Monthly Archives: December 2014

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Ferguson:


Violent Missouri police are trying to silence #JusticeForMikeBrown.

OBS marches through the streets demanding justice for Mike Brown in front of Missouri police

Chip in $15 to help St. Louis’ Organization of Black Struggle hire a full-time police accountability organizer:

 

The situation in Ferguson is extreme. Community organizers, journalists, and residents face brutal assaults on their safety and civil rights due to a dangerous and militarized Missouri police force; officers in tanks, clad in riot-gear, are firing rubber-coated bullets and smoke grenades, unleashing tear gas on children, and unlawfully arresting peaceful protestors.1

At the front lines of the fight for justice is Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) — whose tiny volunteer staff have been working around the clock to hold Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson fully accountable for brutally killing Michael. But OBS is stretched to the limit and their resources are rapidly depleting. In order to sustain the fight for justice and continue organizing peaceful protests in the face of escalating police violence, OBS needs additional staff and resources.2

Can you chip in $15 today to help Organization for Black Struggle continue their critical work and hire a full-time police accountability organizer?

When we first heard about the tragic police killing of Michael Brown, ColorOfChange reached out to OBS. For decades, this stalwart organization has organized and fought against a punitive and discriminatory culture of policing rampant across the St. Louis area. Since Michael was executed, OBS has been overwhelmed by media requests and progressive groups looking for leadership. Yesterday, when news broke of another tragic police killing in St. Louis OBS was the first to respond.3 Despite limited resources, they continue to bring to life a strategic vision for securing justice for Michael and bringing about sustainable and systemic policing reforms in Missouri. The only thing holding them back is resources. Groups like OBS that fully commit to the long, hard, work of transforming policing practices and securing accountability deserve our support.

In a few short weeks the media spotlight on Ferguson may fade away and we need the strongest possible organizing front on the ground. Please chip in $15 to help OBS hire a full time #JusticeForMikeBrown organizer.

Over the weekend, Ferguson residents experienced some of the worst police violence since Michael Brown was killed.4 Local officials continue to prove incapable of a fair investigation and instead of arresting Officer Wilson for executing Michael they are focused on victim blaming and increasing police militarization.5 Today, all eyes are on Ferguson as National Guard soldiers occupy the city and continue to unjustly crackdown on peaceful protestors and bystanders.6 And it doesn’t have to be this way. The strong organizing of groups like OBS is crucial to resisting ongoing attempts to arrest and criminalize Black organizers and maintain a focus on securing justice for Michael. Furthermore, by supporting OBS today you can ensure a lasting police accountability presence in Ferguson long after the media attention has dwindled.

All funds will be sent directly to OBS. Once you chip in, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and peace,

Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Jamar, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange team

References

1. “Ten Facts About Police Violence in Ferguson Sunday Night,” Huffington Post, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3773?t=9&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

2. “OBS and Hands Up Don’t Shoot Issue Demands,” Organization of Black Struggle, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3777?t=11&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

3. “Police Officers Involved In Fatal Shooting Just Miles From Ferguson,” ThinkProgess 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3781?t=13&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

4. “7 Arrested in Ferguson Were Sitting in Cars, Some Were Dragged Out by Hair,” Missourians Organizing for Refom and Empowerment, 08-17-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3775?t=15&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

5. “Ferguson police chief: Officer didn’t stop Brown as robbery suspect,” CNN, 08-15-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3771?t=17&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

6. “Chaos erupts again in Ferguson,” USA Today, 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3778?t=19&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

The situation in Ferguson is extreme. Community organizers, journalists, and residents face brutal assaults on their safety and civil rights due to a dangerous and militarized Missouri police force; officers in tanks, clad in riot-gear, are firing rubber-coated bullets and smoke grenades, unleashing tear gas on children, and unlawfully arresting peaceful protestors.1

At the front lines of the fight for justice is Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) — whose tiny volunteer staff have been working around the clock to hold Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson fully accountable for brutally killing Michael. But OBS is stretched to the limit and their resources are rapidly depleting. In order to sustain the fight for justice and continue organizing peaceful protests in the face of escalating police violence, OBS needs additional staff and resources.2

Can you chip in $15 today to help Organization for Black Struggle continue their critical work and hire a full-time police accountability organizer?

