Tacoma Community College Socialist Alternative Club, and Evergreen Socialist Alternative have launched a campaign to stop budget cuts to WA state higher education and social services budgets. With a projected budget deficit of $5.1 billion, the desperately needed colleges that require state subsidy could have budgets cut by 20% or higher. In this time of recession, education is absolutely necessary to retrain workers to build a new economy, barriers such as the suggested caps to enrollment must not be allowed!
Please visit our sister blogs:
http://stopthecutswashington.blogspot.com/
http://www.evergreencommitteeforfullfunding.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 15, 2008
Victory for Chicago window factory workers!
UE workers in Chicago have won their demands, but are still now jobless. Can we use their tactics to win other demands? This article and more can be found at www.socialistalternative.org
email: tacomasocialists@gmail.com
Chicago Factory Occupation Leads to Victory
Dec 13, 2008
Bryan Koulouris
By occupying their plant, and refusing to budge, workers at the Republic Windows & Doors factory in Chicago have provided an inspirational example to workers around the country of how workers can fight and win their demands.
The workers were shocked when they heard that their factory was being closed down. They were outraged when the bosses told them that they'd only have three more days of work. The reason? Bank of America was cutting off its loans to the window company. This is the same Bank of America that has been handed billions of dollars in government bailouts.
The workers didn't take it laying down; they fought back. This can be a lesson for us all. The workers, represented by the United Electrical Workers (UE), reclaimed a strategy that helped to build the labor movement in this country: they occupied the factory. They demanded a good severance package, and they won. This shows the potential power of working people when we're organized and when we take action.
A workplace occupation poses the question: who's in charge here? Management has no power to give orders when workers run the show. In fact, it may have been possible to demand even more than the workers won due to the potential success of this militant tactic. The general population of Chicago and the country expressed a deep sense of sympathy for the workers. In future struggles, this sympathy can be turned into widespread solidarity demonstrations and support networks.
When layoffs and cuts are proposed by corporations and their political servants, working people need to look to the brave example of the Chicago window workers who occupied their workplace and refused to be chased out.
This occupation has sparked discussions among workers across the country on how they too can fight back against cuts. It is essential that union leaders follow the brave example of these Chicago workers. The union leaders need to demand better unemployment benefits and jobs for all in order to organize the unemployed. Instead of funneling trillions of dollars in loans to banks, the unions need to demand a massive public works program to ensure every worker has a job
To stop layoffs due to factory closures and bankruptcy, it will require that we raise the demand of public ownership under workers' democratic control and management in order to save jobs. If companies say that they can't afford to keep paying for good jobs, then we need to get them to open their financial records to the workers' movement. If they're telling the truth, then we need to take over the workplaces ourselves.
email: tacomasocialists@gmail.com
Chicago Factory Occupation Leads to Victory
Dec 13, 2008
Bryan Koulouris
By occupying their plant, and refusing to budge, workers at the Republic Windows & Doors factory in Chicago have provided an inspirational example to workers around the country of how workers can fight and win their demands.
The workers were shocked when they heard that their factory was being closed down. They were outraged when the bosses told them that they'd only have three more days of work. The reason? Bank of America was cutting off its loans to the window company. This is the same Bank of America that has been handed billions of dollars in government bailouts.
The workers didn't take it laying down; they fought back. This can be a lesson for us all. The workers, represented by the United Electrical Workers (UE), reclaimed a strategy that helped to build the labor movement in this country: they occupied the factory. They demanded a good severance package, and they won. This shows the potential power of working people when we're organized and when we take action.
A workplace occupation poses the question: who's in charge here? Management has no power to give orders when workers run the show. In fact, it may have been possible to demand even more than the workers won due to the potential success of this militant tactic. The general population of Chicago and the country expressed a deep sense of sympathy for the workers. In future struggles, this sympathy can be turned into widespread solidarity demonstrations and support networks.
When layoffs and cuts are proposed by corporations and their political servants, working people need to look to the brave example of the Chicago window workers who occupied their workplace and refused to be chased out.
This occupation has sparked discussions among workers across the country on how they too can fight back against cuts. It is essential that union leaders follow the brave example of these Chicago workers. The union leaders need to demand better unemployment benefits and jobs for all in order to organize the unemployed. Instead of funneling trillions of dollars in loans to banks, the unions need to demand a massive public works program to ensure every worker has a job
To stop layoffs due to factory closures and bankruptcy, it will require that we raise the demand of public ownership under workers' democratic control and management in order to save jobs. If companies say that they can't afford to keep paying for good jobs, then we need to get them to open their financial records to the workers' movement. If they're telling the truth, then we need to take over the workplaces ourselves.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Chicago Workers Occupy Factory - A militant example of the way forward for the labor movement.
Dec. 7, 2008
By Will Soto
On the afternoon of Friday, December 5, the roughly 260 workers at Chicago’s Republic Window and Door factory were told that the factory was closing down and that they would be laid off. These workers make up Local 1110 of the United Electrical Workers (UE). They are owed roughly $1.5 million of vacation and severance pay. There are even rumors that some of their most recent paychecks bounced. Merry Christmas indeed.
It doesn’t seem like the company has totally gone belly up. Instead workers think that the company is trying to move production to another state where they can pay lower wages.
They were thinking that they could just shuffle everyone out the door, disregard the laws about giving workers appropriate notice, forget about paying severance and vacation, and close up shop. The workers had a different plan - they took the place over.
Starting on the afternoon of Friday the 5th they began their sit-in. The police came but they left after figuring out the situation and did not try to forcibly remove the workers. The workers are very well organized and the occupation looks disciplined and coordinated. They are occupying the factory around the clock in three shifts. Some workers are sitting in with their families.
Any visitors to the factory floor are escorted and the workers are keeping a close watch on everything. The company has already packed up and moved some of the machinery, but the workers know where it is located and they are checking on it every few hours. Many Chicagoans are helping out with donations of money, food and sleeping bags. They had a rally of several hundred outside the building on Saturday, December 6.
This factory occupation is a welcome break from the trend of factory closures and layoffs that have gone down without much of a fight. It remains to be seen how much the workers will gain as a result of this. The company claims that it can’t afford to pay the workers because Bank of America won’t extend them the credit. Bank of America says that the company’s debts are not its problem. Democrat Congressman Luis Gutierrez is scheduled to meet with the bank and the company on Monday to try and iron out the problems. Workers are justified in their anger against management and the bank. This same Bank of America is among the financial giants who have lined up to receive billions of dollars of federal bailout money. Workers are asking where is our bailout?
There is no question that these workers’ brave step is a big deal. They deserve the support of all working people and the entire labor movement. Socialist Alternative salutes these workers and supports this occupation. This country has not seen many factory occupations in the last half-century. It was just over 70 years ago in Michigan that the United Auto Workers fought and won the Flint sit down strike of 1936-37. After forty days of bitter struggle they beat the company and inspired a nationwide wave of factory occupations. Certainly many leaders of this factory occupation know this history and they are steeled for the possibility for a long sit-in.
It is important to note the unique history of the independent UE, the union that these workers belong to. This union comes out of the CIO and the radical traditions of industrial unionism of the 1930s. Unlike some of the most corrupt union leaderships, its officials do not get exorbitant salaries. During the 1990s they supported the creation of an independent labor party. The union’s motto is “the members run this union.” The workers democratically voted to occupy this factory.
The UE and the Chicago Federation of Labor needs to publicly build support for this strike from workers and other unions around Chicago. This heroic action by these workers could be used to revitalize the labor movement in the city, and establish a new tradition of militancy among the working class.
This struggle will be an inspiration to other workers on the need to fightback against cuts and layoffs. The labor movement needs to fight each and every layoff and cutback, explaining that if bailouts and public ownership can be used to protect rich investors, then these same policies need to be used to defend workers.
These workers are united and determined to win all that they can. Victory is hardly guaranteed, but sit-ins and factory occupations are proven tactics used around the world by workers who often have no other recourse against layoffs and closures. Perhaps most importantly, factory occupations are important assertions of workers’ rights to own and run their workplaces. As one of the workers joked on Saturday, “we’ve got a lot, we’ve got this whole building.”
How to support the Republic workers
Contributions are both welcome and needed:
through PayPal: use the "Donate" button on the UE home page
by Mail: UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund, UE Western Region, 37 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60607
Send a message to Bank of America demanding they meet the workers demands
For more information, call UE at 312-829-8300.
Dec. 7, 2008
By Will Soto
On the afternoon of Friday, December 5, the roughly 260 workers at Chicago’s Republic Window and Door factory were told that the factory was closing down and that they would be laid off. These workers make up Local 1110 of the United Electrical Workers (UE). They are owed roughly $1.5 million of vacation and severance pay. There are even rumors that some of their most recent paychecks bounced. Merry Christmas indeed.
It doesn’t seem like the company has totally gone belly up. Instead workers think that the company is trying to move production to another state where they can pay lower wages.
They were thinking that they could just shuffle everyone out the door, disregard the laws about giving workers appropriate notice, forget about paying severance and vacation, and close up shop. The workers had a different plan - they took the place over.
Starting on the afternoon of Friday the 5th they began their sit-in. The police came but they left after figuring out the situation and did not try to forcibly remove the workers. The workers are very well organized and the occupation looks disciplined and coordinated. They are occupying the factory around the clock in three shifts. Some workers are sitting in with their families.
