Northcott Neighborhood House‎Kwanzaa Celebration & Market Place

For immediate release, December 14, 2018

Contacts:

Gabby Rosazza, International Labor Rights Forum, + 1 240-750-4671

Anna Canning, Fair World Project, + 1 626-429-0229

Fyffes Must Bargain with Independent Union in Honduras

Fair Trade USA Revokes Fyffes’ Fair Trade Certificate in Wake of Wage Theft and Rights Violations

Following the publication of an open letter recounting a pattern of labor rights violations on melon farms in Honduras, Fair Trade USA has decertified the grower Suragroh, a subsidiary of Fyffes. The Irish company Fyffes is one of the largest global fruit brands and the top importer of winter-season melons to the U.S. market. Fyffes is owned by the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo.

Honduran agricultural unions, the Fair World Project, and the International Labor Rights Forum call on Fyffes to negotiate with STAS – El Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Agroindustria y Similares. STAS is an independent trade union representing over 800 agricultural workers in the melon, banana, sugarcane, and palm oil industries.

“Over the past three weeks, I’ve met with Fyffes’ melon workers in Honduras,” said Gabby Rosazza of the International Labor Rights Forum. “They told me about the high production quotas and the verbal harassment they face for being a part of the STAS union. They told me that management does not provide gloves and even refuses to let them wear gloves they bring from home. As a result, they have cuts and lesions on their hands.”

Fyffes’ refusal to respect workers’ internationally-recognized right to join a democratically-elected union is a violation of both Honduran law and international labor standards. Due to the labor rights violations and pattern of anti-union violence, Suragroh-Fyffes has been named in the AFL-CIO’s complaint under the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement and a complaint to the International Labour Organization. Fyffes was suspended from the Ethical Trading Initiative in May 2017 for violations in their supply chain in Honduras.

“We will be calling on supermarkets across the U.S. to suspend their business relationships with Fyffes, as some grocery stores in Europe have done already, until management bargains a contract in good faith with STAS,” said Dana Geffner, Executive Director of the Fair World Project. ###

Haiti Action Committee https://haitisolidarity.net/ is honored to circulate this statement from Fanmi Lavalas, the people’s party in Haiti.  Fanmi Lavalas issued the statement in solidarity with the massive upsurge of protest against the corrupt regime of Haiti’s current president Jovenel Moise.  The statement comes in the wake of violent state repression, including the horrific massacre of over 60 people in Lasalin, a center of popular grassroots activism.

This December 16thwas the 28thanniversary of the election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide as Haiti’s first democratically elected president.  The date was marked in Haiti with continued mobilizations for democracy and an end to the brutal attacks on the population. 

There is a grave crisis in contemporary Haitian society, in which the masses of our people are opposing an oligarchy determined to perpetuate a system of exclusion.

There have been many bumps in the road since February, 1986, when our people overthrew the Duvalier regime. Several coups d’etat have occurred, with the most damaging to the population having taken place in 1991 and 2004. Despite continued battering by the repressive and ideological machine, the more conscious and militant sectors of the population have stood firm; their resistance has been constant despite periods of setback.

At the present time, we are witnessing a general awakening of national consciousness. In addition to the population rising up to insist on better living conditions, with demands coming from many different sectors, including workers, peasants, educators, and students, the scandal involving the embezzling of the Petro-Caribe funds has provoked a big upsurge in mobilization against corruption and impunity. As so often occurs throughout history, the Petro-Caribe scandal has raised the awareness of the overwhelming majority about the unjust economic and political system, revealing the cause-and-effect relationship between this system and the sufferings of the Haitian people. Large masses of the population have come to understand with greater clarity and intensity the urgent necessity to take their destiny in their own hands.

As usually occurs during periods of dynamic struggle such as the present, the oligarchy is fractured. Attempting to maintain the status quo, it is faced with internal contradictions regarding the strategy that would allow it to save “the system” — a sham institutional “democracy” set within a framework of an economic and social regime based on glaring inequalities, a stranglehold on political power that excludes the popular masses, and the pillage of national resources.