When we first heard about the tragic police killing of Michael Brown, ColorOfChange reached out to OBS. For decades, this stalwart organization has organized and fought against a punitive and discriminatory culture of policing rampant across the St. Louis area. Since Michael was executed, OBS has been overwhelmed by media requests and progressive groups looking for leadership. Yesterday, when news broke of another tragic police killing in St. Louis OBS was the first to respond.3 Despite limited resources, they continue to bring to life a strategic vision for securing justice for Michael and bringing about sustainable and systemic policing reforms in Missouri. The only thing holding them back is resources. Groups like OBS that fully commit to the long, hard, work of transforming policing practices and securing accountability deserve our support.

In a few short weeks the media spotlight on Ferguson may fade away and we need the strongest possible organizing front on the ground. Please chip in $15 to help OBS hire a full time #JusticeForMikeBrown organizer.

Over the weekend, Ferguson residents experienced some of the worst police violence since Michael Brown was killed.4 Local officials continue to prove incapable of a fair investigation and instead of arresting Officer Wilson for executing Michael they are focused on victim blaming and increasing police militarization.5 Today, all eyes are on Ferguson as National Guard soldiers occupy the city and continue to unjustly crackdown on peaceful protestors and bystanders.6 And it doesn’t have to be this way. The strong organizing of groups like OBS is crucial to resisting ongoing attempts to arrest and criminalize Black organizers and maintain a focus on securing justice for Michael. Furthermore, by supporting OBS today you can ensure a lasting police accountability presence in Ferguson long after the media attention has dwindled.

All funds will be sent directly to OBS. Once you chip in, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and peace,

Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Jamar, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange team

References

1. “Ten Facts About Police Violence in Ferguson Sunday Night,” Huffington Post, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3773?t=9&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

2. “OBS and Hands Up Don’t Shoot Issue Demands,” Organization of Black Struggle, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3777?t=11&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

3. “Police Officers Involved In Fatal Shooting Just Miles From Ferguson,” ThinkProgess 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3781?t=13&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

4. “7 Arrested in Ferguson Were Sitting in Cars, Some Were Dragged Out by Hair,” Missourians Organizing for Refom and Empowerment, 08-17-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3775?t=15&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

5. “Ferguson police chief: Officer didn’t stop Brown as robbery suspect,” CNN, 08-15-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3771?t=17&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

6. “Chaos erupts again in Ferguson,” USA Today, 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3778?t=19&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

The situation in Ferguson is extreme. Community organizers, journalists, and residents face brutal assaults on their safety and civil rights due to a dangerous and militarized Missouri police force; officers in tanks, clad in riot-gear, are firing rubber-coated bullets and smoke grenades, unleashing tear gas on children, and unlawfully arresting peaceful protestors.1

At the front lines of the fight for justice is Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) — whose tiny volunteer staff have been working around the clock to hold Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson fully accountable for brutally killing Michael. But OBS is stretched to the limit and their resources are rapidly depleting. In order to sustain the fight for justice and continue organizing peaceful protests in the face of escalating police violence, OBS needs additional staff and resources.2

Can you chip in $15 today to help Organization for Black Struggle continue their critical work and hire a full-time police accountability organizer?

When we first heard about the tragic police killing of Michael Brown, ColorOfChange reached out to OBS. For decades, this stalwart organization has organized and fought against a punitive and discriminatory culture of policing rampant across the St. Louis area. Since Michael was executed, OBS has been overwhelmed by media requests and progressive groups looking for leadership. Yesterday, when news broke of another tragic police killing in St. Louis OBS was the first to respond.3 Despite limited resources, they continue to bring to life a strategic vision for securing justice for Michael and bringing about sustainable and systemic policing reforms in Missouri. The only thing holding them back is resources. Groups like OBS that fully commit to the long, hard, work of transforming policing practices and securing accountability deserve our support.

In a few short weeks the media spotlight on Ferguson may fade away and we need the strongest possible organizing front on the ground. Please chip in $15 to help OBS hire a full time #JusticeForMikeBrown organizer.