Any visitors to the factory floor are escorted and the workers are keeping a close watch on everything. The company has already packed up and moved some of the machinery, but the workers know where it is located and they are checking on it every few hours. Many Chicagoans are helping out with donations of money, food and sleeping bags. They had a rally of several hundred outside the building on Saturday, December 6.
This factory occupation is a welcome break from the trend of factory closures and layoffs that have gone down without much of a fight. It remains to be seen how much the workers will gain as a result of this. The company claims that it can’t afford to pay the workers because Bank of America won’t extend them the credit. Bank of America says that the company’s debts are not its problem. Democrat Congressman Luis Gutierrez is scheduled to meet with the bank and the company on Monday to try and iron out the problems. Workers are justified in their anger against management and the bank. This same Bank of America is among the financial giants who have lined up to receive billions of dollars of federal bailout money. Workers are asking where is our bailout?
There is no question that these workers’ brave step is a big deal. They deserve the support of all working people and the entire labor movement. Socialist Alternative salutes these workers and supports this occupation. This country has not seen many factory occupations in the last half-century. It was just over 70 years ago in Michigan that the United Auto Workers fought and won the Flint sit down strike of 1936-37. After forty days of bitter struggle they beat the company and inspired a nationwide wave of factory occupations. Certainly many leaders of this factory occupation know this history and they are steeled for the possibility for a long sit-in.
It is important to note the unique history of the independent UE, the union that these workers belong to. This union comes out of the CIO and the radical traditions of industrial unionism of the 1930s. Unlike some of the most corrupt union leaderships, its officials do not get exorbitant salaries. During the 1990s they supported the creation of an independent labor party. The union’s motto is “the members run this union.” The workers democratically voted to occupy this factory.
The UE and the Chicago Federation of Labor needs to publicly build support for this strike from workers and other unions around Chicago. This heroic action by these workers could be used to revitalize the labor movement in the city, and establish a new tradition of militancy among the working class.
This struggle will be an inspiration to other workers on the need to fightback against cuts and layoffs. The labor movement needs to fight each and every layoff and cutback, explaining that if bailouts and public ownership can be used to protect rich investors, then these same policies need to be used to defend workers.
These workers are united and determined to win all that they can. Victory is hardly guaranteed, but sit-ins and factory occupations are proven tactics used around the world by workers who often have no other recourse against layoffs and closures. Perhaps most importantly, factory occupations are important assertions of workers’ rights to own and run their workplaces. As one of the workers joked on Saturday, “we’ve got a lot, we’ve got this whole building.”
How to support the Republic workers
Contributions are both welcome and needed:
through PayPal: use the "Donate" button on the UE home page
by Mail: UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund, UE Western Region, 37 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60607
Send a message to Bank of America demanding they meet the workers demands
For more information, call UE at 312-829-8300.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Socialists meet in Tacoma November 24th
Tacoma Socialist Alternative will be meeting this Monday, November 24th, 6:30 pm at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. We will be discussing potential campaigns to start/restart/join, such as our struggle to scrap the WASL testing, and building an independent, pro-worker, anti-corporation party. We will also discuss current events such as the sinking economy and the failure of the government in their bail-out of Wallstreet. The following article is from our newest issue of Justice newspaper, you can find it and more at socialistalternative.org
For directions to our meeting please email tacomasocialists@gmail.com
Bail Out Working People,
Not Wall Street!
Bryan Koulouris, November 12, 2008
For directions to our meeting please email tacomasocialists@gmail.com
Bail Out Working People,
Not Wall Street!
Bryan Koulouris, November 12, 2008
| In less than a year, the U.S. government has thrown over one trillion dollars at the big investment banks and insurance companies. Imagine that: one trillion dollars. It is hard to fathom. Twelve zeros after that one. $1,000,000,000,000. Count those zeros: twelve. That’s a lot of money. With that kind of money put to good use, the U.S. government could have covered all out-of-pocket medical expenses for everyone in the country for seven years. With that kind of money, the U.S. government could have finally rebuilt New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and given every working American a $3,500 cash bonus. The bailouts may have stabilized things in the markets for a few moments, but possibly not for long. For instance, one of the big banks that was given a chunk of change separate from the $700 billion package was AIG. This predatory lender has been given $143 billion; they’ve already spent $90 billion, and executives continue to get ridiculous compensation. The housing speculators who helped to create this crisis are being rewarded for their greed. This shows that the bailout was not attached to any sort of accountability or real democratic oversight. Yet, after all this money has been thrown at finance, the markets are still in chaos and the crisis threatens to spread further throughout the world economy. The market volatility index is at 80% as we reach November. Any index rating above 50% is considered “financially dangerous.” In the past year, there has been an increase in unemployment of 2.8 million people (Bureau of Labor Statistics), and over a million people have lost their homes. Recent figures show a decline in both the Gross Domestic Product and consumer spending, and house prices continue to decline. Workers do not have enough income to continue to prop up the economy. We are in a recession, and the financial decline is likely to last for years. The recession means that the corporate and Wall Street masters will be trying to cut working hours, provide less in wages, lay people off, and resort to cutting corners that will force us to work harder and sometimes at greater personal risk. The System Causes Crisis Legislation like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) under Clinton in 1994 helped to exacerbate this global race to the bottom in workers’ wages. Since then, millions of jobs in heavy industry have been lost. The jobs that have been created over the past 20 years are overwhelmingly low-paid work. For example, the anti-union Wal-Mart has become the biggest employer in the country. The big companies aren’t creating good jobs in the real economy. Now, the super-rich want us to pay for their system. States and cities throughout the country face debt and budget cuts. Hospitals and services for the blind are on the chopping block in Massachusetts. Education cuts are forcing larger class sizes in other parts of the country. Libraries, elderly care, community centers, and other public services will be attacked by corporate politicians throughout the nation. Who Should Pay for This Crisis, and How? We need spending and economic growth, but not the kind that only benefits corporate greed. We need a massive public works program to improve schools, healthcare, and transportation. We need union jobs to develop alternative energy and rebuild our infrastructure. We need quality public childcare and improved affordable housing. We don't need more handouts to some of the richest people in the country. The money is there to pay for jobs and services. The big financial institutions and the super-rich should be taxed heavily. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should be stopped. The failed banks and companies should be taken into public ownership under democratic workers' control. This would free up billions, indeed trillions, of dollars to meet the needs of ordinary people. In order to get jobs and services, we have to fight for them. The labor movement in the 1930s organized massive sit-down strikes, community support rallies, and protest organizations of the unemployed. Good jobs, better services, and more rights on the job were won through these battles. We need to get organized to resist the coming attacks. Unions and community groups have the potential resources that could be used to build real fighting movements that challenge corporate greed with strikes, mass actions, and direct resistance. Workers make society function by producing all the goods, distributing everything, and providing all the services in society. The big company executives don’t drive the buses, trains, and trucks that keep America moving. The politicians don’t teach our kids, clean the floors, and take care of the sick. We have the potential power to make things better. Bosses and politicians only make things worse. We can struggle to win a better life instead of this potentially bleak future, but we have to be organized at the grassroots and our leaders have to be willing to fight for our needs. If this system, capitalism, can’t afford to guarantee us jobs, heat, and homes, then we can’t afford their system! | ||
Friday, September 5, 2008
Socialists Meet Sept. 8
Tacoma Socialist Alternative will be meeting this Monday at 6:30 at the One Heart Cafe on 6th Ave and Fawcett in downtown Tacoma. We will be discussing the very possible Boeing IAM strike, we will have a report back from the Republican National Convention, as well as upcoming events this September and October. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to join us. Please email tacomasocialists@gmail.com for more info.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Socialists Meet Monday 8-18
Tacoma Socialist Alternative will be meeting on Monday, August 18th, at the Blackwater Cafe located at 747 Fawcett St Tacoma at 6:30 pm. We will be discussing the CWI school in Europe from which Brandon attended and will speak about, and issues in Latin America with introductions from Nate and Hope. We will also discuss our current boycott campaign against the WASL, and other ongoing activities. This is a public meeting, please join us if you are interested in us or our campaigns.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
What's Wrong with the WASL? and Why We Must Scrap It!
Tacoma Socialist Alternative has begun its' campaign to end the WASL. This standardized test costs Washington tax payers over $100 million a year, and contributes nothing to education. We are currently gathering as much support as we can for a boycott movement in the fall. The following is an excerpt from our informational pamphlet on the WASL. If you are interested in getting involved, email us at ScraptheWASL@gmail.com
What's Wrong with the WASL? and Why We Must Scrap It!
The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is a standardized educational assessment run by a private company Pearson Education. It meets requirements of Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and is also used as a high school graduation examination in Washington State.
In 2008, for the first time ever in Washington State history satisfactory completion of the WASL reading and writing examinations was a mandatory high school graduation requirement. Previously, reading, writing, and math were all going to be required, but this plan was jettisoned in 2007 when the failure rate on the math assessment reached 50%.
The WASL is a waste of money, time and resources
Money—Every dollar spent on the WASL is a dollar that is not spent in the classroom. According to research commissioned by the Washington Education Association1, the state of Washington has spent well over one billion dollars on developing, proctoring, and scoring the WASL since 1993.
