Rev Pinkney House Arrest Appeal Denied

The Michigan Supreme Court has denied a hearing on the house arrest appeal of Benton Harbor preacher and activist, Rev. Edward Pinkney. This legal set back for our comrade (who was released on bond on Christmas eve 2008) comes soon after he was denied the opportunity to attend his Michigan Court of Appeals hearing on June 9, 2009. Rev Pinkney is appealing his prison sentence for quoting the Bible against a judge. The ACLU is representing Rev. Pinkney and his first amendment right.

The Rev. Louis Farrakan was one of several people who spoke on behalf of Rev. Pinkney at the Grand Rapids Court of Appeals hearing. This case has drawn the attention of many who are concerned about the political crackdown on "truth speakers" in Benton Harbor, Michigan--a mostly poor, African American town controlled by stakeholders backed by Whirlpool intent on turning the town into a golf resort destination.

For more information about Rev. Pinkney, BANCO (the grassroots group he represents), and Benton Harbor, go to the BANCO website.

Image courtesy of the Michigan Citizen.

National Conference to Abolish Poverty

You are invited to:

The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)
and the Social Welfare Action Alliance (SWAA) Announce:

Building the Unsettling Force:
A National Conference to Abolish Poverty

Friday July 17, 2009 -- Sunday, July 19, 2009
Spalding University -- Louisville, Kentucky

"There are millions of poor people in this country who have very little, or even nothing to lose. If they can be helped to take action together, they will do so with a freedom and a power that will be a new and UNSETTLING FORCE in our complacent national life." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from "Why We Can't Wait," 1963

Join poor and homeless families, social workers, residents of homeless encampments, families fighting foreclosure, Katrina victims, unemployed workers, people without health care, members of the religious community, artists, representatives of the labor movement, and friends from the International Community as we come together to confront the economic crisis and to build "Another World" based in Economic Human Rights for all.

Abolish poverty in these times of increasing homelessness, hunger, and unemployment? We say "yes" and turn to the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr., who envisioned a movement led by an organized "unsettling force" built across racial lines that would spark a "revolution of values" to reorganize our society.

As we confront the life and death struggles in our communities, the daily Katrinas of hunger, homelessness, massive downsizing, the denial of the rights to health care, heat and water, and the destruction of our families simply because we are poor, we will come together to envision, strategize and organize for “Another United States” and “Another World.”

Join us! See www.economichumanrights.org for more information.

Organized by the Social Welfare Action Alliance (SWAA) and the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization is a member of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign.

Workers, youth open fightback at Tent City

Excerpt reposted from Workers World

By Kris Hamel
Tent City, Detroit

June 16—Hundreds of poor and working people have gathered at the National People’s Summit and Tent City in downtown Detroit to put forward the people’s vision of a future with guaranteed jobs and income, universal health care, housing and utilities, and all rights that working class people are currently denied under the capitalist system.

More than 330 people registered for the four-day event. They have come from throughout metro Detroit and Michigan—even workers from the Upper Peninsula are at Tent City. Workers and activists from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and more are represented.

The People’s Summit and Tent City, based in Grand Circus Park from June 14-17, was called in response to the National Summit of big-business CEOs and executives being held at the General Motors Renaissance Center—GM’s world headquarters.

“They’re going to regret the closing of 14 plants and the laying off of General Motors workers, because the workers are fighting back!” said Frank Hammer, a retired United Auto Workers International representative and leader of the Autoworker Caravan, as he opened the rally after a militant demonstration outside the big-business summit today.
American Axle workers.

More than 500 workers, including many from around Michigan and Ohio, marched in front of the GM Renaissance Center demanding jobs and human needs, not corporate greed. “The workers have spoken—keep the plants open!” was one of many chants that thundered from East Jefferson Avenue as dozens of cops and private thugs stood in formation guarding the privately owned Ren Cen.

