Month: April 2012

Lessons of the Seattle General Strike of 1919

What is a General Strike?Lately, with the growth of the Occupy movement, there's been a lot of talk about the general strike as a weapon of the class struggle. The Occupy Oakland port shutdown on Nov. 2 was referred to as a one-day general strike. Now there is talk in various Occupy sites around the United … Continue reading Lessons of the Seattle General Strike of 1919 →

UNAC conference challenges U.S./NATO war policies

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]-->On April 1 The New York Times reported that the U.S. and the Gulf states, meeting as the “Friends of Syria” in Istanbul, had moved dramatically closer to direct military intervention against the Assad regime. The pro-U.S. Arab nations pledged $100 million to pay the fighters of the Free Syrian Army, and the … Continue reading UNAC conference challenges U.S./NATO war policies →

We’ll demand our right to protest within sight of the NATO Summit

Below are introductory remarks to the March 23-25 UNAC conference by UNAC co-cordinator Marilyn Levin.When I started preparing for this talk, I thought back to July 2010, when UNAC began, and where we are today. It is astounding how much has changed over the past year and a half, although many of the challenges we face … Continue reading We’ll demand our right to protest within sight of the NATO Summit →

UNAC Action Plan — No to U.S./NATO wars! Civil liberties for all!

Below are remarks on the United National Antiwar Coalition's draft Action Plan, presented by Glen Ford, executive editor of Black Agenda Report.Power to the people! Power to the 99% of the world! I thank UNAC for the honor of presenting the conference Action Plan. We have gathered at this convention to do two things. First, … Continue reading UNAC Action Plan — No to U.S./NATO wars! Civil liberties for all! →

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster – One Year Later

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> On March 11 last year, Honshu Island of Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake at a subduction zone, followed by a horrendous tsunami that knocked out the emergency diesel generators and cooling pumps at the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear power station. The natural disaster resulted in a triple meltdown, two hydrogen … Continue reading The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster – One Year Later →

Broad coalition responds to NYPD spying

NEW YORK—After months of revelations by the Associated Press of spying by the New York Police Department (NYPD) on the Muslim community here and throughout the Northeast, the AP recently exposed surveillance by the N.Y. cops on racial justice, antiwar, labor, anti-repression and other movements as far afield as New Orleans.The revelations have broadened a … Continue reading Broad coalition responds to NYPD spying →

Protests, hunger strikes in Palestine and Bahrain

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> Every year on March 30, Palestinians and supporters rally to commemorate Land Day, the anniversary of the 1976 rallies inside the 1948 borders of Palestine in which the Zionist authorities gunned down six protesters fighting to save their land from ethnic cleansing. This year the demonstrations were coupled with a “Global March … Continue reading Protests, hunger strikes in Palestine and Bahrain →

Kevin Cooper: A ‘Scapegoat’ on Death Row

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]-->Investigative journalist Patrick O’Connor has written a new book, “Scapegoat: The Chino Hills Murders and the Framing of Kevin Cooper.” Below is the talk that O’Connor gave on a recent Northern California speaking tour.“Scapegoat” is a book about a horrific murder case, painfully recounted. It is also about how justice can go astray. … Continue reading Kevin Cooper: A ‘Scapegoat’ on Death Row →

Shakespeare on war & rebellion

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> “Coriolanus,” directed by Ralph Fiennes, from William Shakespeare’s play, screenplay by John Logan. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave, and Gerard Butler. Ralph Fienne’s “Coriolanus,” often billed as Shakespeare’s political tragedy, is set in contemporary times.  Though Shakespeare wrote the play over 400 years ago, its themes of military and state power, familial … Continue reading Shakespeare on war & rebellion →

Whither Mulcair and the NDP?

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> Some are already calling it the New Liberal Democratic Party.  That’s clearly premature. The New Democratic Party of Canada remains a working-class, labour-based, mass electoral party. One glance at the 4000-plus delegates at its March 23-24 convention in Toronto confirmed it. The insignia of labour unions, progressive causes, and social justice movements … Continue reading Whither Mulcair and the NDP? →

Wisconsin recall effort sparks labor movement debate

<!--[if !mso]> <![endif]--> MADISON, Wis.—The law stripping public workers of collective bargaining rights, which spurred hundreds of thousands to take to the streets and occupy the State Capitol building last spring in what became known as the Wisconsin Uprising, was partially struck down by a federal judge on March 30.The judge’s ruling held that it … Continue reading Wisconsin recall effort sparks labor movement debate →

A Few Words of Appreciation for Hunter S Thompson

by Joe Auciello /  April 2005 issue of Socialist Action   Journalist Hunter S. Thompson, author of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail,” committed suicide on Feb. 20 at his home in Aspen, Colorado.   Whether intended or not, Thompson chose a fate similar to a writer … Continue reading A Few Words of Appreciation for Hunter S Thompson →