For the 2006-2007 school year this figure is estimated by the WEA to be $113,602,848. Consider that Seattle Schools face a shortfall of $22 million for 2008-2009, while Tacoma Public School District faces a $6.6 million shortfall.
For a class of twenty-eight seventh graders taking three assessments (Reading, Writing, and Math), this equals $144.96 per student—over $4,050.00 per classroom. Think of how$4,050.00 could be used in your child's classroom.
Time—Because of the long delay between when students take the tests and when the scores come back (four to six months later), the results are useless to classroom teachers for instructional purposes. Teachers are unable to discern what items the student needs remediation on.
Resources—With an emphasis on raising test scores, teachers increasingly teach the same skills over and over for struggling students instead of providing the breadth and depth that students deserve. The WASL rewards rote memorization and formulaic thinking. It is an impediment to the kind of educational reform Washington State actually needs and does nothing to contribute to improved educational outcomes for students.
The WASL means less money for needy schools:
Following the free market logic underlying No Child Left Behind, low performing schools would see a flight of students as parents use vouchers to help pay for private schooling or send their students to “higher performing” schools. A decrease in enrollment at low performing schools would mean a commensurate decrease in the amount of funding available to these schools.
This leads to a paradox where the schools that need the most help and resources will actually get less and less help from the state, thus leading to the eventual collapse of these schools and the demand to weaken public education though privatization.
The WASL stigmatizes working-class and racial minority communities
According to Michael W. Apple, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, only by “eliminating poverty through greater economic parity, establishing effective and much more equal health and housing programs... only by tackling these issues together can substantive progress be made”2 in school reform.
When examining standardized test scores like the WASL it is helpful to understand that scores are highly correlated with socioeconomic status.
The following statistics are for 10th grade math scores in 20043:
At International Community School, Lake Washington School District: 0.5% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, 100% “met standard” on the math section of the WASL.
At Cleveland High School, Seattle: 63% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, 23.1% “met standard” on the math section of the WASL.
Also, an overwhelming majority, nearly three-quarters of the state's African American and Latino students who took the 10th-grade WASL failed at least one the subjects needed to graduate.
In essence, the WASL is an assessment of the level of socioeconomic power and access to additional resources (private tutoring, educated parents, and parental supervision after school) within a community—not of the intellect or achievement of the students therein.
The WASL has been heralded by its supporters as a remedy to the ills of public education in Washington State, when in actuality it has simply exacerbated previous ills and created far more problems than it has solved
We are not against testing and holding schools accountable
Teachers need tests and means for assessing a student’s progress and helping students identify areas of strength and weakness. However, the one-size fits all standardized tests created by corporate interests are completely out of touch with the needs of different students and ultimately counter-productive.
National guidelines for basic curriculum are welcome (as long as they do not stifle teacher and student creativity). But the key is we need to return to teacher evaluation of students because teachers—in consultation with parents, educational planners, and students—know best how to help each individual student develop their skills, confidence, and potential as a fully rounded-out human being.
Campaigning Against the WASL
The way to defeat the WASL is by the public demonstrating its absolute opposition to it. We need to parents, teachers and student to take this message out broadly into the community through a public outreach campaign and organizing school-by-school public meetings.
If students, with the full support of parents, refuse to take the WASL, then there would be no test scores to act upon, The 2009 WASL will fail. We need to raise this threat if the legislature won’t act before then. This would send a very clear message to Olympia that the public wants the WASL scrapped. It would stop any further students being denied graduation due to their test scores in 2009.
The WASL
* A waste of money, time and resources
* It means less money for needy schools
* It ignores class injustice
* It punishes schools for non-school factors
* It stigmatizes working class communities
* It’s a barrier to graduation
Parents, teachers, and students are united.
It’s time for the WASL to go!
Get Involved:
* Build the campaign in your school, and in your community.
* Speak to friends and neighbors.
* Link up with teachers and parents and student in your community.
* Organize a speaker to attend your PTSA or at your school.
Contact the campaign at:
ScraptheWASL@gmail.com.
This flyer was written by teacher, parent and student members of Tacoma Socialist Alternative.
You can reach us Tacomasocialists@gmail.com, our national website is: www. socialistalternative. org.
If you want more information, we have just published an in-depth analysis of the WASL. What’s Wrong with the WASL, and Why we should Scrap it. It is available at $1.50, or we can send you an electronic version.
None of the material we are publishing is copywrited. So feel free to use all or parts of it as part of your own communication about the WASL.
What's Wrong with the WASL? and Why We Must Scrap It!
The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is a standardized educational assessment run by a private company Pearson Education. It meets requirements of Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and is also used as a high school graduation examination in Washington State.
In 2008, for the first time ever in Washington State history satisfactory completion of the WASL reading and writing examinations was a mandatory high school graduation requirement. Previously, reading, writing, and math were all going to be required, but this plan was jettisoned in 2007 when the failure rate on the math assessment reached 50%.
The WASL is a waste of money, time and resources
Money—Every dollar spent on the WASL is a dollar that is not spent in the classroom. According to research commissioned by the Washington Education Association1, the state of Washington has spent well over one billion dollars on developing, proctoring, and scoring the WASL since 1993.
For the 2006-2007 school year this figure is estimated by the WEA to be $113,602,848. Consider that Seattle Schools face a shortfall of $22 million for 2008-2009, while Tacoma Public School District faces a $6.6 million shortfall.
For a class of twenty-eight seventh graders taking three assessments (Reading, Writing, and Math), this equals $144.96 per student—over $4,050.00 per classroom. Think of how$4,050.00 could be used in your child's classroom.
Time—Because of the long delay between when students take the tests and when the scores come back (four to six months later), the results are useless to classroom teachers for instructional purposes. Teachers are unable to discern what items the student needs remediation on.
Resources—With an emphasis on raising test scores, teachers increasingly teach the same skills over and over for struggling students instead of providing the breadth and depth that students deserve. The WASL rewards rote memorization and formulaic thinking. It is an impediment to the kind of educational reform Washington State actually needs and does nothing to contribute to improved educational outcomes for students.
The WASL means less money for needy schools:
Following the free market logic underlying No Child Left Behind, low performing schools would see a flight of students as parents use vouchers to help pay for private schooling or send their students to “higher performing” schools. A decrease in enrollment at low performing schools would mean a commensurate decrease in the amount of funding available to these schools.
This leads to a paradox where the schools that need the most help and resources will actually get less and less help from the state, thus leading to the eventual collapse of these schools and the demand to weaken public education though privatization.
The WASL stigmatizes working-class and racial minority communities
According to Michael W. Apple, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, only by “eliminating poverty through greater economic parity, establishing effective and much more equal health and housing programs... only by tackling these issues together can substantive progress be made”2 in school reform.
When examining standardized test scores like the WASL it is helpful to understand that scores are highly correlated with socioeconomic status.
The following statistics are for 10th grade math scores in 20043:
At International Community School, Lake Washington School District: 0.5% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, 100% “met standard” on the math section of the WASL.
At Cleveland High School, Seattle: 63% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, 23.1% “met standard” on the math section of the WASL.
Also, an overwhelming majority, nearly three-quarters of the state's African American and Latino students who took the 10th-grade WASL failed at least one the subjects needed to graduate.
In essence, the WASL is an assessment of the level of socioeconomic power and access to additional resources (private tutoring, educated parents, and parental supervision after school) within a community—not of the intellect or achievement of the students therein.
The WASL has been heralded by its supporters as a remedy to the ills of public education in Washington State, when in actuality it has simply exacerbated previous ills and created far more problems than it has solved
We are not against testing and holding schools accountable
Teachers need tests and means for assessing a student’s progress and helping students identify areas of strength and weakness. However, the one-size fits all standardized tests created by corporate interests are completely out of touch with the needs of different students and ultimately counter-productive.
National guidelines for basic curriculum are welcome (as long as they do not stifle teacher and student creativity). But the key is we need to return to teacher evaluation of students because teachers—in consultation with parents, educational planners, and students—know best how to help each individual student develop their skills, confidence, and potential as a fully rounded-out human being.
Campaigning Against the WASL
The way to defeat the WASL is by the public demonstrating its absolute opposition to it. We need to parents, teachers and student to take this message out broadly into the community through a public outreach campaign and organizing school-by-school public meetings.
If students, with the full support of parents, refuse to take the WASL, then there would be no test scores to act upon, The 2009 WASL will fail. We need to raise this threat if the legislature won’t act before then. This would send a very clear message to Olympia that the public wants the WASL scrapped. It would stop any further students being denied graduation due to their test scores in 2009.
The WASL
* A waste of money, time and resources
* It means less money for needy schools
* It ignores class injustice
* It punishes schools for non-school factors
* It stigmatizes working class communities
* It’s a barrier to graduation
Parents, teachers, and students are united.
It’s time for the WASL to go!
Get Involved:
* Build the campaign in your school, and in your community.
* Speak to friends and neighbors.
* Link up with teachers and parents and student in your community.
* Organize a speaker to attend your PTSA or at your school.
Contact the campaign at:
ScraptheWASL@gmail.com.
This flyer was written by teacher, parent and student members of Tacoma Socialist Alternative.
You can reach us Tacomasocialists@gmail.com, our national website is: www. socialistalternative. org.
