April 14, 2007

CHICAGO — “I’m real emotional these days, especially because of what’s happening with all the raids and deportations,” said Elvira Arellano. Along with her pastor, the Rev. Walter Coleman, Arellano began a 25-day hunger strike on Good Friday, April 6.

WAYNESBURG, Pa. — The banner on the stage declared, “One union, One contract, No exceptions.” Hand-lettered picket signs proclaiming, “We made the profits, where’s our share?” were held high by over 1,800 members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), their families and supporters uniting for justice in the coal fields.

“We want to be proud of wearing our university apparel,” said Aria Everts, a University of Michigan student who was arrested April 3 after staging an eight-hour sit-in at the college president’s office. Everts was protesting against sweatshop-made gear sold on campus.

Some 10,000 Baghdad residents packed a sports stadium March 31 to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the Iraqi Communist Party. It was the first mass event in Baghdad in years by any secular democratic group.

The landmark Employee Free Choice Act, which would level the playing field for workers up against powerful bosses, is now moving towards a vote in the U.S. Senate.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last week released a 1,572-page report outlining global warming’s dramatic consequences for human life, ecosystems and world geography.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Solidarity filled the air April 6 as hundreds of parents, students and community supporters gathered in Birchfield Park to express their backing for striking Hayward teachers.

SALT LAKE CITY: Campaign to save public schools
ANNAPOLIS, Md.: Lawmakers pass living wage bill
BURLINGTON, Vt.: ‘Step it up’ against greenhouse gases
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Voting rights restored to former felons

Over the last 100 years, voters in New Mexico have experienced a number of efforts to steal an election: everything from the range wars of the 1870s, the denial of the Indian vote and the terrorizing of Chicanos to modern-day thievery.

NEW YORK — The last couple of weeks have been very hard for the Bell family. The grand jury indictments released in March were met with heavy criticism for not going far enough.