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Right-wing campus network increasing |
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by Bryan G. Pfeifer, bgp (nospam) iacboston.org |
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As the 2005 spring semester begins, students across the United States will confront an increasingly sophisticated multi-million dollar right-wing campus network bankrolled by some of the largest conservative philanthropies, think-tanks and corporations. Like the right-wing lie of the so-called ‘liberal’ media, the same is true of the so-called ‘liberal’ university. The three largest conservative campus organizations are the innocuous-sounding Young America’s Foundation (YAF), Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) and the Leadership Institute which spent approximately $25 million on various campus outreach programs in 2004. |
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26 Jan 2005
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Filed under: News / Education : Politics |
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Springfield unions fight back against control board attacks |
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by Bryan G. Pfeifer, bgp (nospam) iacboston.org |
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Members of Springfield’s Finance Control Board, under the guise of achieving fiscal solvency, are stepping up their attacks on workers and their communities here. Special targets are vital city services and public-sector union workers like the teachers who are entering their fourth year of a wage freeze. On Dec. 21, Philip Puccia, the Financial Board’s executive director sent a letter to the Springfield Education Association informing the 2,500 teachers and 3,000 retirees in the teachers' union that the board was going to vote at its next meeting to increase deductibles and co-payments for all services except office visits and prescription drugs effective April 1. |
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19 Jan 2005
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Filed under: News / Education : Labor : Politics |
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Youth Organized Anti-War Rally Sets the Mood for Resistance |
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by Jamie Phillips, visnusdream (nospam) hotmail.com |
 Up and coming youth activists may be just the thing to breathe fresh life into Boston’s anti-war movement. Protesters at December 4th’s rally, which started at the Boston Commons bandstand and included a march down Newbury Street, exhibited an enthusiasm not seen at earlier demonstrations this year. More than 15 persons spoke and led the crowd in chanting various slogans, such as “Drop Bush Not Bombs!!!” and “Money for Schools Not War!!!” The day was peaceful for the most part, although after the march a group of about 50 persons decided to challenge the police and “take to the streets,” blocking traffic. Pushing matches and harsh words ensued but no arrests or serious injuries have been reported. |
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06 Dec 2004
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Filed under: News / Education : International : Organizing |
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City plays catch-up with Boston's bicycle activists |
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by Pete Stidman, pstidman (nospam) yahoo.com |
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Back in September city councilors appeared surprised by the number of attendees at a hearing for crosswalk safety and the amount of anger they brought to the meeting. After last nights hearing, called to consider both bike safety in general and the appointment of a “bike czar” for the city, they should now realize that they have awoken a sleeping monster. Activists and citizens packed the Ianella chamber and instead of a line of individuals sounding off the hearing began with a well-organized power point presentation to the councilors by an informal organization of bicyclists and pedestrians. A comprehensive bike safety plan was requested and drawn out in detail for the councilors. |
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24 Nov 2004
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Filed under: News / Education : Environment : Organizing : Politics : Social Welfare : Technology |
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Interview: Krzysztof Krol of the Polish Anarchist Federation |
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by Pete Stidman, pstidman (nospam) yahoo.com |
 During a workshop on solidarity economics at the WoGan Decriminalizing Resistance conference last weekend (November 12th-13th) I met Krzysztof Krol, a member of the Anarchist Federation of Poland who resides at the Rozbrat Collective in the Polish city of Poznan. Of the many participators in that particular workshop only the two non-U.S. presenters seemed to have practical solutions for working class people. While Americans talked of seed exchanges, alternative currencies, and green investment schemes Krol told of his groups foray into radical labor organizing and a presenter from Argentina’s MST talked about a community center built by the community itself geared around food production and education.
As the debate over the validity of alternative currencies roared on past the workshop’s scheduled time I pulled the labor-minded Krzysztof aside to get a one-on-one interview. |
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19 Nov 2004
Modified: 03:23:02 AM |
Filed under: Interview / Education : Globalization : International : Labor : Organizing : Social Welfare |
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Anti-racist struggle continues at UMass Amherst |
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by Bryan G. Pfeifer, bgp (nospam) iacboston.org |
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UMASS AMHERST – At a joint press conference Nov. 4, two leading unions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have charged the administration with collaborating with racists in the Student Government Association to undermine the Office of ALANA Affairs. ALANA advocates for institutional support for African, Latino/a, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American students. |
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09 Nov 2004
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Filed under: News / Education : Labor : Race |
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Worcester Students Protest "Spirit of America" Tour |
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by Chris Caesar, ChrisCaesar (nospam) hotmail.com |
 I arrived at the Worcester Centrum with a contingent of Clark students around 930 that morning, and the peace presence was already quite conspicuous, “who would Jesus bomb”, etc. A Marines jeep sat on the sidewalk, with a phone number stenciled on the side for those hoping to “secure [their] futures” in the military. Recruiters in full attire greeted the students in the lobby of the Centrum, passing out pamphlets on all the so-called benefits that accompany military service, and imploring them to sign up.
Lacking a live-action laser show extravaganza of our own, we assembled peacefully on the sidewalk, armed with pamphlets about the risks of military service and instructions on preventing your personal information from being disclosed to military recruiters. This, it seems, was not entirely cool. |
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10 Sep 2004
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Filed under: News / Education |
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Recruiters Invade Worcester, Activists Plan Resistance |
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by Kevin, ksen.piedmont ( a ) juno.com |
 MA Call Out - Against the Kick-Off of a Major Military Recruitment Drive in Worcester Sept. 10th and 11th
Massachusetts based peace and global justice groups are calling for a convergence of voices and groups opposed to the U.S. military’s use of Sept. 11th for the purpose of recruiting another generation of young people.
The U.S. Army has announced a North East Regional presentation of “Spirit of America” a 2-hour multi-media extravaganza. Over 400 active duty military personnel, military vehicles, video, audio and electronic special effects, recreate bloodless battle scenes as part of a storyline portraying a young man who “decides to follow his grandfather in the path of military service”. |
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04 Sep 2004
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Filed under: Announcement / Education |
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