If you want more information, we have just published an in-depth analysis of the WASL. What’s Wrong with the WASL, and Why we should Scrap it. It is available at $1.50, or we can send you an electronic version.
None of the material we are publishing is copywrited. So feel free to use all or parts of it as part of your own communication about the WASL.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
More resources on Zimbabwe...
At our meeting Monday night we discussed the political situation in Zimbabwe. A recent article entitled The Lion Who Didn't Roar: Why hasn't Nelson Mandela spoken out against Robert Mugabe? by Christopher Hitchens was brought to the attention of the group.Additionally, as a continuing source of information, the blog This is Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwe Benefit Foundation is constantly updated with the latest news on the developing situation there.
SA Yard Sale Fundraiser
Do you have anything you want to get rid of that we can sell at a yard sale?
We are holding our annual yard sale fundraiser to send young activists to an educational social justice conference in Europe. Please donate any items you would like to clear out of your home, or if you would like to support youth activism and social justice! And please pass this onto anyone you know who might want to clear things out of their homes.
HOW TO DONATE ITEMS:
Anything that would sell for as little as $0.50 can be dropped off at anytime on my porch in Wallingford, Seattle at 4418 2nd Ave NE.
If you have items that would sell for over $25.00, email us back or call Joe at (206) 595-0474 to see if one of our members with a car or truck can pick them up.
The yard sale will be on Saturday, June 14 from 9 AM - 2:30 PM in Ballard at 6516 3rd Ave NW (cross street: NW 65th Street). You can drop off items to be sold then, and please come shopping! Our rain date is the next Saturday, June 21st.
If you have items that would sell for over $25.00, email us back or call Joe at (206) 595-0474 to see if one of our members with a car or truck can pick them up.
The yard sale will be on Saturday, June 14 from 9 AM - 2:30 PM in Ballard at 6516 3rd Ave NW (cross street: NW 65th Street). You can drop off items to be sold then, and please come shopping! Our rain date is the next Saturday, June 21st.
WHO WE ARE:
Socialist Alternative along with Youth Against War and Racism have organized numerous walkouts of hundreds of students against the war and military recruitment in schools. When the Tukwila School Board tried to fire 6 Tukwila district teachers for supporting their students in their walkout, we mobilized community support to defend all the teachers' jobs and the principal was forced to resign instead!
We also succeeded in pressuring the Seattle School Board to pass one of the strongest policies against military recruitment in schools in August 2007. Recruiters used to come as they please; now they are only allowed into Seattle public schools twice a year (although we really need people to make sure this policy is being enforced).
We are a multiracial organization with active members involved in the labor movement and other social justice movements, we have weekly educational activist meetings, we publish the newspaper Justice, and we are in solidarity with the Committee for a Workers' International which has sister organizations in 37 countries around the world. For more info: www.SocialistAlternative.org
We also succeeded in pressuring the Seattle School Board to pass one of the strongest policies against military recruitment in schools in August 2007. Recruiters used to come as they please; now they are only allowed into Seattle public schools twice a year (although we really need people to make sure this policy is being enforced).
We are a multiracial organization with active members involved in the labor movement and other social justice movements, we have weekly educational activist meetings, we publish the newspaper Justice, and we are in solidarity with the Committee for a Workers' International which has sister organizations in 37 countries around the world. For more info: www.SocialistAlternative.org
Thanks for your support!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
This Monday at One Heart Cafe (06.09)
Socialist Alternative's regular meeting will be held at a new location:
Our meeting this week will be on Zimbabwe where massive fraud by President Mugabe is threatening to steal the election run-off.
We will have an introduction to the issue followed by a period of discussion.
We will also give feedback on second draft of anti-WASL pamphlet and start discussing how we go forward with the campaign.
The following article is included as background reading on the subject of Zimbabwe:
Mugabe plans to steal election
Mass unemployment, hyper-inflation and poverty
Dave Carr, from The Socialist, weekly paper of the Socialist Party England and Wales.
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has called for a recount of the votes from the 29 March presidential election – even though the electoral commission has still, after more than one week, to release the figures!
This suggests that president Robert Mugabe was defeated in the election. However, the octogenarian dictator, after 28 years in power, has it seems no intention of conceding defeat to his challenger, Morgan Tsvangarai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Earlier, the MDC had claimed victory (having secured a majority in the parliamentary elections) saying that the tally of results posted outside the polling stations gave Morgan Tsvangarai 50.3% of the vote. However, some foreign media say that sources close to the electoral commission report that the MDC candidate has fallen short of an absolute majority and that an election run-off is likely.
Despite evidence in the first round of Zanu-PF inflating the electoral roll, employing voter intimidation and using food aid as a political tool, a run-off will undoubtedly see an upsurge in political violence directed against the MDC and its supporters. Already the notorious "war veterans" (Mugabe's paid militia) have paraded through the streets of the capital, Harare, issuing threats to the opposition.
Workers' struggles
Since independence in 1980, which ended white minority rule, Mugabe has presided over a catastrophic economic collapse of the country, deploying ever more desperate measures to stay in power.
Mugabe has repeatedly stated that the country's malaise is the result of imperialist intrigues by the former colonial power, Britain. However, it was Mugabe who embraced neo-liberal measures in the 1990s, attacking the living standards of the black majority.
In 1996 a general strike took place by public servants opposed to an effective wage cut and 25,000 job losses carried out by the government at the behest of the International Monetary Fund. The following year landless and impoverished veterans of the guerrilla war confronted Mugabe demanding compensation and pensions.
A shaken Mugabe resorted to the printing presses to pacify protest, fuelling inflation. He also imposed a massive hike in general sales tax. This further inflamed the protests culminating in 'Red Tuesday' on 9 December 1997 when over one million joined an anti-government stay-away general strike.
During this period of struggle an increasingly militant working class had forced the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to break with Zanu-PF. With this link broken a political vacuum opened up, leading to the formation of a political party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
The MDC mobilised opposition to defeat Mugabe's constitutional change referendum in February 2000. However, the MDC leadership executed a rapid turn to the right with Zimbabwean capitalists and white farmers joining and a right-wing US 'think-tank' - the Freedom Foundation - donating $1 million. Consequently, the MDC adopted the same neo-liberal policies as Mugabe.
Faced with defeat in the June 2000 general election, Mugabe, after 20 years of faithful service to capitalism and imperialism, suddenly became a champion of the dispossessed. He mobilised war veterans of the liberation struggle to forcibly seize land from white farmers and invoked the Law and Order Maintenance Act, inherited from Ian Smith's racist Rhodesia regime, to curb the opposition MDC.
The issue of land ownership is of course a real issue. However, the land invasions weren't part of
a peasant uprising or a comprehensive land reform programme, which would entail the nationalisation not only of the big commercial farms but also the commanding heights of the economy.
Some of the best farms seized were handed over to Mugabe's cronies in the ruling Zanu-PF. The subsistence farmers given land weren't provided with tools or cheap loans for fertilisers and seeds by the government. Later, the war veterans, along with landless squatters, were evicted by police.
Repression
Mugabe and his cronies in Zanu-PF and the state security forces will use a run-off presidential election to politically neuter the MDC opposition and ensure a continuation of their ruinous rule.
However, if the MDC does win the presidency it's debatable whether Mugabe and Zanu-PF will accept such a defeat. They may decide to wage a brutal one-sided civil war, like Mugabe did in Matabeleland in the 1980s against his Zapu opponents. Such a prospect will force more refugees to flee Zimbabwe to South Africa and further abroad.
With 80% unemployment, hyper-inflation of over 100,000%, widespread poverty, food and fuel shortages, and collapsing services, Zimbabwe's working-class is being pulverised. However, there is no alternative but to fight back.
Throughout the last decade, Zimbabwe's workers and peasants have been hamstrung in the struggle to defeat Mugabe's police state by the absence of a mass workers party with a socialist and internationalist programme. The building of such a force is the key task facing Zimbabwe socialists.
For more information, contact Mary Smith @ 253-564-1488
Monday, May 17th @ 6:30 PM
One Heart Cafe'
604 Fawcett Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
One Heart Cafe'
604 Fawcett Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Our meeting this week will be on Zimbabwe where massive fraud by President Mugabe is threatening to steal the election run-off.
We will have an introduction to the issue followed by a period of discussion.
We will also give feedback on second draft of anti-WASL pamphlet and start discussing how we go forward with the campaign.
The following article is included as background reading on the subject of Zimbabwe:
Mugabe plans to steal election
Mass unemployment, hyper-inflation and povertyDave Carr, from The Socialist, weekly paper of the Socialist Party England and Wales.
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has called for a recount of the votes from the 29 March presidential election – even though the electoral commission has still, after more than one week, to release the figures!
This suggests that president Robert Mugabe was defeated in the election. However, the octogenarian dictator, after 28 years in power, has it seems no intention of conceding defeat to his challenger, Morgan Tsvangarai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Earlier, the MDC had claimed victory (having secured a majority in the parliamentary elections) saying that the tally of results posted outside the polling stations gave Morgan Tsvangarai 50.3% of the vote. However, some foreign media say that sources close to the electoral commission report that the MDC candidate has fallen short of an absolute majority and that an election run-off is likely.
Despite evidence in the first round of Zanu-PF inflating the electoral roll, employing voter intimidation and using food aid as a political tool, a run-off will undoubtedly see an upsurge in political violence directed against the MDC and its supporters. Already the notorious "war veterans" (Mugabe's paid militia) have paraded through the streets of the capital, Harare, issuing threats to the opposition.
