Call to Action- The Goverment is selling us out- To Monsanto

We all know times are hard. We eat what we can when we can. Most folks don't question what they eat, especially poor folks, like me. The family needs food. We shop at the cheapest stores. Buy what we must to survive. Meanwhile, our government conspires with big business for a profit at our ex pence. Our government officials protect the interest of Monsanto over the interest of our most vulnerable citizens. Daily, we are fed foods that have been altered by GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) and most folks have no way of determining what foods have been altered or not. The government has refused to support labeling of GMO's on our food products. There has even been an amendment to a bill introduced this year in the 2013 Farm Bill protecting Monsanto from being forced to comply with labeling.
On Saturday May 25th, about 100 supporters gathered in the Mason Square area of Springfield MA, Michaelann Bewsee of Arise for Social Justice, helped with a great organizing effort that brought folks out in the rain and cold to push back against Monsanto. This action was in solidarity of 250 other marches that happened the same day in the USA, and millions more across the globe. 

 Learn more and Join the Facebook page at:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheMarchAgainstMonsantoSpringfieldMA/

 People need to know: GMO's have not been proven safe, and in fact, a growing body of independent peer-review studies have linked these foods to allergies, immune problems, infertility and cancers.
Most folks have no idea! GMO's were quietly introduced into our food supply in the 90's, and the FDA requires no safety testing or labeling.
What is truly outrageous is the connection between the largest company in the world that creates these GMO's and our elected officials. Watch this very informed video, where Heath Bleau gives shocking facts, definitively linking some of our top government officials to the interest of Monsanto. Even the President of the United States. This is very disturbing.
 What can we do?

Declare your Right to Know!

Support Mandatory Labeling of

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)

Public Hearings June 3rd and June 11th 2013

Let Them Know

 

June 3rd 2013

10:00am - 2:00pm

David Prouty High School

302 Main Street Spencer MA

 

June 11th 2013

10:00am

Massachusetts State House

Room A-1

Boston MA

 

Hearings are open to the public.

Sign up or submit your testimony online at

marighttoknow.org

 

If you are worried------You should be!

Take Action -- Wake Up



May Day Poem (Thanks, Jon and Lynn!)

To be of use

by Marge Piercy

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

'No More Hurting People' Vigil- Monday April 22- Noon- Court Square Spfld MA

Please join us at noon on Monday April 22 2013, in downtown Springfield. Court Square, as we honor the victims of violence injured and killed in the Boston Marathon Bombing this past week. We remember the kind words of 8 year old Martin Richard, who died in the blast,  'No More Hurting People'. Come stand with us as we call for an end to violence in Springfield. As we recognize all victims of violence and call for peace in our state and in our country. Guest speakers are welcome. The general public is welcome. Please contact Arise for further information.
We will stand with you on Monday, as you stand with us. Together we do make a difference.

Don't forget Michael Ververis - Victim of Police Brutality

Hello everyone,

I am writing today to remind you all of the next trial coming up on a case that we have been working on.  This is the case of Michael Ververis, which is set to begin on Monday April 22nd at the Springfield Court, 50 State Street.  We will gather at 8:30am and go into the court in solidarity with Michael and his family.  We need you all to come and stand out with us and, together, witness this trial that will reveal more police misconduct and brutality in Springfield.

Background: On January 9, 2011, Michael Ververis was assaulted by members of the Springfield Police Department while simply trying to make his way home from a night out in Springfield's entertainment district.  Michael did not do anything to prompt the officers’ rage.  He was merely sitting in the front passenger seat of a car that the police had determined was blocking traffic on Worthington St.  What quickly ensued thereafter was Michael becoming victimized by the police as he was pulled from the vehicle, dragged nearby and ended up terribly beaten by six police officers.  He emerged with both misdemeanor and felony charges, including assault and battery of a police officer and attempt to commit larceny of an officers firearm. 

It is our belief that these charges were fabricated, and evidence tampered with in an attempt to cover up police violence and corruption.  Video footage (available at www.justiceformichael.org) and witness testimony clearly show that Michael is not a criminal, but rather yet another victim of police brutality.

Remember, we are building more and more community strength and power as we are so strong together.  We have experienced victories against the Prison Industrial Complex in a number of cases now, and we cannot let this one pass us by.  This incident with the Springfield Police and Michael Ververis is another very troubling and disturbing one.  

So, mark your calendars now for the week of April 22nd to your show of support for Michael and to hold the Springfield police accountable.  

For peace and justice,

Holly Richardson

Meeting: The Future of Mt. Tom Coal Plant

Vigil for justice for LGBT people this Monday!

