Tag Archives: Emancipation Proclamation

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See how far we have come on our construction


 Lonnie Bunch at the NMAAHC

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Help us build the Museum by donating today!

 

With generous support from friends like you, we have passed the midpoint in the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture!

Now we’re in the process of installing of the three-tiered “corona” that will crown the building and surround the main galleries.

Composed of 3,600 cast-aluminum panels finished in bronze-colored alloy, the architecturally-dramatic corona incorporates African and African American design elements — inspired by both slave-made New Orleans ornamental ironwork and the headdress of a caryatid, a human-shaped porch column used by the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria and southern Benin.

Once completed, the corona will visually define the Museum inside and out. Sunlight entering through its panels will gently illuminate the Museum’s wood-covered interior walls. And at night, light reflecting off the corona’s spectacular exterior will make the Museum truly stand out on the National Mall — as it reaches to the heavens to express the faith, hope and resilience of the African American spirit.

Thanks to your commitment, we’re entering the homestretch to the Museum’s 2016 opening.

But we still need to raise $250 million from private sources to complete the building, assemble our collection of African American historical and cultural treasures, and create our opening exhibitions and other programming. And I’m counting on your continued help to make it happen.

Carmen, please consider making a special gift of $50 or more today to help meet this critical goal and ensure that the Museum opens our doors on schedule next year.

The Museum’s opening will mark an important step forward in America’s understanding of who we are as a nation and how we can build a better future together. It will be a place where ALL visitors can learn about the African American experience that is inextricably woven into the fabric of America’s history — shining a spotlight on people, achievements and events that have played such a critical role in shaping our nation, but are too often forgotten or ignored.

Thank you again for your leadership in making this important addition to our shared American heritage possible!

All the best,
Lonnie_Signature.jpg
Lonnie G. Bunch
Founding Director

P.S. Together, we’ve made remarkable strides toward creating a living, breathing museum that will educate all Americans about African American history and culture, while fostering understanding and reconciliation. Please help us finish the job and open the Museum on by making a generous donation today.
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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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Why does Mitch McConnell want to Shutdown the Government ?


By

Mitch McConnell Promises To Shut Down Government If GOP Takes Over Senate This November

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) just laid out the GOP strategy if it takes over the Senate. In short: if you think conservative obstruction is grinding Congress to a halt right now, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Politico’s Manu Raju reports on McConnell’s plans:

Mitch McConnell has a game plan to confront President Barack Obama with a stark choice next year: Accept bills reining in the administration’s policies or veto them and risk a government shutdown.

In an extensive interview here, the typically reserved McConnell laid out his clearest thinking yet of how he would lead the Senate if Republicans gain control of the chamber. The emerging strategy: Attach riders to spending bills that would limit Obama policies on everything from the environment to health care, consider using an arcane budget tactic to circumvent Democratic filibusters and force the president to “move to the center” if he wants to get any new legislation through Congress.

In short, it’s a recipe for a confrontational end to the Obama presidency.

“We’re going to pass spending bills, and they’re going to have a lot of restrictions on the activities of the bureaucracy,” McConnell said in an interview aboard his campaign bus traveling through Western Kentucky coal country. “That’s something he won’t like, but that will be done. I guarantee it.”

It appears McConnell, who proudly called himself the “guardian of gridlock,” would take things to a whole new level if he takes control of the Senate chamber: use the threat of a shutdown in a proactive effort to undo the progress that we have made when it comes to health care, the environment, and more. There is little else that could be as destructive. Remember what happened last year when conservative opposition led to the first government shutdown in almost 20 years? The results were not pretty:

The list goes on.

At the same time, a media narrative seems to be forming that during this primary season the GOP’s “establishment” candidates (with the exception of Eric Cantor) are fending off the Tea Party and winning their elections. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Rep. Cory Gardner of Colorado. And last night, Attorney General Dan Sullivan of Alaska. The reality is that “establishment” candidates still push for radical, out-of-touch policies: supporting an amendment to ban abortion and even some common forms of contraception; refusing to acknowledge man-made climate change; opposing marriage equality. And Mitch McConnell’s plan to shut down the government again belongs at the top of the list.

BOTTOM LINE: Mitch McConnell has made the GOP plan if it takes over the Senate clear: force a government shutdown. The last shutdown caused major damage to our economy, but that doesn’t seem to bother McConnell and Republicans. McConnell isn’t in it to help Kentucky or the country; he wants only to block President Obama and progress wherever he can.

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Orangutans and palm oil


WorldOrangutanDay_v1.pngRan

August 19, 2014, World Orangutan Day!

There are only 60,600 orangutans left in the wild, and unchecked palm oil expansion in Indonesia and Malaysia is driving these beautiful creatures to the brink of extinction. Join people all over the world who are taking a stand for endangered orangutans and ask PepsiCo to get Conflict Palm Oil out of our food.

If you’ve been following our summer campaign push on PepsiCo, you know that things are heating up! Our message that #LiveForNow shouldn’t mean destroying tomorrow is hitting PepsiCo in a big way via all your beautiful photos and tweets, but today is the day to go big. Here is how to make a difference for orangutans on World Orangutan Day:

  1. Sign up right now for Thursday’s Twitter training with our expert digital team. In one hour you will become a social media ninja and walk away with the skills and knowledge to strategically pressure corporations on Twitter.
  2. Download your own sign, get a photo of yourself (bonus: with friends) holding the sign in front of any Pepsi display, product, vending machine or logo and start tweeting at @PepsiCo with YOUR demands and the hashtag #LiveForNow. Not sure what to say? Here’s a tweet I posted as an example.

Join me on World Orangutan Day by taking a stand for our red furry friends! Help us push huge corporations, like PepsiCo, to change.

Thank you!

Ashley Schaeffer Yildiz
Rainforest Action Network

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The Most-Share​d Enhanced Slides from the State of the Union


View and share enhanced slides from the State of the Union 

President Obama Travels the Country to Promote Opportunity for All

Following the State of the Union address, the President traveled around the country this week to talk more about the importance of opportunity for all.

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Mad Men, Working Women, and Fair Pay

As the President said Tuesday, “Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.” It’s time for women to get equal pay for equal work.

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This Is What Members of Congress Got Before Tuesday Night’s Speech

Want all the facts? During the State of the Union, we hand out a “pocket card” to Members of Congress so they can get all the facts in one quick, easy to read place. This year we’re sharing it with you, too.

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