Workers' struggles
Since independence in 1980, which ended white minority rule, Mugabe has presided over a catastrophic economic collapse of the country, deploying ever more desperate measures to stay in power.
Mugabe has repeatedly stated that the country's malaise is the result of imperialist intrigues by the former colonial power, Britain. However, it was Mugabe who embraced neo-liberal measures in the 1990s, attacking the living standards of the black majority.
In 1996 a general strike took place by public servants opposed to an effective wage cut and 25,000 job losses carried out by the government at the behest of the International Monetary Fund. The following year landless and impoverished veterans of the guerrilla war confronted Mugabe demanding compensation and pensions.
A shaken Mugabe resorted to the printing presses to pacify protest, fuelling inflation. He also imposed a massive hike in general sales tax. This further inflamed the protests culminating in 'Red Tuesday' on 9 December 1997 when over one million joined an anti-government stay-away general strike.
During this period of struggle an increasingly militant working class had forced the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to break with Zanu-PF. With this link broken a political vacuum opened up, leading to the formation of a political party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
The MDC mobilised opposition to defeat Mugabe's constitutional change referendum in February 2000. However, the MDC leadership executed a rapid turn to the right with Zimbabwean capitalists and white farmers joining and a right-wing US 'think-tank' - the Freedom Foundation - donating $1 million. Consequently, the MDC adopted the same neo-liberal policies as Mugabe.
Faced with defeat in the June 2000 general election, Mugabe, after 20 years of faithful service to capitalism and imperialism, suddenly became a champion of the dispossessed. He mobilised war veterans of the liberation struggle to forcibly seize land from white farmers and invoked the Law and Order Maintenance Act, inherited from Ian Smith's racist Rhodesia regime, to curb the opposition MDC.
The issue of land ownership is of course a real issue. However, the land invasions weren't part of
a peasant uprising or a comprehensive land reform programme, which would entail the nationalisation not only of the big commercial farms but also the commanding heights of the economy.
Some of the best farms seized were handed over to Mugabe's cronies in the ruling Zanu-PF. The subsistence farmers given land weren't provided with tools or cheap loans for fertilisers and seeds by the government. Later, the war veterans, along with landless squatters, were evicted by police.
Repression
Mugabe and his cronies in Zanu-PF and the state security forces will use a run-off presidential election to politically neuter the MDC opposition and ensure a continuation of their ruinous rule.
However, if the MDC does win the presidency it's debatable whether Mugabe and Zanu-PF will accept such a defeat. They may decide to wage a brutal one-sided civil war, like Mugabe did in Matabeleland in the 1980s against his Zapu opponents. Such a prospect will force more refugees to flee Zimbabwe to South Africa and further abroad.
With 80% unemployment, hyper-inflation of over 100,000%, widespread poverty, food and fuel shortages, and collapsing services, Zimbabwe's working-class is being pulverised. However, there is no alternative but to fight back.
Throughout the last decade, Zimbabwe's workers and peasants have been hamstrung in the struggle to defeat Mugabe's police state by the absence of a mass workers party with a socialist and internationalist programme. The building of such a force is the key task facing Zimbabwe socialists.
For more information, contact Mary Smith @ 253-564-1488
Sunday, May 18, 2008
This Monday at One Heart Cafe (05.19)
Socialist Alternative's regular meeting will be held at a new location:
We will be meeting in the back room of One Heart, which is located next door to The Grand Cinema.
Tony will be presenting the topic, 'What is Socialism?'
Join us for an informational lead-off and discussion about socialism and why do we need to change the current political system. This meeting is open to anyone who would like to find out more about the organization.
For more information, contact Mary Smith @ 253-564-1488
Monday, May 17th @ 6:30 PM
One Heart Cafe'
604 Fawcett Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
One Heart Cafe'
604 Fawcett Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
We will be meeting in the back room of One Heart, which is located next door to The Grand Cinema.
Tony will be presenting the topic, 'What is Socialism?'
Join us for an informational lead-off and discussion about socialism and why do we need to change the current political system. This meeting is open to anyone who would like to find out more about the organization.
For more information, contact Mary Smith @ 253-564-1488
Monday, May 12, 2008
This Monday at the Mandolin (05.12)
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting on MONDAY at 6.30pm,
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
This week we will be discussing the Nader campaign.Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
This week, also, Nader is speaking at TCC at 1.30 on Wednesday.
We will be looking to distribute more flyers in the next couple of days to attract the best possible turnout. Additionally, Philip Locker will also be speaking from the platform for Socialist Alternative, so anyone attending the meeting will also get some exposure to the ideas of SA.
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting on MONDAY at 6.30pm.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Ralph Nader in Tacoma
Tacoma SA Proudly Presents the Following Event:
Why support Nader?
A recent poll showed 81% of Americans think the country is headed on the wrong track. Obama has inspired millions of people by speaking out against the war and claiming to refuse money from corporate lobbyists. It's clear ,the overwhelming majority of Americans are yearning for a change from eight years of Bush's corporate war-mongering. But the question is: Can the Democrats deliver the change they are promising?
Beneath Obama's and Clinton's rhetoric, their actual records reveal that they have repeatedly voted to keep the troops in Iraq, and they have received millions upon millions of dollars from big corporations. Come hear Ralph Nader speak and read these articles about why you should support the strongest independent, pro-worker campaign and help us build a movement to end corporate control of our society!
Excellent Articles:
1. By Matt Gonzalez: 'The Obama Craze: Count Me Out' on Counterpunch
2. 'Does Obama Deserve Your Support? Ten Things You Should Know'
3. 'The Obama Mirage: Behind the Rhetoric of Hope and Change'
4. 'Break with the Two Parties of Big Business! Build Nader's Antiwar, Anti-Corporate Campaign'
5. 'Is a Nader vote a wasted vote? The Case against Lesser-Evilism'
We need your help, especially to spread the word:
1. Pass the news on to friends, family, co-workers, classmates right now! Post this announcement on other websites!
2. Lead a team of volunteers to go postering or pass out leaflets together. Pick a time and place you want to meet, bring tape and/or staple hammers, and call Ramy at (206) 293-8389 to get volunteers to go postering together.
3. Let the media know Nader is coming to town and urge them to cover Nader's speech and to interview Nader while he is in town. The media can contact Nader's media team through www.VoteNader.org
4. Volunteer to collect signatures to get Nader on the WA State ballot. Contact Mike Gillis at 206-755-4262 or mikedgillis@hotmail.com
5. Help us find a volunteer who could provide American Sign Language interpretation for Nader's speech for at least 1 person who requested this. Email jessiquadown@gmail.com if you find a volunteer.
Ralph Nader speaks in Tacoma!
Wednesday, May 14th
1:30 PM
Tacoma Community College
Building#3
6501 S. 19th Street
Tacoma 98466
$10 contribution/ $5 student/low-income (No one turned away)
Wednesday, May 14th
1:30 PM
Tacoma Community College
Building#3
6501 S. 19th Street
Tacoma 98466
$10 contribution/ $5 student/low-income (No one turned away)
Why support Nader?
A recent poll showed 81% of Americans think the country is headed on the wrong track. Obama has inspired millions of people by speaking out against the war and claiming to refuse money from corporate lobbyists. It's clear ,the overwhelming majority of Americans are yearning for a change from eight years of Bush's corporate war-mongering. But the question is: Can the Democrats deliver the change they are promising?
Beneath Obama's and Clinton's rhetoric, their actual records reveal that they have repeatedly voted to keep the troops in Iraq, and they have received millions upon millions of dollars from big corporations. Come hear Ralph Nader speak and read these articles about why you should support the strongest independent, pro-worker campaign and help us build a movement to end corporate control of our society!
Excellent Articles:
1. By Matt Gonzalez: 'The Obama Craze: Count Me Out' on Counterpunch
2. 'Does Obama Deserve Your Support? Ten Things You Should Know'
3. 'The Obama Mirage: Behind the Rhetoric of Hope and Change'
4. 'Break with the Two Parties of Big Business! Build Nader's Antiwar, Anti-Corporate Campaign'
5. 'Is a Nader vote a wasted vote? The Case against Lesser-Evilism'
We need your help, especially to spread the word:
1. Pass the news on to friends, family, co-workers, classmates right now! Post this announcement on other websites!
2. Lead a team of volunteers to go postering or pass out leaflets together. Pick a time and place you want to meet, bring tape and/or staple hammers, and call Ramy at (206) 293-8389 to get volunteers to go postering together.
3. Let the media know Nader is coming to town and urge them to cover Nader's speech and to interview Nader while he is in town. The media can contact Nader's media team through www.VoteNader.org
4. Volunteer to collect signatures to get Nader on the WA State ballot. Contact Mike Gillis at 206-755-4262 or mikedgillis@hotmail.com
5. Help us find a volunteer who could provide American Sign Language interpretation for Nader's speech for at least 1 person who requested this. Email jessiquadown@gmail.com if you find a volunteer.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Solidarity Request for Local Antiwar Activist Mike Ladd
On March 18, 2007 at the Seattle 4th anniversary of the war protest, antiwar protester Mike Ladd was brutally beaten and arrested by the Seattle Police Department for splashing a bottle of water above his head in response to an antagonistic pro-war demonstrator.