On March 26^th  and 27^th , the U.S. Supreme Court will consider two cases that are fundamentally about whether same-sex couples, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans should have the same freedoms as everyone else.  The Supreme Court will make rulings on whether or not it is constitutional for the federal government to deny a minority of U.S. citizens’ rights and privileges with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and whether or not a majority of Californians can vote to take rights away from a targeted minority with Proposition 8 (which overturned the CA marriage equality law).  The two cases being heard have implications that reach beyond marriage equality, as the court will consider whether these laws violate the LGBT community's U.S. Constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.

As members of Springfield’s Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition, we are not only seeking justice in the Supreme Court to relieve collective denial of rights to LGBT people, but also seeking justice in that very Springfield federal court house from persecution and the crimes against humanity committed in Uganda and worldwide by Springfield’s Scott Lively.  Here in the United States, housing and employment protections for LGBT people are just two of the rights Scott Lively actively campaigns against.  Internationally, he actively campaigns against all equal rights for LGBT people, including the basic freedoms of speech and assembly which Americans presume guaranteed.

The U.S. Constitution says “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  President Obama said in his inaugural speech in January “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”   The LGBT community is not only seeking its chance to pursue happiness, but also full federal equality and justice.

On Monday March 25^th, starting at 6pm on the steps of the federal court house at 300 State Street in Springfield, the Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition of Springfield will hold a candlelight vigil, standout and speakers.  Our gathering will be one of over 100 in a nationwide event being coordinated by the Light the Way to Justice Coalition (http://lighttojustice.org).  Please JOIN us as we come together to fight for equality everywhere!

Cathy Kristofferson

GetEQUAL Massachusetts

Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition Springfield

Activist ejected from House Hearing 5 Detained

Dump DeMarco’ housing activists ejected from House hearing

By Arturo Garcia
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 15:13 EDT

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Topics: Ed DeMarco ♦ Federal Housing Finance Agency ♦ jeb hensarling

 

Housing activists staged a demonstration during a meeting of the House Committee on Housing Finance on Tuesday, disrupting testimony by Ed DeMarco, acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
According to C-SPAN, the protesters were members of several advocacy groups, including City Life/Vida Urbana, New Bottom Line, NEW ROAD, and Right to the City. At first, demonstrators stood up one at a time while DeMarco was testifying before the committee before being ordered out by chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).
After the second protester is ejected, one person can be heard saying, “I thought Barney Frank had retired,” a reference to the former Massachusetts congressman, who has accused the housing industry of fostering a climate that led to the country’s mortgage crisis.

www.homesforall.org

Shortly after the second ejection, a third person holds up a sign saying, “Dump DeMarco,” leading Hensarling to ask Capitol police to escort a group of about 12 demonstrators out of the hearing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re not gonna allow you to disturb this hearing as part of the people’s House,” he said as the demonstrators were led out.
Last year, protesters gathered outside DeMarco’s home in Silver Spring, Maryland criticizing his performance.
Watch video of DeMarco’s testimony being derailed by protesters, posted on Tuesday, below

We need Immigration Reform Now!

HOMES FOR ALL- Launch Wed March 13, 2013

Springfield plans tour to focus on housing crisis

By The Associated PressThe Associated Press
on March 11, 2013 at 7:22 AM

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                                                                        Visit the Right to the City National

www.homesforall.org 413-734-4948

Call Arise for details on where when

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A coalition of housing advocates in Springfield will host a city-wide tour to call attention to the housing crisis in the city.
The tour is part of a national campaign to be launched Wednesday in at least a dozen cities around the country. The campaign, called "Homes For All: Defend, Reclaim, Rebuild Our Communities," seeks to focus attention on the housing crisis.
Springfield-area residents who have been directly affected by evictions, homelessness, public housing destruction and foreclosure will lead elected officials and community leaders on the tour. Stops will include vacant, foreclosed property, city neighborhoods that have been hard hit by foreclosures, a homeless shelter and tenant-owned cooperative housing.
The campaign will call on the federal government to invest new resources to created affordable, accessible and safe homes.

