Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Progressives Roll Out Plans For Major Banking Protest In October

The following article was written at the link you will find below. We have not yet seen massive protests against the thieves who have stolen our money and our economy, so hopefully this will be the beginning.

http://progressillinois.com/2009/9/8/progressives-major-banking-protest

In October, the American Bankers Association (ABA) will hold its annual convention in Chicago, which will feature appearances by conservative commentators such George Will and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. When the financiers arrive, however, a coalition of community groups and labor organizations will be there to greet them. The Chicago-based National People’s Action, the SEIU Illinois Council (which sponsors this website), and over 30 other affiliated organizations are planning a three-day demonstration outside of the gathering at which they will "demand an end to unfair predatory banking practices that enrich banks while continuing to hamper an economic recovery." From a press release:

“The nation’s top bankers need to see that working families are furious and outraged,” said Tom Balanoff, president of the SEIU Illinois Council. “The mess these bankers created continues to force working families into the unemployment line and into home foreclosures. Meanwhile, the banking industry lobby in Washington stifles efforts to stem these foreclosures. What have these bankers done to deserve the billions in bonuses so many of them received? We will not allow this convention to become a big party for the nation’s banks. They have done nothing to celebrate."

The organizers' hope is to not only mobilize Illinois and Chicago residents fed up with the banks, but also to attract outraged citizens from elsewhere in the country. The first day of the protest -- October 25 -- is still a ways off, but be sure to mark your calendar.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Big Business's Hidden Hand in the Smear Job on Van Jones

We shouldn't be surprised that Van Jones was targeted by the carbon generators. See the article below for proof.
http://www.alternet.org/story/142481/

Monday, September 7, 2009

Van Jones Forced to Resign

The forced resignation of Van Jones, who will soon be appearing in our film "Heist" is a national disgrace. Van Jones is an incredible leader, a visionary, and one who truly understands the twin disasters that have befallen us, in the form of an economic meltdown and an ecological meltdown, and how we can dig our way out of both. The vicious attacks by the Right Wing on Van are part of a deliberate strategy to make Obama's presidency ungovernable. David Brock the head of Media Matters predicted this type of scenario in his book, "The Republican Talk Machine," 5 years ago.

We have an hour long interview with Van, in which he speaks so eloquently about the demise of free market fundamentalism, and so much more. We must rally behind him, and as Alternet put it so well, recognize him as the national leader he already is.

I say let's have a big welcome home party for him here in Oakland.