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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Shame!


By  CAP Action War Room

Sneak Attack on Abortion Rights in North Carolina

The GOP’s outrageous attacks on abortion rights and women’s health are spreading — and fast. After the dramatic showdown in Texas, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) signed a budget that included nearly two dozen new  restrictions on abortion rights. Then Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced that he would become the lead sponsor of the unconstitutional 20-week abortion ban that passed the House of Representatives last month.

Abortion rights activists rallying in Texas on Monday.

The most devious attack, however, just came out of nowhere in North Carolina. As we’ve observed before, the state government has been taken over by right-wing extremists. One of the many extreme bills to emerge from the North Carolina House was an offensive and unnecessary ban on Sharia law in the state. (Unfortunately, these Republican anti-Sharia law bills have become something of a trend in recent years.) At the very last minute before a holiday weekend, the North Carolina Senate took this bill up, added sweeping restrictions on abortion that would probably shutter all but one of the state’s clinics, and sent the bill back to the House. Protesters shouted “shame!” as the legislation was pushed through the Senate.

Abortion rights activists protesting today in North Carolina as the GOP rushed through a draconian anti-abortion law.

In Texas, the GOP tried to change the rules in the middle of the game but they did so in front of thousands of activists in the state capitol and more than 100,000 people watching online. In North Carolina, the sneak attack on abortion rights prompted even the state’s Republican governor to rebuke legislators for trying to rush the abortion restrictions through.

This latest controversy comes after weeks of Moral Monday protests against other measures before the legislature, which now include a shocking attack on voting rights following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.

BOTTOM LINE: The GOP has shown that it will resort to nearly any tactic, no matter how sneaky or unfair, in order to attack women and deny them the choice to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to have an abortion.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Building momentum for workers’ rights nationwide


Paid sick time is now a reality for a million more working New Yorkers.

Deal for Paid Sick Leave: Approved

Bring the fight for humane working conditions to Walmart and Darden Restaurants.

Over the past several months, thousands of ColorOfChange members and our partners helped build such monumental support for New York’s Earned Sick Time Act that the City Council easily overrode Mayor Bloomberg‘s callous veto earlier this week.1 The paid sick time benefit will improve the lives of over a million low-wage, largely Black and brown workers2 — it’s an important victory that we should all celebrate and feel proud of.

But there’s much more work to be done to ensure we’re all treated humanely in the workplace, and to effectively combat the growing attacks on workers’ rights we’re seeing across the nation. We’re working to shine a spotlight on the most egregious offenders — like Walmart and Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden and Red Lobster brands — whose long record of labor abuses has had devastating effects for Black workers in particular.

Can you chip in $10 or more to keep up the momentum of New York’s critical workers’ rights victory and help put an end to the endemic culture of worker abuse across the country?

Despite powerful business interests’ attempts to obstruct a vote on New York’s Earned Sick Time Act, ColorOfChange members,3 advocacy groups, labor unions and everyday New Yorkers remained undeterred, overcoming fierce anti-worker objections from Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Now when New Yorkers get sick, they can stay home instead of spreading airborne illness to co-workers, customers and fellow riders of public transportation.4

But the sad reality is that millions of Black folks across the country will still report to work tomorrow under inhumane conditions — without the benefit of paid sick time, and to workplaces where wage discrimination, worker abuse and harsh retaliation for speaking up are the norm.5,6 And these workers need your help, because corporations like Darden and Walmart have shown a stubborn commitment to squeezing as much profit as they can out of their underpaid employees. Both companies made headlines for slashing workers’ hours to avoid obligations under President Obama’s health care reform law,7 and Walmart is notorious for paying such meager wages that full-time workers must rely on public assistance to survive.8

ColorOfChange members have joined Darden and Walmart workers to force these companies into taking decisive action to reform their exploitative practices with regard to wages, scheduling, benefits, hiring and promotion policy, and workplace safety. And we’ve supported the first nationwide worker strike in the Walmart’s 50-year history.9 We will continue to stand with Walmart, Darden and other workers seeking humane working conditions and sensible, dignified benefit packages. But in order to secure more critical victories for workers’ rights like the one we we’re celebrating in New York, we’ll need your support.