Over the weekend, Ferguson residents experienced some of the worst police violence since Michael Brown was killed.4 Local officials continue to prove incapable of a fair investigation and instead of arresting Officer Wilson for executing Michael they are focused on victim blaming and increasing police militarization.5 Today, all eyes are on Ferguson as National Guard soldiers occupy the city and continue to unjustly crackdown on peaceful protestors and bystanders.6 And it doesn’t have to be this way. The strong organizing of groups like OBS is crucial to resisting ongoing attempts to arrest and criminalize Black organizers and maintain a focus on securing justice for Michael. Furthermore, by supporting OBS today you can ensure a lasting police accountability presence in Ferguson long after the media attention has dwindled.

All funds will be sent directly to OBS. Once you chip in, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and peace,

Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Jamar, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange team

References

1. “Ten Facts About Police Violence in Ferguson Sunday Night,” Huffington Post, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3773?t=9&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

2. “OBS and Hands Up Don’t Shoot Issue Demands,” Organization of Black Struggle, 08-18-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3777?t=11&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

3. “Police Officers Involved In Fatal Shooting Just Miles From Ferguson,” ThinkProgess 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3781?t=13&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

4. “7 Arrested in Ferguson Were Sitting in Cars, Some Were Dragged Out by Hair,” Missourians Organizing for Refom and Empowerment, 08-17-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3775?t=15&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

5. “Ferguson police chief: Officer didn’t stop Brown as robbery suspect,” CNN, 08-15-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3771?t=17&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

6. “Chaos erupts again in Ferguson,” USA Today, 08-19-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3778?t=19&akid=3585.1174326.FPrYUG

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The Secret Giveaways To Big Money Political Donors Tucked Into 1600-page Federal Budget Bill


By

‘Cromnibus’ Tries To Sneak Through Another Blow To Campaign Spending Limits

With less than two days to go before another government shutdown, last night House and Senate leadership unveiled compromise budget legislation nicknamed the “cromnibus” — a portmanteau of continuing resolution, or CR, and an omnibus spending bill. While the main flashpoint going into these negotiations was conservatives’ radical reaction to President Obama’s executive action on immigration, in the light of day, a number of other odious provisions threaten to derail the bill’s passage.

ThinkProgress has a good run-down of the cromnibus’ troubling last-minute additions: handouts to Wall Street, cuts to IRS enforcement, interference in D.C.’s new voter-approved marijuana legalization, and a cold shoulder to students, the homeless, and those in need of affordable housing.

But today’s focus is on how Congress tried to sneak through the removal of more campaign finance limits and hand more even more control of the political system to the wealthiest and corporations. On page 1,599 of the 1,603-page cromnibus, the last-minute provision dramatically increases the caps on donor contributions to the national political parties. Right now, the most any single person can donate to candidates, parties and federal PACs was $129,600 in a single year (already more than 2.5 times the nation’s median income). But in the current version of the cromnibus, a donor’s maximum contribution would shoot up all the way to $777,600, by raising the cap on donations to party conventions from $32,400 to $97,200. In addition, it allows the national party committees to establish separate accounts for buildings and separate accounts for recounts and legal fees. Add it all up and it means a new flood of money in politics from wealthy donors and corporation– indeed, it’s a crafty way to create a solution where a problem doesn’t exist.

While that provision is particularly noxious, Common Cause also reports that there’s an additional attack on transparency tucked away in the cromnibus. The bill blocks the President from requiring federal contractors to disclose their political donations. So not only could companies that deal directly with the federal government hide their donations in plain sight, their contributions to officeholders could jump dramatically.

BOTTOM LINE: This cromnibus is a canary in the coal mine for how Republicans plan to govern in 2015. It reflects their priorities to increase the influence of the wealthy while cutting transparency at the same time. It will take continued vigilance to make sure that people like incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who profess to be for the middle class, don’t get even more opportunities to take speech away from the average person and give it to those at the very top

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Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org … What happened yesterday


 To be real with you, I was hoping that I’d never have to send you this email.
If we learn one thing from yesterday’s election, it’s that — now more than ever — is a time to organize.ColorOfChange IMageWe can’t afford to stop fighting. Sustain racial justice organizing with a $3 monthly pledge to ColorOfChange.