Fanmi Lavalas Political Organization is always closely tuned in to the various sectors of the population, and our conclusion is obvious: it is time for the political class to muster the courage to initiate a profound change in the paradigm and structures of governance that characterize the present system. This is a necessity that has a wide consensus as manifested by the ever-growing magnitude of anti-government mobilization that we are witnessing today. It is imperative that we respect the people’s aspirations for progress and for a just society. It is paramount that we stand in solidarity with the people’s protests demanding a new form of state. The nation deserves a new system that is more in harmony with the dreams of our founders, a new vision of the Republic rooted in Justice, Transparency and Participation.

The population is rejecting the usurpers who have derived their power from the fraudulent elections and who have discredited themselves with multiple scandals involving corruption and impunity. Our people are facing savage repression that continues to create victims among the disadvantaged masses, and that is heightening the insecurity that is poisoning daily life for the majority. Fanmi Lavalas Political Organization continues to stand firmly with the Haitian people to “chavire chodyè a (overturn the cauldron)”. No cosmetic solution will bring an effective and lasting solution to the crisis in which we are plunged. This system has run its course. It cannot be patched up. It must be changed.

“Chavire chodyè a (Overturn the cauldron)” means that we consider this moment to be exceptional. The deterioration of the political situation, the degradation of the economy and public finances, the failure of the state and its institutions, the lack of legitimacy and the absence of credibility at all levels of the state apparatus, make illusory if not impossible an end to the crisis by so-called constitutional means. The conditions for a new beginning that will put the country back on track, in 
keeping with the dmands of the overwhelming majority, require an exceptional approach. For Fanmi Lavalas this includes:

1) Obtain the resignation of Jovenel Moise through a general mobilization

2) Resignation of Jean Henry Ceant and all his ministers

3) Assess the dysfunction and lapses in the Parliament

4) Put in place an executive and a government of public safety to ensure a transition for a period of 36 months.

This transition government will consist of credible personalities, engaged in the struggle against exclusion and corruption, who share a vision of a new method of governance. Among the priorities to be included:

1. a) Improve the living conditions of the population by the sound and efficient management of current priorities pending the installation of an elected government.
2. b) Create a constituent assembly for a new fundamental charter that will define the features of the new Republic.
3. c) Organize a necessary national dialogue.
4. d) Create the conditions that will end impunity and allow for a trial of those who have absconded with the Petro-Caribe funds.
5. e) Take all measures to revise the Electoral Law and appoint a new electoral council charged with organizing elections to close out the transition period

The transition aims to implement fundamental reforms that would allow a democratic process and would make possible free, honest and credible elections. The transition must restore confidence between the people and the state. In this light the demands of the popular masses must be taken into account on all issues. True to its commitment to social justice and participation, Fanmi Lavalas will play its role alongside the population in continuing to promote the dialogue that is indispensable among the sons and daughters of the same land.

Executive Committee of Fanmi Lavalas

Dr. Maryse Narcisse

1. Joël Vorbe

Dr. Jean Myrto Julien

Agr. Anthony Dessources

We need you to take action right now. We just learned that Congressional leaders might include the Israel Anti-Boycott Act in the budget that Congress must pass before they adjourn for the year. (202) 225-4965

This would impose criminal penalties on some individuals who support an international organization’s boycott for Palestinian rights. AIPAC has been trying to force it through Congress for nearly two years, but community pressure has stopped it and protected the right to boycott for Palestinian rights at every turn.

We can stop this bill one more time. There is still time to sway the Congressional leadership that will make the call about whether to include the Israel Anti-Boycott Act in the omnibus bill.

Please pick up the phone right now and call Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 to tell her not to include the Israel Anti-Boycott Act in the budget. Here’s a sample script, but please use your own words.

Hi, my name is ___ from City, State and I am calling to urge Rep. Pelosi to not include the Israel Anti-Boycott Act in the omnibus budget bill. I support boycotting for Palestinian rights because Israel denies Palestinians freedom, justice, and equality. This bill would criminalize some individuals who support an international organization’s call to boycott for Palestinian rights. The ACLU has said that this bill is a violation of our First Amendment right to boycott for social change. It should not be included in the budget. Thank you for passing on my views to Rep. Pelosi.

