July 2010

Kentucky JwJ Challenges Community to Call for Full Employment

Submitted by Attica Woodson Scott on July 30, 2010

Originally appeared in the July 26th edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Are you unemployed? Are you receiving unemployment compensation? Are you about to lose your unemployment benefits? Do you care about people who are unemployed?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you most certainly will want to join Kentucky Jobs with Justice on Sept. 15, along with allies from organized labor, community groups, faith leaders, student activists and progressive elected officials, as we hold a day of direct action on full and fair employment.

This day of direct action stems from energy generated at the July 7 march and rally in downtown Louisville at Sen. Mitch McConnell's office and the U.S. Social Forum, which drew over 25,000 national activists to Detroit (including more than 125 from Kentucky) for issue awareness and massive networking to solve social ills on the principle of: “Another world is possible, another U.S. is necessary.”

A month before the Sept. 15 day of direct action, we will begin building relationships with individuals who are directly impacted by the jobs crisis by visiting the unemployment office located at Sixth and Cedar and listening to the stories that people have to tell.

North Texas Activists Demand Action on Jobs

Submitted by Gene Lantz on July 30, 2010

North Texas Jobs with Justice initiated a news conference on July 2, 2010, and a broad group of progressive leaders responded -- progressive people and organizations are coming together for this fight.

This crisis is immoral

Among them were a faith leader, a community organizer, and several unionists. The Reverend Ed Middleton of First Community Church read scripture and interpreted Bible verses to show that people must become involved in the most just cause of today -- survival!

Stop the layoffs!

Christopher Head of the Steelworkers union talked about the cuts hanging over the heads of Dallas City employees. He told the assembled reporters, including three television crews, that Keynesian economics should be used to rescue workers from the ravages of unemployment, just as it was used in the last great jobs crisis.

Central Indiana JwJ supports Hyatt workers in civil disobedience action as part of nationwide protests

Submitted by Allison Luthe on July 29, 2010

Indianapolis Civil Disobedience for Hotel Workers Rising Campaign at the HyattFor the first time in Indianapolis’s recent history, 43 participants staged a mass civil disobedience in front of the Hyatt Regency downtown.  Hospitality workers and community supporters of the hotel workers were there to stand up for the Hyatt workers who have been asking management to stay neutral since November of 2008.  Among the 43 were two JwJ staff members, seven steering committee members and many other JwJ pledge signers.

JwJ San Francisco Sits Down to Support Hotel Workers Rising

Submitted by Sheila R. Tully on July 29, 2010

JwJ San Francisco Participates in Civil Disobedience supporting Hyatt WorkersMembers of Jobs with Justice San Francisco turned out in force to support UNITE HERE Local 2 hotel and restaurant workers as they took to the streets to demand a fair contract on July 22.  Prior to the rally at Local 2 Plaza in downtown San Francisco, community activists, clergy, and union members packed a civil disobedience training session at Local 2 headquarters.  There they reviewed plans to close the street in front of the Grand Hyatt in Union Square.

Tell your Senators: Vote YES to extend unemployment benefits

Submitted by JwJNational on July 19, 2010

Unemployment benefits expired for 2.5 million long-term jobless back in May.  Since then, the Senate has almost restored unemployment benefits three times, but each time Republicans have blocked the votes with procedural delays.

Tomorrow, the unemployment benefits extension is expected to come to a vote.  Tell your Senators not to fall for GOP scare-tactics about the budget deficit -- or their offensive assertions that the unemployed are "spoiled" brats who are just "sitting there" collecting unemployment benefits.

One job for every five people looking for work is a jobless emergency, and we need emergency action now!

TAKE ACTION

Historic Financial Reform Passes!

Submitted by JwJNational on July 16, 2010

They said we couldn’t do it, but they were wrong.  JwJ and our partners out-organized the big banks!

On Thursday, two years after the financial meltdown that has spiraled into the worst economic crisis in a generation, the Senate finally voted to approve the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act.  This financial reform bill takes some key steps towards breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country.

This important victory is just the beginning.  We will continue organizing to hold the big banks accountable and work to ensure that the banks who profit from our money benefit our communities.

Unemployed Workers Visit Illinois 10th District Rep. Mark Kirk

Submitted by Allison Fletche... on July 15, 2010

Earlier today, members of the Chicago Jobs with Justice Unemployed Workers' Council and allies paid a visit to Representative (and Illinois Senate candidate) Mark Kirk's office in Northbrook, Illinois to protest his opposition to extending unemployment benefits.

Jorge Ramirez, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, spoke to Rep. Kirk's staff, "that's the primary reason why a lot of these folks are here.  They're unemployed, their unemployment benefits are getting cut off... he needs to know that the votes he makes in Washington are directly accountable to the people you see in this room."

The House has already voted to extend unemployment benefits (without Rep. Kirk's support), but it has yet to pass the Senate.  A Senate vote is expected Tuesday.

ACT NOW to Hold Banks Accountable

Submitted by JwJNational on July 13, 2010

They said we couldn't do it.  But they were wrong.  JwJ and our partners overcame $1.5 Million PER DAY of banker lobbying!

On Thursday, the Senate plans to vote on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act.  This financial reform bill that takes some key steps towards breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country -- and we need everyone to ACT NOW to pass it!

Kentuckians Demand Unemployment Benefits Extension

Submitted by Attica Woodson Scott on July 9, 2010

On Wednesday, July 7th, as a prelude to our first big action following the US Social Forum (which will be on September 15th), Kentucky JwJ stood in solidarity with millions who have lost their jobs and face a desperate future.

Although this was a last minute call to action, at least 50 protesters showed up to march outside of the office of Senator Mitch McConnell in Louisville.  Our demand was an immediate extension of unemployment benefits and protection of Social Security and Medicare — our precious social safety net programs won by generations of struggle.

Several individuals on unemployment spoke, including longtime Kentucky Jobs with Justice activist Gail Helinger.  She has been laid off for over a year now, and her unemployment compensation will end soon unless Congress acts quickly!

Gail and several other unemployed workers marched into Senator McConnell’s office to speak with him about this issue but, of course, he was unavailable.  They were able to speak to an aide who informed them that the Senator will vote for extension of unemployment benefits that is fiscally responsible.

We then marched several blocks to the unemployment office to distribute leaflets with the following call to action:

Are you unemployed?  Are you receiving unemployment compensation?  Are you about to lose your unemployment benefits?  Do you care about people who are unemployed?

Social Networking for Social Justice at the US Social Forum

Submitted by Ashley Phillips on July 8, 2010

The main purpose of social media is to make it easier for people to stay connected with family and friends around the world.  Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube have created a space where people can share pictures, videos, and generally keep in touch.  In recent years, organizations have been finding new ways to utilize these social mediums to spread their message and reach more people.

At the US Social Forum, the workshop "Social Networking for Social Justice", facilitated by  Attica Scott of Kentucky JwJ and Shameka Parrish-Wright of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, illustrated some of the ways that social media can aid in the fight for social justice.

For social justice organizations, one of the main advantages of using social networking to spread a message or further a movement is that it’s FREE.  Social media is like free advertising - you can say all that you need to say and reach so many people without having to pay a dime.  Another advantage to using social media is that you can present your message in a fun interactive way, and in ways that will attract new comers and keep the interest of already loyal followers.

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Jobs with Justice is a national network of local coalitions that bring together labor unions, faith groups, community organizations, and student activists to fight for working people. Our members are in the streets in 46 cities in 24 states across the country.

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