Contribute

 

To be real with you, I was hoping that I’d never have to send you this email. With Republicans now in control of the Senate, we will see a change in Congress that signals deep challenges for our families and communities.

Over the coming weeks and months, analysts will have much to say about the role that Black voters played in this election. Already we know that across the country, Black voters defied expectations and turned out at rates higher than in 2010 despite continued attempts by the right wing to suppress our votes.

And, unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough.

It wasn’t enough for Kay Hagan (D-NC) who lost a must-win Senate seat to Thom Tillis (R-NC) by a razor thin margin — while our communities faced the most aggressive voter suppression laws passed in the country since the Voting Rights Act. It wasn’t enough in Georgia, either, as we watched Michelle Nunn (D-GA) concede while thousands of voter registration forms remained unprocessed. And it certainly wasn’t enough in Kentucky where Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) Democratic challenger wouldn’t even admit to voting for President Obama.

As a movement, we’ve got a lot to figure out; a lot more work to do to hold the people in power accountable.

I know this much: an America in which candidates are afraid or unwilling to speak directly to Black voters about the issues that matter to us is an unacceptable, insufferable status quo; an America where politicians ignore police violence and support a broken criminal justice system, prioritize corporate interests over community values and fight to make it harder for us to vote is intolerable.

If we learn one thing from yesterday’s election, it’s that — now more than ever — is a time to organize.

Will you help sustain this movement with a $3 monthly contribution?

Obscured by the larger national picture, yesterday had some meaningful victories which demonstrate the strength of our movement. Californians passed Proposition 47 which will force the state to change course from four-decades of misguided, incarceration-only policies which have destabilized Black families and drained resources from Black communities.

Massachusetts passed a bill providing for earned sick time that will relieve working folks of having to choose between their job and the health of their families. Additionally, voters in South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas and Alaska passing ballot measures to increase the minimum wage shows that there is a groundswell of popular support for issues of economic equality but candidates must exhibit political courage to move this agenda forward.

And despite the Republican takeover, the 114th Congress will have more Black members than at any time in history.

With announcements coming soon about the indictments of the officers responsible for murdering Mike Brown and Eric Garner our movement has never been more important. We can’t afford to stop fighting.

Yes — I will make a $3 monthly pledge to stand with ColorOfChange and continue holding politicians accountable.

Thanks and peace,

Rashad

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NBC, ABC Tout Democrats’ ‘Anger’ at Budget Bill; Omit GOP Complaints – See more at: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2014/12/10/nbc-abc-tout-democrats-anger-budget-bill-omit-gop-complaints#sthash.4uWlztFi.dpuf


The Wednesday editions of NBC Nightly News and ABC’s World News Tonight both spotlighted many Democratic lawmakers’ objections to portions of a proposed budget compromise in Congress. However, the two evening newscasts couldn’t be bothered to mention that many congressional Republicans and their conservative allies also object to parts of the bill, especially on immigration and on social issues.

ABC’s David Muir gave a brief underlining the “fine print” in the legislation, as a on-screen graphic labeled them, but he only included the impacts on liberal pet projects: [video below]

DAVID MUIR: An 11th-hour deal from Washington tonight to keep the government running, but some big surprises to make it happen. They have significantly weakened campaign finance reform. Donors can give up to ten times more than they can now to party committees. Congress also squashing a move, approved by voters, to legalize pot in D.C. Even First Lady Mrs. Obama’s healthy school lunch program taking a hit. Lawmakers begin voting on the measure tomorrow.

http://www.mrctv.org/videos/nbc-abc-tout-democrats-anger-budget-bill-omit-gop-complaints

– See more at: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2014/12/10/nbc-abc-tout-democrats-anger-budget-bill-omit-gop-complaints#sthash.4uWlztFi.dpuf

On NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams introduced correspondent Kelly O’Donnell’s report by outlining that “Congress has to pass a spending bill by tomorrow or risk another government shutdown. A deal was announced on this, but apparently, that was before all the people who will vote on it actually looked at what was in it. And now, the public is learning what was jammed into the bill when a lot of us weren’t looking.” Williams then underlined that “it may all fall apart just below the deadline.”