As the workers marched and rallied for jobs, Richard Dauch, CEO of American Axle and Manufacturing, Inc., addressed the capitalists inside, along with former Michigan Gov. John Engler.

Read the rest of this story at Workers World. Image courtesy of Workers World. Tent City marchers photo by LeiLani Dowell.

An Open Letter from MWRO Member, Ann Grimmett:

Greetings All!

I'm here in Detroit, the site of the 2nd United States Social Forum, and we'd like to extend an invitation to everyone that's interested, to attend this historic, cultural, and enlightening venue!

The unique properties that helped to get Detroit chosen for the site of the 2010 USSF include, (1) Our diversity, we are touted as the "Blackest" city in the US, our Mexican town is and has been a thriving community for decades, and we also boast the largest Arab American population outside of the Middle East! (2) We are on prime "Waterfront" and on an "International Border"! (3) Our Cultural Community is second to none! (4) We are the home of "Belle Isle," a unique "island" from where you can actually see the Canadian shore! We are also "The Melting Pot of America"!

We are "The Motor City" and the name "Motown" is synonymous with music at its best! The motto of Detroit is Speramus Meliora Resurget Cineribus which translates to "We hope for better things, it shall rise from the ashes!" which has been Detroit's motto since the 1800's!

I know I'll see you all, as you join us to build this movement of movements! The USSF will be in Detroit from June 22-26, 2010.

(Image courtesy of US Social Forum)

We knew it was only a matter of time before new Mayor Dave Bing would start making his recommendations to privatize more parts of Detroit! Today, the point guard Mayor announced he wants to privatize the Detroit Public Lighting Department.

The Detroit Public Lighting Department--like most Detroit city government units--has an Interim Director and a history of poor service and budget problems. Public Lighting is responsible for street lights, traffic signals, and major facilities around the city including:

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

City Airport

Detroit Public Libraries

Hart Plaza

Cobo Center

Joe Louis Arena

Wayne State University

Detroit Public Schools

Detroit Police and Fire Stations

McNamara Federal Building

Detroit Receiving Hospital

As reported in the Detroit Free Press, in an interview with Tavis Smiley on PBS, Mayor Bing rationalized his decision:

There are some things that here, in this city, that we ought not be doing as part of government. For example, we have a lighting department that, you know, we are not in that business. There are things that we do in city government that were necessary when you had the funding to do it, that we no longer have the revenue to do it anymore. And in some cases, it can be done cheaper and better on the outside.

Of course, our comrades at AFSCME 207--Detroit water and electrical workers union--are opposed to this and so are we! Just as we've seen in the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, outsourcing and privatizing these jobs does NOT save money and does NOT improve service! Laying off more city workers who know the city and bringing in outside contractors is not the solution. Ineffective directors and managers in these municipal departments have "created a perceived crisis," aptly described in the Michigan Ctizen by Call 'em' Out's Agnes Hitchcock due to their gross mismanagement!

There's talk about DTE taking over Detroit Public Lighting. If that happens, we can't wait to see which street lights will get shut off when the city forgets to pay its light bill. We're guessing it won't be those around the Manoogian Mansion or near Basketball Bing's highrise, riverfront apartment! Stay tuned....

(Image courtesy of Michigan Citizen)

Put your dukes up Detroit! It's time to Fight!

An Open Letter from MWRO member, Ann Grimmett

I demand to know how Cocky Cockerel has been restored to the title of "President of City Council" after he LOST the run for the mayors seat! In fact, when Sharon McPhail did EXACTLY the same thing, she not only lost her run, she lost her seat and she was JUST a council member!

Also, why the HELL is Dave Bing in Mackinaw making a deal for COBO, when we made it clear BEFORE he slithered into the mayors office that "WE THE PEOPLE" do NOT want ANY deals that would pry COBO from our control!! Come on people isn't it time YET???

