Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Victory Against Repression: Carlos Montes Court Case Ends in Victory!
From Committee to Stop FBI Repression
Los Angeles, CA - On June 5, 2012 Carlos Montes’ criminal court prosecution ended in a victory for Carlos and the movement.
Carlos Montes’ home was raided on May 17, 2011, by the combined forces of the LA County Sheriff’s Swat Team and the FBI, by crashing his door down at 5:00 a.m., with automatic assault rifles drawn, almost killing him.. He was charged with 6 serious felonies with a possible jail time of up to 18 years.
With local and national support, via solidarity protests, call-in campaigns to President Obama and U.S. Attorney General Holder, local rallies and protests, and an offensive legal strategy , two felonies were dropped - this was a first partial victory. However the District Attorney still stated that they wanted Montes to do at least 5 years in state prison for the 4 felony charges remaining.
The local and national Committees Against FBI Repression launched a petition drive and a “Call the D.A.” campaign, with phone banking and a robo call by Carlos to over 4 000 supporters, urging folks to call District Attorney Steve Cooley. The D.A.’s office was flooded with calls and letters.
Montes’ attorney made several motions to get charges dropped on various grounds, but the Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejected them. Preparations were made for a trial, knowing well the state judicial system is not ‘fair and impartial.’ Montes and his attorney Jorge Gonzalez got widespread support and media coverage including in the Democracy Now TV show, La Opinion and the Guardian UK newspaper.
The local D.A. on the case then sought for a resolution and proposed to drop three additional felonies, if Carlos pled out to one count of perjury. This proposal included no jail time, three years of probation and community service. Under advice from supporters, friends and his attorney Montes moved forward with this proposal.
This is a victory for Carlos Montes and the movement against police political repression. A trial had the danger of him being convicted of four felonies with jail time and the additional old felony - a total of 5 felonies. At this point Carlos is out of jail, will continue to organize against repression, for public education, against U.S.-led wars and for immigrant rights. He is already planning to attend the protest at the Republican National Convention on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.
Next steps: The local committee with supporters and rank-and-file members of SEIU 721 will hold a victory party to thank everyone who worked on this campaign and to help pay off legal expenses. It is set for Saturday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. Details will follow.
Carlos wants to thank all the people, organizations, unions and community people who worked and supported him in this struggle against police/political repression.
The struggle continues to defend the 23 other anti-war and international solidarity activists who are STILL under an FBI investigation for showing solidarity with the oppressed people of the world, especially the Palestinian and Colombian people. Stay updated via: www.stopfbi.net!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Latinos Vow to Continue Fighting Anti-Worker, Anti-Immigrant Governorship
Statement by Voces de la Frontera
Milwaukee, WI - With Scott Walker's victory in Tuesday's recall election, it is clear that there is greater need than ever for our community to organize.
Latinos in Wisconsin have been mobilizing against Scott Walker's reign since before he promised to sign an Arizona-style immigration bill if it were to ever hit his desk. Under his administration, Voces de la Frontera Action has been fighting to stop the attack on public employees’ right to organize in workplace, defend tuition equality for our state’s immigrant students, and halt the dramatic cuts to public education.
In a political climate which allows unlimited campaign contribution funds, there is an unquestionable advantage for the candidate who best represents the interests of the wealthy and corporate power. Scott Walker outspent Democratic challenger Tom Barrett by a staggering ratio of 7 to 1. Walker received over 25 million dollars in out of state donations and he used it to dominate the air waves in Wisconsin, and virtually drown out any opposition.
The voters and volunteers who organized a historic recall election and secured a narrow Democrat majority in the State Senate, achieved an important step in countering Walker’s destructive and divisive agenda. It was also clear that there was a high level of participation of Latino voters and South Side low-income voters.
There is no question that the electoral process is not enough to challenge the anti-democratic influence of corporate America in a political system which is intended to level the playing field and give each person an equal say.
Now more than ever, we must build from our organizing base and strengthened alliances to organize in the workplace, in the schools and in the community and work even harder to stop Walker’s continued assault on our working families, teachers, students, and immigrant communities.
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Window Factory Occupiers Form Worker-Run Cooperative
From United Electrical Workers (UE)
May 30, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact: Armando Robles, 708-466-5648
Melvin Maclin, 773-954-8119
Leah Fried, UE Organizer 773-550-3022
A group of workers who occupied the former Republic Windows and Doors factory in 2008 and the Serious Energy factory in 2012 have taken the next step towards saving good jobs in Chicago. On May 30, 2012 the group founded New Era Windows, LLC a worker run cooperative to manufacture quality, affordable windows. Now that the business is incorporated in the State of Illinois, the workers will be able to purchase the machinery from their former employer and raise the investments necessary to start up their cooperative and begin producing windows soon.
In 2008, UE members at Republic Windows and Doors occupied their factory for six days to win the wages and benefits they were owed by law. They won all their demands in a $1.75 million settlement from Bank of America and Chase Bank. They also succeeded in keeping their factory open when Serious Materials, now Serious Energy, purchased the company. In 2012, Serious Energy announced they would be closing, having never secured a foothold in the Chicago market. Once again workers occupied the factory, winning a commitment from Serious Energy to sell the business and keep the factory open an additional 90 days- until May 24th.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
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