Immediately after this non-threatening display by Mike, a bicycle policeman rammed his bike into Mike's body as five police officers violently slammed Mike into the pavement. Once on the ground, the officers smothered Mike completely, crushing his neck between the curb and his body between the ground and the officers.
Despite Mike's cries of non-resistance, the police continued to brutalize him by putting so much pressure on him that he couldn't breathe while pulling his long hair. Despite the officers' commands, Mike was never given a chance to comply with police orders to stop resisting arrest due to the immense pain and physical force applied to him.
This video depicts the actions by the Seattle Police Department as described above. It is also important to point out that the police stepped in front of the camera in order to conceal their barbarous tactics.
Also, if Mike was supposedly resisting arrest as the police charged him with, why was Mike helped up so easily after such a prolonged scuffle? If Mike were really resisting, why didn't the "resistance" continue as they lifted him up?
Once Mike was brought to his feet, he was placed standing on the sidewalk. Numerous media took pictures of him and his photo appeared the next day on the front page of the Seattle Times. A few minutes later, Mike was taken one block away from Second Avenue, placed in a cramped, unventilated, claustrophobic police van and taken to a still unknown processing station.
During his arrest, the crowd of demonstrators stood in solidarity with Mike chanting "Let him go!" "Police state -- Tear it down!" and "The cops are a tool of the rich man's rule." It was obvious to all those present that Mike's arrest was an unlawful, unnecessary demonstration of unaccountable police power seeking to intimidate the antiwar movement by making an example out of someone.
At the processing station Mike was heckled by police for protesting the war while the police photographed him and processed his arrest. Mike complained of neck and shoulder pain, but the officers ignored his complaints since they claimed there were no physical marks on the outside of his skin. (He was unable to check for himself, but symptoms of pain on the inside of the body are usually signs of damaged muscles and/or severe sprain). Mike was later taken from the processing station and brought to the King County Jail.
After Mike's arrest, his friends, fellow comrades and loved ones diligently tried to find out where he had been taken, if he was actually being booked and jailed, and attempted to post bail. Mike's loved ones and comrades were met with misinformation and outright lies by the Seattle Police Department. His supporters were sent head-on into the police bureaucracy, as they were told to go from one building to another, between the jail and a precinct located at 8th and Virginia then back to the jail (3 times), sending them on a wild goose chase throughout downtown. The police refused to make a radio call to find out where he was being held, and the jail claimed that he was not at their location. Nearly three hours later, Mike's information surfaced at the downtown jail, and Mike was bailed out and released at around six o'clock that night.
The following day, Mike went to the hospital because he was in so much pain to get diagnosed and treated for his injuries. The doctor determined that Mike had a badly sprained shoulder and neck. Mike was taken off work without pay for a week to allow his injuries to heal.
Mike was initially charged with two gross misdemeanors: 1) Assault (Yes! You heard right; assault with water!), and 2) Resisting Arrest. At his first court hearing, the City of Seattle dropped the charges because of the city's inability to provide witnesses. Shortly afterward, Mike filed a complaint against the City of Seattle with the intent of suing the city for his injuries, an unlawful arrest, and overall mistreatment by the Seattle Police Department.
In retaliation, a month and a half later, on the advice of the police department, Mike was re-charged with two gross misdemeanors. Except this time it was: 1) Resisting Arrest and 2) Obstructing A Police Officer. These two charges are oftentimes called "catch-alls" by the police as they are both very ambiguous and flexible charges that can be applied to anyone for just about anything, and they often go hand in hand.
Here is a recent Seattle Post-Intelligencer article detailing this tactic:
Again, this is a blatant act of retaliation on the part of the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department as a means of silencing legitimate criticisms and complaints from the public. It is clear that by reinstating charges that the City of Seattle and its police knew that they would lose in a civil suit, they are in fact displaying guilt on their part. Let us repeat this again: THE CITY OF SEATTLE RETALIATED AGAINST MIKE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEIR OFFICERS HAD OVERREACTED, ASSAULTED AN INNOCENT PERSON, AND WERE FACED WITH PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
Since these new charges were imposed, Mike has had numerous court dates over the last year causing him to take time off work and requiring him to travel from Tacoma to Seattle. However, this impending court date of May 8th is of crucial importance since the police who victimized Mike will be present for the deposition hearing and thoroughly questioned by Mike's legal counsel, Larry Hildes. Depending on the course of this hearing and the pressure and presence we can put on the Seattle legal system, Mike could be acquitted of all charges and thus end the possibility of the case going to trial.
The Mike Ladd Defense Committee is asking supporters, fellow comrades, the anti-war movement, and people against police brutality to support Mike by attending his court hearing in May. Whether or not you are able to attend the court hearing, please call the Seattle Prosecutor's Office (Public Safety Division) to tell the city and the police that these charges against Mike are outrageous and that they should be dropped immediately.
BE THERE!
Thursday, May 8th, 1:30pm
Seattle Municipal Court, room 902
600 5th Ave. (at James St.
OR CALL!
Mike's case number is: 505605
Seattle Municipal Tower - Public Community Safety Division
Phone: 206-684-7757
Fax: 206-684-4648
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR PHONE CALL
1. When you call: Ask to be transferred to the prosecutor that is handling Mike Ladd's case (case #505605) and say the following:
2. Your name and whatever notable jobs, positions, affiliations you might have (student, teacher, union member, organizations you are a part of, tax payer, voter, etc). However, if you are uncomfortable telling them your name, it is fine to call as an upset taxpayer or voter as well.
3. You heard about, read about, or saw the video of Mike Ladd's arrest, and that you are outraged (disgusted, appalled, disappointed, etc.) about the way he was brutalized by the Seattle Police department.
4. You are aware that Mike Ladd was blatantly retaliated against by the city of Seattle after he filed a complaint against the city for his treatment and arrest. Again, describe your thoughts about the city of Seattle's unaccountable actions (disgusted appalled, etc.
5. All the charges are trumped up and completely false, and should be dropped immediately. In addition, Mike Ladd should be fully compensated by the city of Seattle for his injuries and overall mistreatment by the Seattle Police Department.
If you have time, other things worth mentioning are:
-How brutal the police were in the videos and the Seattle-P-I photographs
-How the supposed "victim" was not effected at all by the water bottle splash, and how he contradicted himself in the media by saying Mike tried to punch him, which is a complete lie!!!
- Why did the police feel it was necessary to stand in front of the camera while Mike was being arrested? Why did the Seattle Police feel it was necessary to pull Mike Ladd's hair in order to arrest him?
NOTE: It is possible that you will not be able to reach the prosecutor's office. If so, be sure to state all of this to whatever person you end up speaking too, be it the operator, or the prosecutor's secretary. Also, keep in mind that people you speak to might try to talk over you or cut you off. Be sure to keep talking despite this, and make your points strongly.
SUPPORTERS FROM SOUTH SOUND:
Mike will be taking the bus to Seattle on his court date. If you wish to take the bus with him, be at the Tacoma Dome station in Tacoma around 11:45 am. Since the courthouse can be rather confusing and intimidating, people may gather outside the Seattle Municipal Court around 1:00 pm and enter as a group. Mike will be there in order to greet people as they arrive.
Immediately after this non-threatening display by Mike, a bicycle policeman rammed his bike into Mike's body as five police officers violently slammed Mike into the pavement. Once on the ground, the officers smothered Mike completely, crushing his neck between the curb and his body between the ground and the officers.
Despite Mike's cries of non-resistance, the police continued to brutalize him by putting so much pressure on him that he couldn't breathe while pulling his long hair. Despite the officers' commands, Mike was never given a chance to comply with police orders to stop resisting arrest due to the immense pain and physical force applied to him.
This video depicts the actions by the Seattle Police Department as described above. It is also important to point out that the police stepped in front of the camera in order to conceal their barbarous tactics.
Also, if Mike was supposedly resisting arrest as the police charged him with, why was Mike helped up so easily after such a prolonged scuffle? If Mike were really resisting, why didn't the "resistance" continue as they lifted him up?
Once Mike was brought to his feet, he was placed standing on the sidewalk. Numerous media took pictures of him and his photo appeared the next day on the front page of the Seattle Times. A few minutes later, Mike was taken one block away from Second Avenue, placed in a cramped, unventilated, claustrophobic police van and taken to a still unknown processing station.
During his arrest, the crowd of demonstrators stood in solidarity with Mike chanting "Let him go!" "Police state -- Tear it down!" and "The cops are a tool of the rich man's rule." It was obvious to all those present that Mike's arrest was an unlawful, unnecessary demonstration of unaccountable police power seeking to intimidate the antiwar movement by making an example out of someone.
At the processing station Mike was heckled by police for protesting the war while the police photographed him and processed his arrest. Mike complained of neck and shoulder pain, but the officers ignored his complaints since they claimed there were no physical marks on the outside of his skin. (He was unable to check for himself, but symptoms of pain on the inside of the body are usually signs of damaged muscles and/or severe sprain). Mike was later taken from the processing station and brought to the King County Jail.
