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Pan African Unity Triumph! Black New Yorkers Deliver for Haiti
Warm blessings of a safe journey were given for NYS Assemblywoman Inez Barron, by her Chief of Staff Viola Plummer. “This is a tremendous victory and we are committed to continuing to do what we can to support our people in Haiti by any means we can.”
Despite the recession and severe hard times, the spirit of Pan African unity outweighed it all. Support for Haiti was powerfully demonstrated these past weeks as grassroots individuals and organizations answered the call of the December 12th Movement and donated over ten thousand dollars to get fresh water to the people of Haiti.
“The urgent need for water is essential at this time, and given the problems people are facing trying to get goods in, we are going to Haiti ourselves and using our own contacts to get the water directly to the people. This is just the beginning, we are in this for the long haul,” said delegation member Gregory Perry.
While people are energized and determined to donate resources needed to ease the suffering, the delegation expressed a strong opposition to any forms of foreign control of Haiti and the Haitian peoples’ strong will to rebuild their country.
Colette Pean said, "Self determination and sovereignty are principal as the reconstruction and development of Haiti begins. Haiti has a rich history of resistance as the first Black nation and has withstood all forms of political and economic abuse. African people around the world are coming together. Haiti will rise again."
***The delegation will hold a Report Back to the Community on their mission on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Sistas' Place 456 Nostrand Avenue, corner of Jefferson Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
For more information on how you can help, please call (718) 398-1766.
War on the Poor. . . Continues in Fresno
Simon said "perhaps Mr. Westerlund was well intentioned when he proposed this median safety ordinance, but on its face it has a discriminatory intent and motive against poor people, especially against the homeless while protecting two popular fundraisers - The Fresno Bee Day for Children's Hospital and the Firefighters fundraiser. But, the equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution does not allow one set of rules for some people and another set for others. Equal treatment means everyone or no one. If fundraising on a median is unsafe for some, then it is unsafe for all."
Fresno City Council member Larry Westerland defended his ordinance, saying that if "somebody who wanted to, up to one time every six months, they would be able to come in and there would be a form they would fill out, a one page form, it would be like here is my name, here is the median I would like to occupy on this date, whatever that date would be. We talked about a 48 hour notice before going out there." Westerlund's ordinance would require the applicant to pay a filling fee, provide proof of insurance, and require the use of a brightly colored vest.
Photos & Audio
Alexis Hutchison, a Single Mother from Oakland, is Facing a Year in Military Prison
In a shocking disappointment, Fort Stewart, GA Army officials announced four separate court martial charges against Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, the single mother of a one-year son who missed deployment in early November 2009 when her childcare plan fell through.
Despite assurances by military public affairs officers that the Army would work with Spc Hutchinson and her attorneys to resolve the matter administratively, rather than through the criminal process, charges of missing movement, AWOL, dereliction of duty, and insubordinate conduct were filed today. Spc Hutchinson is a 21-year-old native of Oakland, CA, now facing over three years in prison, a dishonorable discharge, and the loss of custody of her infant. She has been assigned to Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, GA, since February 2008. Read more
Seeking time to plan for son, Army mother is arrested
Courage to Resist
LA Anarchist Book Fair Panelist, Ojore Lutalo, Arrested
Ojore has denied the charges, saying that he was having a conversation with a friend on the phone at the time. Ojore has been released and is out on $30,000 bail. He is currently staying with friends in Denver. Those who wish to help should contact Denver ABC for information.
Many see the arrest as suspect coming just days after Ojore’s appearance at the Los Angeles anarchist book fair. The arrest also follows an interview with Ojore aired on the local Pacifica station KPFK on Monday. Latest from the Newswire: Ojore Lutalo Update and Support by Mapache LA ABCF | | OJORE LUTALO ARRESTED
Historian Howard Zinn Dies at Age 87
Previous Coverage of Howard Zinn On Indybay: Dialogues Against Militarism: A Letter From Howard Zinn | Voices of a People's History of the United States | Howard Zinn on Iraq


