NEED ACTION ON IMMIGRATION REFORM

FROM:  THE CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMY

Time is running out to pass important immigration reform bills in Connecticut.   The session ends June 5th, and when it does will we be able to look back and say we expanded economic opportunity in our state?

Join CCNE, CIRA, CIVIC, immigrants, faith, community and labor leaders from across the state for a mass Immigration Rally and Multicultural Festival this Saturday, June 1st at 1:00pm in Hartford's Bushnell Park.




Let's say no to racial profling and the separation of families. Let's fight for our dreams - to live free from fear and discrimination in welcoming communities where everyone is treated with dignity. Help us pass critical immigration reform bills while celebrating our diversity and having some fun with your family and neighbors. 

And to stay up to date on immigration reform efforts and the broader movement for economic and racial justice, be sure to "like" CCNE's facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Connecticut-Center-for-a-New-Economy/27935807063?ref=hl

Posted by Tom Connolly

TODAY'S DEMO - STOP THE KOCH BROTHERS

About 100 labor and community activists attended a 12 noon demonstration toady at the Hartford Courant  to stop the Koch brothers from buying the Courant. [See Photos Below]
 Background - By The Working Families Party.

The Koch brothers are the right-wing duo infamous for funding the Tea Party. Now they want to buy their own media empire to spread their extreme views -- including the Hartford Courant, and its parent, the Tribune Company.

The Kochs have spent their fortune funding anti-worker candidates like Scott Walker and right-wing lobbying groups like ALEC. They even warned tens of thousands of their employees that there would be "consequences" if they didn't vote for Republicans. Not exactly the kind of guys I want running the most respected newspaper in Connecticut. Isn't one Rupert Murdoch enough?

The Hartford Courant is a valuable source of honest journalism. We can't let it turn into a right-wing mouthpiece.

Posted by Tom Connolly

DEMO THIS WED. MAY 29TH - SAY NO TO THE KOCH BROTHERS!

In light of the fact that the Tribune Company is meeting on Thursday, May 30th where the sale to the Koch Brothers will be discussed, a rally is planned in Hartford and other Tribune sites:

Stop the Sale of the Courant to Koch Brothers Rally

Wednesday, May 29

12 Noon -- In Front of the LOB

March from park in front of Legislative Office Building (corner of Broad and Capitol) to the Hartford Courant, Broad Street, Hartford.

Hope you can join us for this very short (less than one hour) protest rally. 

From: Hartford Labor Council

Posted by: Tom Connolly

Scott Walker NOT WECOME IN CONNECTICUT!

STAMFORD, Conn. - As Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker was wined and dined by Republicans inside the swanky Stamford Hilton hotel, outside a giant 12 foot rat and corporate pig attracted honks of support as demonstrators chanted "Scotty Walker what a joke! He's in love with the Brothers Koch!"

Members of a dozen unions and community groups organized the protest to make it clear that the voters of Connecticut will not tolerate corporate attempts to enact anti-union "right to work" laws in this state.

Josh Herty, who moved to Connecticut after losing his job in Wisconsin under Walker's budget cutting policies, told the crowd, "Not only did I lose my job, many people with an education are unemployed in Wisconsin because there are no jobs to be had now. Scott Walker, go home!"

Rene Soto, community organizer with the Stamford immigrant organization CRISOL (Coalition of Residents and Immigrants in Solidarity), declared that as someone who is opposed to immigration reform, "Walker is not welcome here."

"It was a shame what you did in Wisconsin," said Harold Brooks, vice president of AFSCME Local 3144 whose members filled a bus from New Haven. "It's immoral to pay low wages. It's immoral to take away dignity and contractual rights from workers. I stand with my union to protect bargaining rights for all!"

John Olsen, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO decried Walker for refusing federal funds for mass transit in his state. "Anyone who turns down funding because of ideology should be run out of office," declared Olsen, urging those present to make their voices heard at the ballot box for worker-friendly candidates.

A video promo for the annual Republican dinner lauded Walker, attacked Olsen and called on Connecticut to do away with unions. At the dinner, featuring probable Republican candidates for Governor in 2016, Jerry Labriola, chair of the state Republican Party said Walker "could be a role model for how we solve our problems."

Walker's policies have cut funding for public schools, for health care, and for services that public workers provide to the community in Wisconsin. As a result Wisconsin is 44th in the nation for job creation.  Prior to Governor Walker and the Republican legislature, Wisconsin was one of the most progressive states in the nation with all major positions held by Democrats.

With the election of Democrats Governor Danell Malloy and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in Connecticut, Republican leaders openly hope for the same flip here. They welcomed the opportunity to take Walker's message nation wide.

The Walker plan has been devastating for all working class and rural communities, cutting taxes for millionaires, cutting funds for public education and health care, and blocking wind power and a federally funded high speed rail project.

Walker's allies in Wisconsin's Republican legislature even attempted to place additional restrictions on what food items can be purchased with food stamps. In stark contrast, Sen. Murphy is making headlines this week as he lives on a food stamp budget of $4.80 a day to protest possible budget cuts.

"We don't need Scott Walker here," said Dave Roche, president of the Connecticut State Council of Building Trades. Referring to the funding by the right-wing Koch brothers of Walker's campaign, Roche added, "The Koch brothers are trying to buy newspapers here in Connecticut. We say, get the hell out!"

by Joelle Fishman   People's World   May 23, 2013

SIGN THE FUTURE'S SB 619

SB 619, which sets up a Future's Commission in our state charged with  developing a plan to move from a war dependent  economy to a peace based economy, has passed both the State House and State Senate.

It is now up to the Governor to sign it.

The  Peace Action alert below suggests that people call their Representative to thank them  for supporting SB619 and  call the Governor's office to ask him to sign SB619. 

You can reach an aide for your representative by calling 860-240-8500 and  you can leave a message with your name and address.

 For the Governor's Office  call Toll Free (800) 406-1527 . Please make this call asking the Governor to sign this bill.

Connecticut is leading the nation on raising the critical issue of  peace conversion.

Please pass this information on.

Posted by Tom Connolly