After Mike's arrest, his friends, fellow comrades and loved ones diligently tried to find out where he had been taken, if he was actually being booked and jailed, and attempted to post bail. Mike's loved ones and comrades were met with misinformation and outright lies by the Seattle Police Department. His supporters were sent head-on into the police bureaucracy, as they were told to go from one building to another, between the jail and a precinct located at 8th and Virginia then back to the jail (3 times), sending them on a wild goose chase throughout downtown. The police refused to make a radio call to find out where he was being held, and the jail claimed that he was not at their location. Nearly three hours later, Mike's information surfaced at the downtown jail, and Mike was bailed out and released at around six o'clock that night.
The following day, Mike went to the hospital because he was in so much pain to get diagnosed and treated for his injuries. The doctor determined that Mike had a badly sprained shoulder and neck. Mike was taken off work without pay for a week to allow his injuries to heal.
Mike was initially charged with two gross misdemeanors: 1) Assault (Yes! You heard right; assault with water!), and 2) Resisting Arrest. At his first court hearing, the City of Seattle dropped the charges because of the city's inability to provide witnesses. Shortly afterward, Mike filed a complaint against the City of Seattle with the intent of suing the city for his injuries, an unlawful arrest, and overall mistreatment by the Seattle Police Department.
In retaliation, a month and a half later, on the advice of the police department, Mike was re-charged with two gross misdemeanors. Except this time it was: 1) Resisting Arrest and 2) Obstructing A Police Officer. These two charges are oftentimes called "catch-alls" by the police as they are both very ambiguous and flexible charges that can be applied to anyone for just about anything, and they often go hand in hand.
Here is a recent Seattle Post-Intelligencer article detailing this tactic:
Again, this is a blatant act of retaliation on the part of the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department as a means of silencing legitimate criticisms and complaints from the public. It is clear that by reinstating charges that the City of Seattle and its police knew that they would lose in a civil suit, they are in fact displaying guilt on their part. Let us repeat this again: THE CITY OF SEATTLE RETALIATED AGAINST MIKE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEIR OFFICERS HAD OVERREACTED, ASSAULTED AN INNOCENT PERSON, AND WERE FACED WITH PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
Since these new charges were imposed, Mike has had numerous court dates over the last year causing him to take time off work and requiring him to travel from Tacoma to Seattle. However, this impending court date of May 8th is of crucial importance since the police who victimized Mike will be present for the deposition hearing and thoroughly questioned by Mike's legal counsel, Larry Hildes. Depending on the course of this hearing and the pressure and presence we can put on the Seattle legal system, Mike could be acquitted of all charges and thus end the possibility of the case going to trial.
The Mike Ladd Defense Committee is asking supporters, fellow comrades, the anti-war movement, and people against police brutality to support Mike by attending his court hearing in May. Whether or not you are able to attend the court hearing, please call the Seattle Prosecutor's Office (Public Safety Division) to tell the city and the police that these charges against Mike are outrageous and that they should be dropped immediately.
BE THERE!
Thursday, May 8th, 1:30pm
Seattle Municipal Court, room 902
600 5th Ave. (at James St.
OR CALL!
Mike's case number is: 505605
Seattle Municipal Tower - Public Community Safety Division
Phone: 206-684-7757
Fax: 206-684-4648
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR PHONE CALL
1. When you call: Ask to be transferred to the prosecutor that is handling Mike Ladd's case (case #505605) and say the following:
2. Your name and whatever notable jobs, positions, affiliations you might have (student, teacher, union member, organizations you are a part of, tax payer, voter, etc). However, if you are uncomfortable telling them your name, it is fine to call as an upset taxpayer or voter as well.
3. You heard about, read about, or saw the video of Mike Ladd's arrest, and that you are outraged (disgusted, appalled, disappointed, etc.) about the way he was brutalized by the Seattle Police department.
4. You are aware that Mike Ladd was blatantly retaliated against by the city of Seattle after he filed a complaint against the city for his treatment and arrest. Again, describe your thoughts about the city of Seattle's unaccountable actions (disgusted appalled, etc.
5. All the charges are trumped up and completely false, and should be dropped immediately. In addition, Mike Ladd should be fully compensated by the city of Seattle for his injuries and overall mistreatment by the Seattle Police Department.
If you have time, other things worth mentioning are:
-How brutal the police were in the videos and the Seattle-P-I photographs
-How the supposed "victim" was not effected at all by the water bottle splash, and how he contradicted himself in the media by saying Mike tried to punch him, which is a complete lie!!!
- Why did the police feel it was necessary to stand in front of the camera while Mike was being arrested? Why did the Seattle Police feel it was necessary to pull Mike Ladd's hair in order to arrest him?
NOTE: It is possible that you will not be able to reach the prosecutor's office. If so, be sure to state all of this to whatever person you end up speaking too, be it the operator, or the prosecutor's secretary. Also, keep in mind that people you speak to might try to talk over you or cut you off. Be sure to keep talking despite this, and make your points strongly.
SUPPORTERS FROM SOUTH SOUND:
Mike will be taking the bus to Seattle on his court date. If you wish to take the bus with him, be at the Tacoma Dome station in Tacoma around 11:45 am. Since the courthouse can be rather confusing and intimidating, people may gather outside the Seattle Municipal Court around 1:00 pm and enter as a group. Mike will be there in order to greet people as they arrive.
This Monday at the Mandolin (05.05)
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting on MONDAY at 6.30pm,
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
This week we will be discussing the current status of the Democratic Party primary.
We will look behind the platitudes of the campaign promises and images
and look at the substance of the campaigns, including the blatant racist button-pushing
being used by the Clinton campaign. Mary will give the introduction.
We just heard that Ralph Nader will be speaking in Tacoma on Wednesday May 14th at around 1pm at TCC. He is subsequently speaking in Seattle that evening.
We will also review the important strike by the ILWU and the immigrant rights
march on May 1st.
We will also review and upcoming events + discuss any other items of interest.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
This Monday at the Mandolin (04.21)
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting on MONDAY at 6.30pm,
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
With the Olympics coming up this summer in China, and growing protests about China's clampdown in Tibet disrupting the carrying of the Olympic torch, this is a great opportunity to review how socialists analyze China:
Is China Communist?
Is it capitalist?
Will China supplant the US as the world's most powerful nation?
These are some of the questions we will discuss in our lead-off discussion.
We will also get updates on the important ILWU May Day protest against the war.
We will also review the last week's activities, and upcoming events and discuss any other items of interest.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
This Monday at the Mandolin Cafe (04.14)
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting on MONDAY at 6.30pm,
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the Cafe)
This week we will examine the announcement of the ILWU that they will strike
on May 1 against the war, and the developing debate in the ILWU about this proposal.
A member of the union will give an introduction on the ILWU, the importance of May 1 for workers, and the proposed action for May 1.
Last week we discussed the WASL and are proposing to do a campaign on this during the coming months. More information about the WASL campaign will be available as it develops.
We will also review the last week's activities, upcoming events, and discuss any other items of interest.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Workers’ Assembly on Immigration
Tacoma Socialist Alternative endorses the following event:
The Assembly is for workers to talk to one another about immigration, how it affects working families in all of our communities, and what we can do to stop exploitation on the job and in the streets.
“How are children in immigrant communities dealing with the ongoing terrorizing of their families by some municipal law enforcement and ICE. How can community allies help?”
“How can workers, immigrant communities and their supporters respond to ICE raids?”
“How can we overcome stereotypes and myths about each others’ communities to create a stronger power base and solidarity?”
*Childcare and Transportation will be available -please call for more information
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT e-mail bocanegj@evergreen.edu
Assembly Organizers: Labor Center at The Evergreen State College and El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Laborer’s Northwest Regional Organizing Coalition, Service Employees Int'l Union Local 6, Washington State Labor Council, Teamsters 117, UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, MEChA SU, NO! SIR, IUPAT District Council 5, CASA Latina, Orgullo Pu’repecha, MEChA TESC, UFCW 21, LCLAA, UNITE-HERE Local 8, WPEA UFCW Local 365, OPEIU Local 8, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Which Way Forward Committee and Other Community-Based Workers' Organizations.
"The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds." - Abraham Lincoln
Workers’ Assembly on Immigration
Fri & Sat, April 11th and 12th, 2008
(4:30 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Saturday)
The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus
1210 Sixth Avenue Tacoma, Washington
(4:30 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Saturday)
The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus
1210 Sixth Avenue Tacoma, Washington
The Assembly is for workers to talk to one another about immigration, how it affects working families in all of our communities, and what we can do to stop exploitation on the job and in the streets.
“How are children in immigrant communities dealing with the ongoing terrorizing of their families by some municipal law enforcement and ICE. How can community allies help?”
“How can workers, immigrant communities and their supporters respond to ICE raids?”
“How can we overcome stereotypes and myths about each others’ communities to create a stronger power base and solidarity?”
*Childcare and Transportation will be available -please call for more information
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT e-mail bocanegj@evergreen.edu
Assembly Organizers: Labor Center at The Evergreen State College and El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Laborer’s Northwest Regional Organizing Coalition, Service Employees Int'l Union Local 6, Washington State Labor Council, Teamsters 117, UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, MEChA SU, NO! SIR, IUPAT District Council 5, CASA Latina, Orgullo Pu’repecha, MEChA TESC, UFCW 21, LCLAA, UNITE-HERE Local 8, WPEA UFCW Local 365, OPEIU Local 8, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Which Way Forward Committee and Other Community-Based Workers' Organizations.