What do the "Powers We Let Be" have to do to us to make it clear that they think we're a joke? They've taken "Eastern Market," "the DETROIT Zoo," the Bridge to Canada," the "Tunnel to Canada," "the International Waterfront," and "DPS" along with our will to resist! Yet, we insist upon concentrating on what THEY decide should be our focus!

Why my people, do we consistently continue to "accept others opinions over our own"? It's as though we have some illness the cure (which eludes us), is seemingly just outside of our understanding and acceptance! It's time to embrace the fury we possess and channel that into a force that MUST be reckoned with!

Put your dukes up Detroit it's time to FIGHT 'til WE WIN again and again and AGAIN!!

(Image courtesy of Michigan Citizen)

Starved for a Brighter Future

Reposted from comrades at the Welfare Rights Initiative at Hunter College-CUNY

Krsytle Cruz, the mother of a bright 4 year old girl, recently graduated from the Hunter College Nursing program. She received welfare while she earned her degree. The welfare agency in New York City told her she had to complete 35 hours of workfare each week. For four year college, New York welfare law only counts work-study and internships—not academic classes.

This doesn’t make any sense. Almost 90% of women receiving welfare who graduate college are lifted out of poverty. The ripple effect on kids attaining higher education is well-documented, too. Fortunately, Assemblyman Keith Wright has introduced a bill that would bring New York state welfare policy in line with federal policy and recognize the indisputable connection between educational opportunity and economic opportunity.

Through the Welfare Right Initiative at Hunter College, Krystle was able to complete 35 hours of internships and work-study each week while raising a family, attending classes and studying. It was a struggle that not all students can tackle. She was able to stay in school in part because of considerable advocacy on her own behalf. On average, Krystle was called into the welfare office twice a month and sent notices that she and her little girl would be cut off from food stamps or Medicaid. Even though she fully documented all her activity, she was still told that her hard work to acquire a college degree—work that gives her and her daughter opportunities for a better life—didn’t count.

When I last spoke to Krystle, she said: "In my own experience with women receiving public assistance, I have observed how their strong desire to go to school is crushed by caseworkers telling them that they cannot. Instead, women are sent to dead-end workfare assignments. The family remains starved for money, and starved for a brighter future."

A recent New York Times article reported that low-wage workers who move from welfare to employment often fail to advance because they need advanced skills and higher education. But Krystle was able to realize her dream and break out of this cycle. Her caretaking of sick family members led her to pursue nursing. Her family's pride in her accomplishment is shared by her college president, fellow students, and others who today receive public assistance. Better welfare policy would create more stories like hers.

(Image courtesy of Welfare Rights Initiative)

Freedom of the Press My Sweet A**!

An Open Letter from Ann Grimmett, MWRO Member:

On June 1, 2009, I was in the Detroit courtroom of Judge Michael Hathaway in the "Frank Murphy Hall of INJUSTICE" as our beloved freedom fighter Diane Bukowski was being sentenced, insulted, lied on and generally disrespected!

I would like to think that the presence of nearly 50 people, (there ONLY to support Diane in her fight) were instrumental in convincing the "unjust judge" (much like the one referred to in Luke 18 "Parable of the Persistent Widow") to be more "just" (if you will) in his sentencing of our good sister Diane. As it turned out, Diane was given probation and slapped with several (again) "unjust" fines most likely in an attempt to "starve her out!

So much of Diane's case is very similar to the "persecution of our beloved BANCO brother Reverend Edward Pinkney, in that ALL who "concern themselves and fight for" the poor and disenfranchised are becoming TARGETS for those that are in a position of "Perceived Power."

Truth be told, if those whom these "Freedom Fighters" have defended and are defending don't stand up IN A BIG WAY for our "Freedom Fighters" we will ALL go down the tubes!! Diane is going to appeal and WE will be there to support her, to the very END!

For more information on this case, go to Free Diane Bukowski and read the open letter from Professor Charles Simmons.

Free image from Clipart Graphics