These decisions are being made behind closed doors and only the top Congressional leaders will decide what gets into the final version of this year’s budget. That’s why it’s extremely important that we get 1,000 calls to Rep. Pelosi today. Make your call and click here to let us know so we can count yours.

The best way to stop this from happening is by putting massive pressure on Rep. Pelosi. Thank you for picking up the phone! (202) 225-4965

https://www.prisonradio.org/media/audio/mumia/war-against-poor-and-workers-312-mumia-abu-jamal

https://www.prisonradio.org/media/audio/mumia

Mobilization4Mumia

Mobilization4Mumia

Hosted by Wisconsin African American Women’s Center (WAAW)

Celebrate Kwanzaa: Imani = Faith

IMANI is a FAMILY affair!!

This is the final day of Kwanzaa and we hope to see you there. Bring someone along and make it a day of community.

Join us for
A candle lighting ceremony.
Shop with our vendors.
Experience singing, dancing, drumming and poetry.
Enjoy great food and so much more!

Shop with vendors beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m.

VENDOR CALL
Contact us if you would like to participate in our marketplace.

Vendor applications are available at our office.

The registration fee through December 15th is $20 and includes a table and 2 chairs.

Registration fee is $25 from December 16 through December 27, 2018. There is NO registration on the day of the event.

Set-up begins at 9:00 and ends at the start of our event.

PLEASE NOTE: There are no food vendors permitted for this event.
===================================================
Other Kwanzaa events throughout the week:
Wednesday, 12/26 – Umoja = Unity
6:00 pm
Wisconsin Black Historical Society
2620 W. Center St., 414-372-7677
Contact: Clayborn Benson

Thursday, 12/27 – Kujichagulia = Self Determination
4:00 pm Milwaukee Collegiate Academy
4030 N. 29th St., 414-841-5493
Contact: Ajamou Butler

Friday, 12/28 – Ujima = Collective Work & Responsibility
6:00 pm
Africans on the Move
WAAW Center, 3020 W. Vliet St.
Contact: Dorothea Mbalia, dmbalia@yahoo.com

Saturday, 12/29 – Ujamaa = Cooperative Economics
12:00 pm
Heal the Hood!
WAAW Center, 3020 W. Vliet St.
Contact: Ajamou Butler, 414-841-5403

Sunday, 12/30 – Nia = Purpose
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Youth Night
Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commers, Inc.
WAAW Center, 3020 W. Vliet St.
Youth vendors only
Contact: Ruben, 414-306-6460

Monday, 12/31 – Kuumba = Creativity
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
O.N.F.Y.A.H. presents: Winter Recital
Wisconsin African American Women Center
3020 W. Vliet St.
Contact Akinyomi 414-676-9176

#RBGiftMust 2018

Program The Parks MKE‎

4th Annual Door to Door toy drive for inner city children, as well as recognizing those we lost to violence in 2018.

Kwanzaa 2018

2620 W Center Street, Milwaukee, 6:30 – 9:30 P.M.

https://www.utla.net/

LOS ANGELES — In a historic march, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Los Angeles today to reinvest in public education, to demand that the Los Angeles Unified School District to stop hoarding the record-shattering almost $2 billion in reserves and use it immediately on our students, our schools and our classrooms.

UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl told the massive, picket-holding and banner-waving crowd that if there is no settlement by next month, “we will strike in the middle of January.”

“If we are forced to strike, it will be to defend our schools; but it will also be because we think our kids deserve more, we deserve more, because we dare to have high expectations,” Caputo-Pearl said to the cheering crowd. “If we strike, it is all of our strike.  When we win, it is all of our victory.  Are we going to win for our schools?  Are we going to win for our kids?”

Then tens of thousands students, parents, educators and community members began the march, chanting throughout the streets of downtown, bringing the momentum and energy of the national teacher rebellion to the doorstep nation’s second-largest school district.

The massive demonstration then walked from City Hall, chanting as they marched side by side through the streets of downtown to demand Supt. Austin Beutner and LAUSD fulfill the promise and hope of quality public education for all, not just some. The march ended in front of the Broad Museum to highlight the destructive role billionaires like Eli Broad play in draining money from our public schools by funding the corporate charter industry and privatization efforts like the portfolio model.