"The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds." - Abraham Lincoln
Sunday, March 30, 2008
This Monday at the Mandolin Cafe
Come to Socialist Alternative Meeting at 6.30pm,
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
www.themandolincafe.com
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the cafe.)
Mandolin Cafe, Tacoma
www.themandolincafe.com
3923 S 12th St.
(Socialist Alternative meeting is held at table at back of the cafe.)
Guest Speaker on the struggle for socialism in Bolivia:
In the worldwide struggle against poverty and oppression, Latin America is clearly at the forefront. From Venezuela to Chile, the people of the region have shown enormous courage and sacrifice to fight to challenge imperialism and the corporations that dominate their lives. Bolivia is no exception. With mass strikes, protests, and the election of a left-wing president, Evo Morales, the country has become an inspiration to others. Today the revolution is at a crossroads, with workers and peasants searching for a way to take the struggle forward and defend themselves against growing the counter-revolution. Come hear an eyewitness account of the struggles on the ground in Bolivia and the prospects of a revolutionary movement with significant international implications.
About the speaker:
Recognizing the international significance of the rising tide of struggles of poor and indigenous people sweeping Latin America, Adam gave up the comforts of life in the U.S., left his family and friends, and moved to Cochabamba, Bolivia where the struggle is most advanced. As the impoverished Bolivian people know only too well, building mass movements against the poverty and oppression caused by capitalism and Western imperialism is a daunting task, but one that Adam has nonetheless dedicated his life to. Not even deportation and physical threats from reactionaries and semi-fascist groups have deterred Adam from supporting the struggle of Bolivia's poor and working class.
American Blackout: as a reminder: We are showing: American Blackout this Saturday in building #15 at TCC at 12pm. It describes how the Democratic Party leadership undemocratically kicked out Cynthia McKinney from her congressional seat due to her opposition to the Iraq war and calls for further investigation into 9-11.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
National Speaking Tour: Revolucion en Latin America
2 Dates in Seattle!
National Speaking Tour:
Revolución en Latinoamérica
Eyewitness to the struggle
SPEAKER:
Adam Ziemkowski
· Member of the Committee for a Workers' International, Bolivia
· Editor and contributor to La Chispa newspaper (Bolivia)
Thursday, March 27th
7 PM
"Meeting Room"
White Center Library
11220 16th S.W., Seattle, 98146
Directions: http://www.kcls.org/whitecenter/directions.cfm
7 PM
"Meeting Room"
White Center Library
11220 16th S.W., Seattle, 98146
Directions: http://www.kcls.org/whitecenter
Wednesday, April 2
7 PM
Seattle University
Bannan Building, Room 402
12th Ave. and E. Columbia St.
Bolivia is no exception. With mass strikes, protests, and the election of a left-wing president, Evo Morales, the country has become an inspiration to others. Today the revolution is at a crossroads, with workers and peasants searching for a way to take the struggle forward and defend themselves against growing the counter-revolution. Come hear an eyewitness account of the struggles on the ground in Bolivia and the prospects of a revolutionary movement with significant international implications.
Recognizing the international significance of the rising tide of struggles of poor and indigenous people sweeping Latin America, Adam gave up the comforts of life in the U.S., left his family and friends, and moved to Cochabamba, Bolivia where the struggle is most advanced. As the impoverished Bolivian people know only too well, building mass movements against the poverty and oppression caused by capitalism and Western imperialism is a daunting task, but one that Adam has nonetheless dedicated his life to. Not even deportation and physical threats from reactionaries and semi-fascist groups have deterred Adam from supporting the struggle of Bolivia's poor and working class.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Fort Lewis G.I. Rights Rally
Tacoma Socialist Alternative endorses the following event:
Soldier, You’re Not Alone
GI Rights Rally
Saturday, March 22nd
Noon-4 PM
Soldier, You’re Not Alone
GI Rights Rally
Saturday, March 22nd
Noon-4 PM
Harry Todd Park
8720 N. Thorne Lane SW, Lakewood
Directions: Take I-5 Exit 123
Go East on N. Thorne Ln. to park
8720 N. Thorne Lane SW, Lakewood
Directions: Take I-5 Exit 123
Go East on N. Thorne Ln. to park
Family fun—kids’ concert, crafts,
face-painting, puppet show
GI Resource Tables
Personal Testimonies
Music & Speakers
March & Vigil
face-painting, puppet show
GI Resource Tables
Personal Testimonies
Music & Speakers
March & Vigil
Speakers include:
Chanan Suarez Diaz, IVAW
Seth Manzel, GI Voice
Maggie Pondolfino, MFSO
Steve Kofahl, AFGE
GIvoice.org for more info
Chanan Suarez Diaz, IVAW
Seth Manzel, GI Voice
Maggie Pondolfino, MFSO
Steve Kofahl, AFGE
GIvoice.org for more info
Event sponsors: Iraq Veterans Against the War—Seattle chapter, GI Voice, Veterans For Peace—Tacoma chapter, Oregon Military Families Speak Out, Olympia Movement for Justice & Peace, Peace Action Coalition Tacoma, Tacoma Fellowship of Reconciliations, Tacoma Students for a Democratic Society, United For Peace of Pierce County
Endorsements: Industrial Workers of the World, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, Socialist Freedom Party, Pax Christi, Movement Against War & Occupation (Vancouver, B.C.)
Endorsements: Industrial Workers of the World, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, Socialist Freedom Party, Pax Christi, Movement Against War & Occupation (Vancouver, B.C.)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Rally Against Five Years of War in Iraq
Rally to End the War,
Bring the Troops Home!
This Wednesday, March 19th at 6pm
Westlake Plaza
4th Ave & Pine St. in Downtown Seattle
The U.S. government has been at war in Iraq since 2003. In these five years our government has spent over $400 billion on the Iraq war. Tax dollars that normally would have gone to healthcare, education and affordable housing instead are being diverted to pay for this war. In Washington State over $10 billion have been diverted to the war.
In Seattle alone almost one billion dollars has been diverted.
That means that Washington residents are losing out on affordable and quality healthcare, education, housing and living wage jobs.
5 Years is Enough!
End the War Now!
Bring the Troops Home Today!
Money for Jobs and Education, not War!
Monday, March 17, 2008
What We Stand For
No cuts in public services; full funding for all community needs.
A massive public spending increase for health, housing, education, transportation, childcare, leisure, and community facilities, paid for by taxes on the rich.
Cancel the national debt with no payment to the big investors. Use the money to rebuild the inner cities and the infrastructure under union conditions and wages.
Free, high quality public education for all, from pre-school through college.
Free, socialized medicine under democratic control.
End pollution and environmental destruction with massive investment to clean up the environment.
End discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of race, sex, ethnic background, sexuality, and disability. Equal pay for equal work.
Defend abortion rights; for a woman's right to free abortion on demand.
Defend immigrant rights; papers for all.
End police brutality and harassment through labor-community committees to control all aspects of public safety.
Mass pickets and militant action to stop union busting, plant closures, and layoffs.
A minimum wage of $12.50/hour or $500 per week minimum guaranteed income.
No workfare or prison labor; guaranteed training and jobs for all.
A 30-hour workweek without loss of pay.
Major investment in a cheap, accessible, integrated, safe, publicly-owned transportation system that meets the needs of people and the environment.
Scrap anti-union laws. For democratic trade unions controlled by their members. Full-time union officials should be elected, and receive the wage of an average worker.
Unions to break with the parties of the bosses and campaign to build a mass workers' party
Solidarity with the struggles of workers in other countries; an injury to one is an injury to all.
Take into public ownership, under democratic working class control and management, the top 500 corporations, banks, and insurance and finance houses that dominate the economy. Compensation to be paid o the basis of proven need.
An end to the rule of profit; for a socialist society to meet the needs of all.
A massive public spending increase for health, housing, education, transportation, childcare, leisure, and community facilities, paid for by taxes on the rich.
Cancel the national debt with no payment to the big investors. Use the money to rebuild the inner cities and the infrastructure under union conditions and wages.
Free, high quality public education for all, from pre-school through college.
Free, socialized medicine under democratic control.
End pollution and environmental destruction with massive investment to clean up the environment.
End discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of race, sex, ethnic background, sexuality, and disability. Equal pay for equal work.
Defend abortion rights; for a woman's right to free abortion on demand.
Defend immigrant rights; papers for all.
End police brutality and harassment through labor-community committees to control all aspects of public safety.
Mass pickets and militant action to stop union busting, plant closures, and layoffs.
A minimum wage of $12.50/hour or $500 per week minimum guaranteed income.
No workfare or prison labor; guaranteed training and jobs for all.
A 30-hour workweek without loss of pay.
Major investment in a cheap, accessible, integrated, safe, publicly-owned transportation system that meets the needs of people and the environment.
Scrap anti-union laws. For democratic trade unions controlled by their members. Full-time union officials should be elected, and receive the wage of an average worker.
Unions to break with the parties of the bosses and campaign to build a mass workers' party
Solidarity with the struggles of workers in other countries; an injury to one is an injury to all.
Take into public ownership, under democratic working class control and management, the top 500 corporations, banks, and insurance and finance houses that dominate the economy. Compensation to be paid o the basis of proven need.
An end to the rule of profit; for a socialist society to meet the needs of all.
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