An Industrial Workers of the World delegation has just
returned from Haiti where we spent twelve days meeting
with representatives of the Confederation des
Travailleurs Haïtiens (Haitian Confederation of
Workers) and other worker and peasant movements.
Three American IWW members: Joseph Lapp, Nathaniel
Miller, Justin Vitiello, and one Canadian, Cody
Anderson were invited to Haiti by the CTH to
document the Haitians' struggle against "le plan
neoliberal." Justin and Nathaniel are both from
Philly, Joseph is from Alaska, but a former
resident of Philly, and Cody is from Alberta.

We kept a detailed blog and are making a video from the trip. There will be organized report backs with photos and video in June. Those interested in learning more about the trip, or how they can help the Haitians' struggle should contact nathaniel@iww.org

Read the blog here.

WHAT: Philadelphia Parking Authority Public Hearing

WHERE: Philadelphia Convention Center (12th and Arch St.) Rm. 108B

WHEN: Thursday, May 8 - 9AM-12PM

During these times of exorbitant fuel prices, the Taxi Workers Alliance (TWA) is strongly opposing 21-pages of newly imposed fines, fees and regulations the Philadelphia Parking Authority is proposing at a publc hearing tomorrow. The new fines and regulations will make it imposible for cabbies to feed and clothe their families forcing TWA and taxi drivers to seriously consider a citywide strike.

More uncorroborated, unconfirmed, terrifying tales from the NY Times about Iran. Update: Juan Cole finds the story, even if true, to be very unpersuasive as a reason to be hostile towards Iran.

Parents United for Public Education along with many partner groups including Philadelphia Home and School Council and local school associations, JUNTOS, Germantown Clergy Initiative and parents citywide, wants to share the following recent victories around the budget.

A community meeting with Philadelphia Mural Arts Program was held this past Monday April 21 at Songhai Cultural Center. Jane Golden, director of the Mural Arts Program, and other program staff and artists were there to listen to the concerns of the city’s residents at large. The meeting was well attended, with residents from all over the city including Norris Square, Center City, Brewerytown, West Philly, and others.

Listen to the Audio Interview with Bonita Cummings from Strawberry Mansion Community Concern on the meeting with Mural Arts: Part I | Part II

Today in Miami, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their allies will deliver over 75,000 petitions to Burger King's headquarters. The signatures are a call on the fast-food giant to work with the CIW to eliminate modern-day slavery and human rights abuses from Florida’s fields. The CIW hopes that this delivery will bring Burger King one step closer to the negotiating table for the fair wages and safe working conditions. Ironically, today's petition delivery is happening in the midsts of news that the vice president of Burger King, Steve Grover was directly involved in a smear campaign against the Coalition.

Lancaster, PA

On March 15, 2008, a few days before the Five Year Anniversary of the Iraq war, and the 4000th U.S. Soldier to die in combat, at least 700 people from all ages and backgrounds gathered in Binn's Park on N. Queen Street to hear recollections from veterans, inspirations from the parents of fallen soldiers and poets and pleas for peace from local religious leaders. Small processions called feeder marches added to the swelling crowd throughout the morning, including people from the local chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World, People of Faith, the Rainbow Rose Community, Youth and the Clowns for Peace.

The rally at Binn's Park was followed by a procession through downtown Lancaster and a Town Hall meeting at Southern Market. The demonstrations were sponsored by the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice.

This is a photo/video essay roundup of the event. It was an important day for peace activists, and a great display of local civilian media—there were at least 30 community journalists brandishing digital cameras and camcorders and interviewing participants, which might account for why the mainstream media, including Fox News, actually stayed long enough to see the crowds.
Photo Galleries | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Videos | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Articles | 1 | 2 | 3 | Also this video from the 2006 Karl Rove protests at the Host in Lancaster.

Outraged by the March 27 denial of a new guilt-phase trial for Mumia, 500-1,000 people gathered at the Federal Courthouse, circled the Liberty Bell, and marched to City Hall, where speakers included Cynthia McKinney, Julia Wright, and Harold Wilson. VIEW the PHOTOS and VIDEO, featuring an exclusive interview with Veronica Jones about her new book (also watch video of March 31 press conference).

The Journalists for Mumia newspaper (see PDF) was released on April 19, and over 2,600 copies were passed out. Donations are needed.

ALSO SEE: Free Speech Radio News II Demo at US Embassy in Mexico City II Alternet report II Betsey Piette's A19 report II POCC Block Report Radio Show II Leonard Peltier for Mumia II FIST Statement II LGBT Rainbow Flags for Mumia II Imani Henry's Podcast II Cynthia McKinney Speech II Photos of KSS Racists at Geno's II Call to Pressure Officials II Michael Schiffmann's new articles on Judge Sabo, The Batson Ruling, and Billy Cook's Trial

Philadelphia Student Union held a rally at the School District building Thursday afternoon to call upon the School Reform Commission to be more transparent in its actions that affect students and parents in Philadelphia's public schools. "The District has made a habit of keeping their contracts under wraps. Do they have something to hide?" PSU’s flyers asked. Four PSU members washed the District building’s windows to illustrate their demand, as dozens of their fellow students, joined by Jobs with Justice/POWR, Media Mobilizing Project, Temple Student Labor Action Project, Unite-Here, and Youth United for Change, chanted and addressed the crowd. In her first public meeting as new Philadelphia schools CEO, Arlene Ackerman also came out to speak to PSU and its network.

Victories by a number of candidates not supported by the Democratic Party yesterday signal the changing landscape of the powerful machine politics in Philadelphia.