www.homesforall.org

HOMES FOR ALL March 13, 2013 Launch

Ruben Santiago Vice President Arise for Social Justice
URGENT!
On March 13th, 2013 Arise for Social Justice and Springfield No One Leaves, working as the Springfield Right to the City Alliance will  be launching a New National Campaign. Homes For All, Defending, Reclaiming and Rebuilding our Communities. www.homesforall.org
 Springfield Massachusetts along with nine other cities across the United States will be holding various actions to bring attention to the crisis that has been paralyzing our country for far to long. HOUSING!  We will attempt to show our elected officials and concerned residents the reality of what our city has become and some ideas of what can be done about it.
If you are concerned about Homelessness, racial disparities, displaced families, shelter regulations, unfit living conditions, gentrification and Foreclosures come and join us on March 13th. Your voice is important. We can make a difference.
 You will be standing with thousands of other concerned folks across the country.
 We will get the attention of The White House, H.U.D, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, our City and our State. Letting them know that People need stable Homes that they can afford. Letting them know that our neighborhoods are disappearing. The fabric of our families and our diverse cultures are in jeopardy by the fracturing of our communities.
With all of the bickering in Washington over budget cuts and tax increases, we cannot let the urgent cry for housing get diluted and lost in the D.C. Shuffle.
We need you!
Join us.
Details of the day's schedule and locations will be released within the coming week.
For more information on the national actions visit www.homesforall.org
Please feel free to call Arise to volunteer to help with arrangements for March 13th.
The Homes For All campaign, can change the way we address Housing in Springfield. In Massachusetts. In The United States of America, for generations to come.
URGENT!
GET INVOLVED.

The Launch of our Homes For All campaign

John Morris shared Right To The City Alliance's photo.

Vrooooom- On March 13th we have ten actions planned in ten cities!!! Details coming along with the urban revolution!

How Not To Be An Activist

A friend sent me a link to this blog, I liked the title so I went on to read it. When I'm at work and trying to read, I usually end up talking at the same time but to day I just read and then read it again. It makes perfect sense to me.

I frequently get asked why I do this kind of work and most often I'm at a lost for words to explain but this does it. You can read the rest of the blog at Just a Rez Chick...How not to be an activist.

 

 

How Not To Be An Activist

I never thought of myself as an activist. The first time someone called me an activist, was an internationally well known activist in a message to me on Facebook. She told me to keep up the good work and always stand up for what I believe in. That the life of an activist wasn’t easy. But to keep doing what I do.
“Wow” was what came to mind. “Really? Me? An activist?” I was shocked and honored. I’m a writer who feels very passionately about what I write for. I’m not on the front lines, yet. Legally, I can’t afford to be out there-yet. I have always cared about the wrongs of the world, talking in extent to both my parents about it all the time. I sit home and write about what all the wonderfully courageous people who have crossed paths with me by caring about the same things I care about are doing to make the world a better place. I respect that they care enough about the drinking water of grandchildren they will never meet. Or that they care about the future generations of our little brown Native children and their rights, without even knowing how this world will be at the time. Whether it will be better or worse, but hoping in their hearts, what they do here and now will make it better. Or they care about all the lives lost to alcohol two miles away from the reservation. That they care about a piece of land so sacred and important to The Creation Story of our people that it is considered The Heart Of All That Is, that they would help spread the word via social media. And all the Indigenous people who live in colonized governments who are sending support to the First Nations of Canada by saying enough is enough Idle No More as a globalized, unified movement with a heartbeat so strong, you can hear it like a drum beat in your soul. Like the game Jumanji is buried nearby.

Stories we dont hear, from people we all know.

Fired from @WholeFoods because they needed time off for surgery. #ows #S17 #election2012

There are hundreds of stories like this one and worse. The stories of folks like us, who are directly affected by injustice. Our concern is where do they go? Where do they live? Who will help them?
And most important----What can we do?
Get involved- We need your voice.
Peace...

NOT A GREAT WAY TO START THE 2013 NEW YEAR FOR STUDENTS & TEACHERS AT THE SAWYER CAREER INSTITUTE!

Denise Maldonado, my Lady, currently resides in Hartford, CT, and on the 3rd of January she received a letter in the mail with disappointing news from Sawyer Career Institute. The letter stated that the school informing her that Sawyer will be closed permanently.  

Not only the Students received the bad news, also the Teachers did not get a notice before the Holiday vacation. 

Miss Maldonado was majoring in Medical Terminology, and she was really looking forward to her bright future. It's pretty overt that Denise's 2013  New Year is not going well for her. By this sad news, it does not phase her at all. She has her chin up high, moving forward with motivation, dedication, and to find a new home  to continue her education.

Here is more information below on how the Sawyer Career Institute closed down.

Students and teachers gathered outside the Sawyer School in Hartford on Wednesday morning, angry over the school’s sudden closure during holiday break.

Students and teachers are frustrated with the lack of answers coming from Academic Enterprises, Inc., the Rhode Island company that runs the Sawyer Schools in both Hartford and Hamden, as well as the Butler Business School in Bridgeport, all of which have shut their doors, kicking a total of 1,200 students out of class. 

