Open Letter to the Anti-Tar Sands Movement |
by MI Coalition Againat Tar Sands, |
Dear Movement,
We think it’s time for us to have a conversation: a conversation that can help us address the work we need to do in order to build the true grassroots power than can dismantle the oppressive system that tar sands companies and people in power have worked so hard to profit from. For the past four years we’ve heard “leaders” like Bill McKibben call on us to take action to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, and we’ve responded, dutifully travelling to DC to march and protest as a group. We’ve also watched as decision makers have continuously stalled and appeased this movement by refusing to approve the full pipeline, while still consenting to the production, transportation, and refinement of this toxic substance in more and more places across the continent. It is time for us to do more than submit public comments to a system incentivized to ignore us, or chain ourselves to symbols that will look good for the media. The Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands is writing this open letter to call for a dialogue and action around developing an anti-tar sands movement that focuses on the root causes of this issue and unites communities and groups in a common goal to stop tar sands in its entirety. |
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22 Oct 2013
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Filed under: News / Environment : Organizing |
Cops Fail to Stop Successful October 10 Picket of Insomnia Cookies |
by Boston IWW, |
Reposted from the IWW Boston blog
On October 10, IWW members, with help from Harvard’s SLAM, the Bangladeshi Solidarity Network and the CP, picketed Insomnia Cookies’ Harvard Square location. Ridiculous numbers of Cambridge cops attempted to order protesters off the sidewalk to absolutely no effect. Picketers stood firm in their determination to expose Insomnia’s shocking labor practices and pressure the company to adopt a neutral stance towards union organizing. |
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11 Oct 2013
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Filed under: News / Labor : Organizing : Police and Prisons |
Boston Bus Drivers on Wildcat Strike |
by Boston IMC, |
The Boston School Department announced today that bus drivers are conducting an "illegal" work stoppage. It remains unclear how many drivers are participating in the strike, but the number appears to be substantial.
The bus drivers, members of United Steelworkers of America local 8751, list multiple grievances on their Facebook page, including short paychecks, forced off-the-clock work, harassment by school officials, violation of the terms of the union's contract, and more. Since September the bus drivers have been employed by Veolia Transportation, who took over the contract from 1st Student. |
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08 Oct 2013
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Filed under: News / Labor : Organizing |
Tent City Resisting Roslindale Foreclosure, Help Needed! |
by Boston IMC, |
City Life/Vida Urbana is urging everyone available to come to a Tent City in Roslindale to block the foreclosure of Olivé Hendricks' home. The address is 21 Pinedale Road.
Fannie Mae, the mortgage holder on Hendricks' property, has obtained a court order allowing them to evict Hendricks and his family with no notice, in contrast to the 48 hours that are usually required.
Shortly before 3PM today moving trucks and police were spotted approaching the Hendricks' house. At 5PM CLVU organizers texted supporters saying there was still time and that they would be there into the evening. Boston luminaries Carlos Arredondo and Mel King, along with several local politicians, are at the scene or have visited.
Yesterday CLVU released the following statement: |
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22 Aug 2013
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Filed under: News / Gentrification : Organizing |
Three Insomnia Workers Fired for Striking, Call for Picket and Phone Blast |
by Boston IMC, |
Striking Insomnia Cookies workers are calling for a phone and email blast, along with a picket and rally tomorrow, to demand the reinstatement of three of their number who were fired last Sunday. The strikers, who were working at Insomnia's Harvard Square location, are also demanding a pay raise, health insurance, improved working conditions, and a halt to management interference with union organizing.
Phone numbers: (347)366-0991 and (877) 632-6654
Email addresses: chris (at) insomniacookies.com and harvard (at) insomniacookies.com
Picketing starts at noon at the Insomnia store on Mt. Auburn Street, rally at 6:00 PM.
Today the strikers released the following statement: |
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21 Aug 2013
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Filed under: News / Labor : Organizing |
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