Join us Sat., April 2nd at 8pm CST on Riverwest Radio, 104.1 FM-LP or online Riverwestradio.com for a discussion with Ben Turk.
Ben Turk is a prison abolitionist and anarchist who has been organizing to support prisoner resistance efforts around the US for 5+ years. He is a member of the IWW’s Incarcerated Worker’s Organizing Committee and a supporter of the upcoming workstoppage organized by Texas Prisoners. This Sat. on the Grass is Greener on Riverwestradio.com
Today, April 1 – April Fool’s Day – the power of collective action has trumped the fools, killers, and thieves in the Honduran government. Gustavo Castro Soto is back in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, with his family. His return marks the end of 24 days of captivity in Honduras – first in the custody of the government, which subjected him to psychological and physical torture, and then in the haven of the Mexican Embassy, because the Hondurans prohibited his departure. Gustavo was both witness to, and twice-shot victim of, the assault that killed global social movement leader Berta Cáceres in La Esperanza, Honduras, on March 3.
The Honduran government could not stand up to the international pressure from the US Congress, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Vatican, and many other sources of pressure and denunciation. More than anything, the power of the fraudulently elected regime could not trump that of citizens around the world, who held rallies, sent well over a hundred thousand letters, and committed themselves to continue organizing until Gustavo was freed. The government capitulated yesterday and gave Mexican activist and writer permission to return home. However, it mentioned that it may demand his subsequent return to help with the investigation.
This morning, Otros Mundos in Chiapas wrote us, “What still remains is guaranteeing security for his family and the team.” We hope you will remain with us, mobilizing the power of people united, until Gustavo; members of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) – the organization that Berta founded 23 years ago this week; and all Hondurans have security and democracy.
To use a favorite term of Gustavo’s: ¡Animo! Let’s do it!
https://www.facebook.com/ctulocal1/
Amazing turnout for today’s teach-in at Northeastern University, where teachers took the message to the community on the importance of fair funding for our city, schools and state. Citywide thousands of Chicago Teachers Union members walked out for a one day strike April 1 and thousands joined in solidarity. #CTUStrike #FightForFunding #ShutDownCHI
Event is in Spanish with English translation.
FENSUAGRO (agricultural workers union) General Secretary Nidia Quintero will discuss the aspirations and fears of workers in Colombia. This event is part of a national tour hosted by Alliance for Global Justice, and Colombian Action Network.
The world is hopeful about new peace accords that will end more than 50 years of civil war. But despite the progress that has been made, Colombia is still the most dangerous place in the world to be a unionist, and assaults against human rights defenders have spiked in recent years. Fifteen of Nidia’s fellow organizers were assassinated for their activities between 2000 and 2004. These included both her husband, a union leader who was killed in 2002 and, ten days later, her 19 year old son who was also active in the union.
Rural workers and their families are especially vulnerable and no labor organization is more targeted than FENSUAGRO. They represent the population most affected by forced displacement; many of their leaders have been jailed for political reasons; and since FENSUAGRO’s founding in 1976, more than 1,500 of their members have been murdered.
Popular movements in Colombia have said international awareness is key if this peace is going to be just and durable.
Milwaukee event hosted by United Workers Organization, and Latin America Solidarity Committee, and LCLAA. Special thanks to the Machinist’s for the use of their hall.
6pm Sunday April 3rd at the Machinists Lodge
2609 W Oklahoma Ave Milwaukee WI
When? – Sunday, April 3 at 7 PM
Where? – Bremen Cafe, 901 E Clarke Street, Milwaukee
#FightFor15 will be on a one day strike with members of the Chicago Teachers Union April 1. Join us!
6:30 a.m. Roosevelt High School (3436 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60625) or Harlan High Schools (9652 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628)
4 p.m. Thompson Center, 100 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
http://www.ctunet.com/blog/fight-for-15-to-join-chicago-teachers-unions-april-1-strike
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Chicago Teachers Union: http://www.ctunet.com/
by ctu communications | 03/29/2016
“On Friday, April 1, the solidarity of Chicago Teachers Union sisters and brothers, along with the solidarity of more than 50 union and community organizations, will be on full display before the entire city, state and nation. In this unprecedented strike for political demands and state funding that encompass the entire state, our picket lines represent our strength and our resolve to fight for the schools our students deserve. We are in a battle with powerful forces that want to privatize schools, permanently reduce our livelihoods and divest from struggling neighborhoods. Our unity right now is the only protection we have against continued financial instability in the school district.
We are still at the beginning of a struggle that has already proven to be protracted and difficult. This one-day unfair labor practice strike will set in motion the larger forces that will ultimately be necessary to save our schools. Only a strong showing on April 1 and remaining united with our allies will help secure the revenue we need for a fair contract and adequate investments for our students’ futures. Below are some key points on the practicalities and politics of strong picket lines… http://www.ctunet.com/blog/solid-picket-lines-make-for-solidarity
