Sept. 29, 2007

In an unprecedented show of solidarity across the country, labor got behind the nation’s autoworkers as they went out on strike against General Motors last week.

JENA, La. — The day after tens of thousands marched to free the Jena Six, Melissa Bell stepped out of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse in tears Sept. 21 after the judge denied bail for her son, Mychal Bell.

NEW YORK — Hundreds of Communist Party USA activists will be gathering this October in a series of three regional conferences as part of the CPUSA’s campaign to broaden and deepen party building

CHICAGO — Dozens of peace activists, covered in white sheets, some stained with fake blood, lay motionless on the concrete with red carnations atop their bodies in a “die-in” at Federal Plaza here Sept. 21, symbolizing the mounting death toll of the Iraq war.

President Bush’s threatened veto of legislation to renew and expand the popular State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) puts at risk medical insurance for 5 million or more poor children, according to fighters for children’s health care.

SAN FRANCISCO — If Supervisor Tom Ammiano has his way, San Francisco will become the second U.S. city, after New Haven, Conn., to offer its residents a city identification card.

AURORA, Ill. — The opening of a Planned Parenthood clinic here was again delayed Sept. 20 after a federal judge denied the organization’s motion that the city of Aurora allow the clinic to open as scheduled.

RICHMOND, Va.: Insurance cos. tell amputees: ‘Legs a luxury’
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: Council votes to bring troops home
HOMER CITY, Alaska: Down with the king, impeach!
COLLEGE PARK, Md.: U of M investigates noose

Colombia’s right-wing paramilitaries are terrorists. Washington named them as such in September 2001. But the AUC, as they are known from their Spanish initials, rule the roost in Urabá in northern Colombia. So what should a U.S. corporation have done when much of its annual $4.5 billion income depended upon free rein there?

CLEVELAND — It would seem that front-running candidates for president in the Democratic primaries should have nothing to fear from Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Although he claims growing support and leads three other candidates, the Ohio legislator’s poll numbers are still only at 3 percent.