Dec 13, 2003

A U.S. occupation force involving 10 armored vehicles and dozens of soldiers attacked the headquarters of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions in Baghdad, Dec. 6. They arrested eight of its leaders and members, who were handcuffed and taken away to an unknown destination. The eight were released the next day with no explanation. click here for Spanish text

On Human Rights Day, 2003

WASHINGTON – Chanting “Workers’ rights are human rights,” more than 1,000 union workers rallied in front of the U.S. Labor Department Dec. 10.

Each year it seems the holidays come a little earlier. Before you’ve put away your bathing suits and sunscreen, bells are jingling and kids are lined up to see Santa.

CLEVELAND – Over 725 city government employees here, including 430 safety force workers, were given layoff notices Dec. 5 as the city faces a $61 million deficit in its general fund.

WASHINGTON – The majority Republican 108th Congress went home for the holidays this week having doled out sugar plums for their wealthy contributors but not even a lump of coal for millions of long-term unemployed.

Ohio’s Hamilton County coroner ruled Dec. 3 that the death of Nathaniel Jones, 41, was a homicide. Jones, a Black man who weighed 350 pounds, was beaten to death by Cincinnati police officers, Nov. 30.

LOS ANGELES: March for right to drive / NEW YORK: ‘Save money – don’t privatize’ / MEDIA, Pa.: DNA frees man from Death Row / NATIONAL: MoveOn.org house parties

MILWAUKEE – A progressive Christian organizing institute, the Gamaliel Foundation, held its National Leadership Assembly here Dec. 4-6, kicking off campaigns for voter registration and education, immigrant rights, metro-suburban equity, and drug treatment as an alternative to prison.

NEW YORK – As the gay rights movement grew in influence in the last decade, Richard Burns says, conservative gay groups have become more vocal, seeking to push the movement to the right.

Once again Venezuela draws all the attention in Latin America’s evolving scene with the development of a new political crisis.