O’Donnell included only one Republican soundbite during the segment from House Speaker John Boehner, who complimented the proposed bill. The other three clips came from Democrats – including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren, who both reacted negatively to the compromise. She also highlighted the same complaints from liberals that Muir zeroed in on:

– See more at: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2014/12/10/nbc-abc-tout-democrats-anger-budget-bill-omit-gop-complaints#sthash.4uWlztFi.dpuf

KELLY O’DONNELL (voice-over): Your Congress was gearing up to claim a big victory.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BOEHNER, (R), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE (from press conference): I’m proud of the work that they’ve done.

O’DONNELL: Keeping the government open – not with another crisis-driven, short-term fix – but a real, year-long budget for nearly all federal departments.

SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI, (D), MARYLAND (from speech on Senate floor): What we’re talking about here is a monumental achievement.

O’DONNELL: A $1.1 trillion deal that includes new money to fight Ebola and ISIS militants; beefing up food safety inspections; and giving a small raise to most of the military – a huge package hammered out by a select group of Democrats and Republicans.

Sounds promising, right? Not so fast. When the 1,600 pages went public, surprise and anger – mostly from Democrats – who threatened to pull their support, when they learned the details in this must-pass bill.

REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI, (D), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: Our members are just very, very concerned about it.

O’DONNELL: Many Democrats don’t like a last-minute change from the top Republican leaders to alter campaign finance rules, so big donors can give ten times more money – up to $324,000; watering down requirements for school lunch nutrition, backed by Mrs. Obama; cutting staff at the Environmental Protection Agency; stopping the District of Columbia from legalizing marijuana; and most controversial: rolling back a current ban on taxpayer bailouts for big banks that engage in high-risk investments.

Liberal lawmakers, like Elizabeth Warren, say that can’t happen – even though it was part of a compromise deal.

O’DONNELL (on-camera, from press conference): The public says it wants compromise. Is this compromise gone wrong?

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN: This isn’t about compromise. This is about reckless behavior.

O’DONNELL (live): Warren wants lawmakers to drop that bailout provision tonight, but that seems unlikely up against the deadline. Senior Democrats, who negotiated this deal, tell me they think they got the best package possible – especially when you consider Republicans will have more members and more power next month.

CBS Evening News didn’t devote any air time to the congressional action. Instead, the program aired full reports on their new poll on race relations in America; the “extreme weather” across the country; Senate Democrats’ CIA interrogation report and the “swift reaction to the Senate report from Muslim extremists;” new doubts about the alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia; and high school students’ views on race relations.

– See more at: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2014/12/10/nbc-abc-tout-democrats-anger-budget-bill-omit-gop-complaints#sthash.4uWlztFi.dpuf

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Avaaz, and the game-changer of our time


Things feel fragile right now. The world hasn’t seen this many refugees since world war 2. The politics of fear is rising. We’re decimating our planet — 95% of the mammals we’ve left alive are us, and the animals we breed to eat! And climate change threatens our very survival.

 

Rising to the moment in the climate march. Let’s build this magic in 2015!

And yet, never has the status and power of women been greater. Never before has more than half the human race lived in democracies. And we’ve cut global poverty in half in the last generation, and are on track to end it in this one. Never before has our human potential been so unleashed to decide our own fate.

Seems like, just when we’re on the edge of our dreams, our worst demons come. And we face a moment of choice and challenge – to rise, or fall.

This is our moment, our challenge to meet. There’s 40 million of us now, the largest campaigning community ever. This fall, millions of us changed the political game on climate change. It was magical. From politicians, media and people, I’m hearing the same thing – we’re bringing hope. And hope is exactly what our world is desperate for. It’s the game changer.

That hope and this precious community is made possible by just a few of us who choose to give a small weekly donation (the price of a cup of coffee) that covers all of our core costs.