“I was ready to graduate and then they closed the school,” complained Charlene Brimage, who was trying to get her degree in business.

“I was three classes away from going out on externship and graduating in April,” Arelis Quinones said.

“Our schedules were already out.  We were already scheduled for classes,” Don Lanier, an instructor, said.

Some students received a letter telling them class was out permanently, while others heard through social media.

The instructors, including Lanier, received a call from their supervisor over the holidays reporting that classes would not resume this week as scheduled.

“We have no answers about anything,” Lanier said.

The Office of Higher Education addressed the abrupt closing in a statement saying they “received a brief email on December 30, 2012 from Academic Enterprises Inc., stating that the schools have 'suspended' operations.'"

The statement also urges students impacted by the closure to contact the Office of Higher Education for assistance.

"We encourage all impacted students to register with our office so that we may learn of their status and help answer their questions about finishing their coursework and obtaining potential tuition reimbursements,” said Jane A. Ciarlegio, executive director of the Office of Higher Education.

Connecticut General Statutes prescribe procedures for schools to follow in the event of closing.  Schools are required to notify the Office of Higher Education at least 60 days before closing.  The notification gives agency officials time to work with school representatives to assure an orderly transition and cessation of business.  Both Sawyer Schools and the Butler Business School allegedly violated this requirement.

How the schools will be punished, if at all, following the state’s investigation, remains to be seen.

By Todd Piro

|  Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013  |  Updated 12:38 PM EST

Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go!

On Monday January 7th 2013 in Federal Court Springfield, opening oral arguments will be heard for the motion to dismiss the case of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. Scott Lively.  This is not the defendant’s first attempt at dismissal.  

Lively is of course claiming his First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech and Religion. This historic case against Lively is for crimes against humanity, for persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  It is a first case of its kind anywhere in the world and it is happening here in Massachusetts now that Scott Lively and his Abiding Truth Ministries – Southern Poverty Law Center designated hate group – reside here in the Commonwealth.

For many years Scott Lively has travelled not just our country but the entire world spewing his own special form of hate and persecution imparting his own unique ‘knowledge’ of the ‘Gay Agenda’.  He claims he “knows more than almost anyone else in the world” about homosexuality.

In 2009, he brought his theory and his purposeful anti-LGBTI agenda to a Uganda workshop and a month or so later the Ugandan Parliament suddenly saw the introduction of what is now known as the ‘Kill the Gays Bill’, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, with harsh penalties that currently includes the death penalty. 

Scott Lively bragged that he had created a "nuclear bomb against the gay agenda in Uganda."  Oh, and don’t believe the rumors from the BBC or the AP or even Lively’s latest missive about the death penalty being removed as the bill cannot actually be modified until it is officially debated in the Ugandan Parliament.

Why should we care about what is happening in Uganda thanks to American Evangelicals?  Because if you’ve listened to the crowing of Lively, Perkins, Fischer, and others of that ilk following the bill’s reappearance on the Ugandan Parliament’s agenda in November you’ll have heard that it is exactly what they envision for the US too!

Not as likely to happen here as it seems in Uganda where it enjoys a 96% favorability rating thanks to the decades of lies spread throughout the African continent about how the American and European gays are coming for their children to recruit them into homosexuality, and how pray-away-the-gay really works, no really, and a whole host of other ridiculous unfounded claims easy to dispel if you have access to facts.

Here in the US, Scott Lively recently traveled to Springfield Missouri to lend his hand to derail that city’s proposed sexual orientation nondiscrimination ordinance, which he called a “Gay Fascism Bill” for which he now brags that he should be called in whenever a ‘Trojan Horse for the Gay Agenda’ like that crops up because surely he is the only one who can extinguish them as he claims to have done there.

So our LGBT brothers and sisters in Missouri will continue to be fired, evicted, and denied their civil rights thanks to our Commonwealth’s resident. 

Keeping in mind the more they succeed, the more emboldened they become everywhere. Here in the Commonwealth, we remember how public accommodations were removed from the Trans Civil Rights Bill.  Are you good with all that?  Are you okay with death and life imprisonment penalties for gays and their allies?  If not, please consider attending the court hearing to show support that this demonization of the gay and trans communities must stop everywhere.

What: Oral argument on Defendant's Motion to Dismiss in SMUG v. Lively

Where: Hampden Courtroom, Federal Courthouse, 300 State St., Springfield, MA

When: Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

Cathy Kristofferson

GetEQUAL/MA and Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition Springfield

ARISE IS PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE “STOP HATE AND HOMOPHOBIA COALITION.”