Can you donate today to help build on New York City’s workers’ rights achievement? Click here to donate $10 or or whatever you can afford to help ColorOfChange effect positive change at Walmart and Darden. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Jamar, Kim and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team    July 3rd, 2013

References

1. “City council overrides Bloomberg; paid sick leave passes,” Amsterdam News, 06-27-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2738?t=8&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

2. “Paid Sick Leave for One Million New York workers,” Community Service Society, 08-30-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2731?t=10&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

3. “Black leaders increase pressure on Quinn to allow a paid sick leave vote,” Capital New York, 03-13-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2739?t=12&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

4. “NYC Needs Paid Sick Days, Not Lame Excuses,” City Limits, 04-03-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1658?t=14&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

5. “Workers grill Darden’s CEO at shareholders meeting,” Orlando Sentinel, 09-18-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2720?t=16&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

6. “Wal-Mart punishes its workers,” Salon, 07-26-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1915?t=18&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

7. “Darden CEO Fights California Bill That Would Fine Medicaid-Dependent Companies,” Huffington Post, 06-19-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2721?t=20&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

8. “Walmart Workers Need a Raise and a Voice, Truthout, 06-06-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2740?t=22&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

9. “Walmart employees kick off longest strike yet,” MSNBC, 05-28-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2722?t=24&akid=2967.1174326.amnBxC

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pelosi House Dems and the Headlines ~~ July 2013 ~~


English: Nancy Pelosi photo portrait as Speake...
English: Nancy Pelosi photo portrait as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pelosi Statement on the June Jobs Report

“Today’s jobs report is a step in the right direction for our workers, our businesses, and our middle class.  Now, we must act to put more people to work, expand our economy, and spur prosperity for all Americans.”
Friday, July 5, 2013
“A peaceful, democratic transition of power and the legitimate election of a new president are essential to ensuring Egypt’s prosperity and enduring stability.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
“The vast majority of businesses subject to the law’s responsibility requirement already provide health insurance to their employees.  Indeed, 98 percent of businesses with 200 or more employees and 94 percent of businesses with between 50 and 200 employees already offer coverage.  The Administration is providing these firms simplification in what they have to report.  This change will not affect upcoming enrollment in health insurance marketplaces nor a family’s ability to obtain insurance coverage that fits its needs.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
“To serve alongside Bill Gray was to be inspired by his passion and commitment, by his focus on the future and his belief in the common good.  It was an honor and a privilege to know him as a colleague and a friend.  We only hope it is a comfort to his wife, Andrea, his three sons, and his family and loved ones that so many share in their grief at this sad time.”
Monday, July 1, 2013

Pelosi: Americans Can’t Wait Another 100 Days for Republicans to Deliver a Final Budget

“Hard-working Americans cannot wait another 100 days for House Republicans to do their job.  House Democrats have named budget conferees and are ready to work together to reach an agreement.  It is time for Speaker Boehner to trade in Republican obstruction for an open negotiating process so we can deliver a budget that promotes economic growth, invests in innovation and infrastructure, and reflects the values of the American people.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
“Securing a higher education is no longer a luxury for America’s youth; it is a necessity for economic opportunity and prosperity.  Democrats are ready to work across the aisle to ensure students are not left to foot the bill of Republican obstruction and delay.  We must restore the lower interest rate and secure the success of America by securing the success of America’s students.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
“As the Yarnell fire continues to spread, as wildfires across the Southwest threaten Americans’ homes and communities, we will stand ready to do what we can to assist state and local leaders to battle the blazes, to save lives, to ultimately recover and rebuild.  Our united response and actions will be a fitting memorial to the 19 firefighters who perished in this terrible tragedy.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President’​s Visit to Africa


The Best Photos from the President’s Visit to Africa

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as daughters Sasha and Malia, just returned from their June 26 – July 3 visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. And our photographers have chosen some of their favorite photos from the trip — capturing some incredible behind-the-scenes moments.

Click here to view a photo recap of the First Family’s trip.

The First Lady, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, joined President Obama’s official visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania on June 26–July 2. During the trip, the First Lady met with young people and highlighted the power of education.

We’re Listening to Businesses about the Health Care Law

As we implement the Affordable Care Act, we have and will continue to make changes as needed. In our ongoing discussions with businesses we have heard that you need the time to get this right. We are listening. So in response to your concerns, we are cutting red tape and giving businesses more time to comply

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Honoring Carole King at the White House

Earlier this year, legendary singer and songwriter Carole King was honored at the White House as the recipient of the 2013 Gershwin Prize for Popular song. King is the first woman to receive the award, which was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress to recognize “the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture”.

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Powering Africa

Nearly 70 percent of Africans lack access to electricity, and yesterday, President Obama visited the Ubungo Symbion Power Plant in Dar es Salaam to highlight a new initiative called Power Africa, which aims to double the number of people across the continent who have access to power.

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