 7, 2011

OCCUPY WALL STREET GOES COAST TO COAST

The Occupy Wall Street movement has gone coast to coast. Join the action! See below.
The two photos below are from a recent organizing meeting of the Occupy Hartford movement. The next action is Friday Oct 7. The People's World story that follows is about the organizing effort in Los Angeles.

"MARCH WITH "OCCUPY HARTFORD"


WHEN: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 BEGINNING AT 5PM
WHERE: FROM BUSHNELL PARK. MEET AT ENTRANCE CLOSEST TO TRAIN STATION ON ASYLUM ST.
WHY: PROTESTING THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT MAKE MASSIVE PROFITS AND LEAVE US BROKE
WHO: THE NEWLY-FORMED "OCCUPY HARTFORD" ACTIVISTS

The following article is from the PEOPLE'S WORLD ON-LINE
People’s World On Line – It’s Free – Sign-Up: www.peoplesworld.org

LA JOINS THE "WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT MOVEMENT"

by: Rossana Cambron & Luis Rivas –

LOS ANGELES - On Oct 1 people in Los Angeles came together from all walks of life to join in solidarity with the Occupy Movement on Wall Street, calling on the banks to pay their fair share.

Chanting "Banks got bailed our, we got sold out" and "We are the 99 percent" referring the fact that 1 percent of the people make up the wealthiest while the 99 percent are losing their jobs and their homes, while students are burdened with crushing debt but have no prospects to finding a job.

Over 2,000 people came out, marching from Pershing Square to City Hall, where 300 plus camped out the first night. People are urged to join the Occupation, when they can, participate in the many committees formed to deal with the varied tasks.
According to participants, the occupation is a people's movement to show that you are sick and tired of this system and it needs changing. Over 100 cities across the country are organizing their own actions.

Occupy Los Angeles has been in the making since Sept. 23, working in solidarity with all the occupation movements around the country. As the case across the country, the majority of Occupy Los Angeles is made up of young people and students.
Andy Diaz, a journalism major at East Los Angeles College said, "We were promised a change in this country and I haven't seen it thus far. If you look at the doctrine of capitalism, it's just 'get wealthy by all means.' I believe we should work collectively, for the wellbeing of humanity in general."

Many local officials and other community members that feel affected by the economic crisis have begun to participate. Mario Brito, Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Councilmember, said, "You have 99 percent of the nation's wealth in the one percent's hands. You have to deal with the fact that banks were bailed out while people are being evicted. This country, you know, if there ever was ever an American Dream, that American Dream has surely become a nightmare."

Occupy Los Angeles made use of social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr to mobilize and encourage people to attend the meetings. The Los Angeles group's Facebook has grown on a daily basis.

Protest signs and fliers depict the popular Twitter hashtag: #OccupyLA, #OccupyLosAngeles, #OWSLosAngeles. They are riddled in thousands of tweets, and every occupation effort has a Facebook page, where local members post events or news updates, some doing so by the hour, by the minute and featuring live video streaming. Self-described Internet activist hacking group Anonymous has publically endorsed the occupation movements.

An anonymous video was uploaded on Sept. 26 by YouTube user xouchthathurtzx announcing its support of the occupation movement.

"Already we have made tremendous progress. In just a little over a week occupy initiatives have sprung up in over 30 U.S. cities. This is now bigger than you, or me. It is about us, a collective 99 percent that will no longer stand for the corruption, greed and inequality that is rampant within our governing bodies," Anonymous said in the video.

Nadir Romo, international affairs major at New York's New School of Social Research, has been following Occupy Wall Street and had this to say, "If people think we live in a democracy, then this is an example of how we do not live in a democracy because our resources are being diverted for financial gain against the people. I think that this is a very important event - the occupation is something that, I think, will continue to grow."

Joe Briones, cinema production major and member of the Ralph Bunches Scholar's program at Los Angeles City College, commented on how the Occupy movement affects students directly:

"One of the demands that the Occupy Wall Street group has come up with is that the wars end immediately and that the money be spent on infrastructure and schools. If they ended the wars, you know how much money there'd be for financial aid? Eliminating this whole student loan system. You're thousands of dollars in debt and there's no job to pay off the debt? That's a fucked up situation. If you're unhappy with those things, come to Occupy Los Angeles!"

People’s World On Line – It’s Free – Sign-Up: www.peoplesworld.org
Posted by Tom Connolly