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Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for December, 2010

Dr. King’s Legacy Of Environmental And Social Justice 2011

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Human Rights, Peace | No Comments

— Josue Irizarry, Events Coordinator, Peabody Museum

The Yale Peabody Museum will open its doors for a FREE, two-day festival in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts to ensure environmental and social justice among all people. The Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, will host its 15th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, 2011.

In his tireless efforts to work toward equality for, and harmony between, all people, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. strove to raise awareness about public health concerns and urban environmental issues that disproportionately affect minority and low-income communities. We now refer to this as environmental justice, a term coined long after Dr. King’s death. In recognition of the progress that has been achieved in these areas, and with optimism for the future, we will celebrate with music, dance, children’s storytelling, teen diversity workshops, a community open mic and our annual poetry slams.

From 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, teens from the Yale Peabody Museum’s EVOLUTIONS After School Program will host “Stop the Violence: Teens Standing Up For Change.” This interactive session, focused around a message of non-violence and intended for all high school students in the greater New Haven area, will include exciting performances, dynamic presentations, and teen-run workshops. All students who participate for the full event are invited to an after party from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., where there will be free food, music and dancing. Come be a part of something great!

An important component of this celebration is our Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Community Open Mic and Poetry Slam on Monday,

Jan. 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Community Open Mic is an exciting aspect of our festival that gives people a unique opportunity to honor the spoken word legacy of Dr. King by sharing original poetry and rap or speaking their mind about issues of environmental and social justice our society faces today. The Poetry Slam includes well-known poets from around the United States.

Every poet who registers for the Community Open Mic by Friday, Jan. 7, will have at least three minutes at the mic to speak his or her truth, will receive an MLK Day T-shirt, and will be entered into a drawing for a one-year Yale Peabody Museum membership. Space is limited! To register, contact peabody.events@yale.edu.

For more information on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. festival visit www.peabody.yale.edu/events/mlkday.html.

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International Women’s Organization To Give Award To Anna Aschenbach

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in General | No Comments

— Caroline Bridgman-Rees, WILPF

From 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St., the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will honor Anna Aschenbach, New Haven activist, with the Dr. Alice Hamilton Peace and Justice Award. Dr. Hamilton, 1869-1970, a leading pioneer in occupational health and toxicology, was also deeply involved in supporting peace from World War I until her death.

Anna has dedicated her life to peace and justice. Born in Nanking, China, of American teaching missionaries, she early became aware of the suffering and inequity around her in China and later in the US. She studied class and racial issues at college, joined a pacifist group during World War II, and was determined to follow the philosophy of simple living. For two years she lived in an intentional community. In the late 60s she was employed as a writer in the multiracial Model Cities Participation Unit in New Haven. She has been a long-time member of War Tax Resistance and has joined local, national, and international anti-war and justice rallies. Recently, she was a leader in organizing three important events: the Bus Stop Removal Project, the expose of the rapes, murders, and destruction of many thousands of women’s bodies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the SPEAK OUT on the denial of human rights in the U.S. to immigrant women. Anna has never stopped being a fearless, passionate activist and an opponent of American militarism and imperialism.

As part of the celebration on Jan. 22, Anna will give a talk on “Simple Living” as she herself has experienced it. As Sally Joughin, one of New Haven’s  wise and wonderful peace leaders for many years, often quoted: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”

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In Memoriam … Lillian Dimow, 1916-2010

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Memorial | No Comments

On Nov. 25, 2010, longtime PAR reader and supporter, Lil Dimow, passed on. The PAR Planning Committee extends our condolences to her husband Joe and all their family. Lil was a lifelong activist who was devoted to her family and her community. She was a member of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, volunteered with many peace organizations, edited the newsletter of the West River Senior Center and taught arts and crafts and enamel jewelry in the New Haven public schools, several senior centers and other community programs.

Lil grew up in a world of Jewish immigrants and their first generation children, many of whom had deep ethical principles and a commitment to trying to make the world a better place. She carried those values with her throughout her life. It was important to her to treat every person she met with dignity and respect. On a larger scale, she followed world events and was deeply moved by injustice. She was an activist and had a lifelong commitment to social movements for peace, civil liberties, women’s rights and justice.  — The New Haven Register

Lil will be greatly missed. We are grateful to have been part of her community and thank her for all she accomplished to make the world better.

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Parent Leadership Training Institute

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in General | No Comments

— Merryl Eaton, CCA

Christian Community Action’s Advocacy & Education Project is once again pleased to present Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). PLTI is a free eighteen week class that enables parents and other adults to develop the leadership skills to make real change- in schools, communities and state and local government.

You will explore your passions, strengths, beliefs and ideas. Then, you work to develop interpersonal and public communications skills, as well as your understanding of government, media and civic relations. Your children ages 5-12 are invited to attend our Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI).

The group starts with a retreat on Saturday, January 22nd and will meet on Tuesday nights at St. Raphael’s Hospital beginning on January 25. A family dinner will be served.  

For more information or to arrange for an interview, please contact Merryl at (203) 777-6072 or via e-mail at meaton@ccahelping.org.

The program is made possible by funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and with the assistance of the Connecticut Commission on Children.

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Forum: Jobs First Employment Services

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Workers | No Comments

— Ellen Billard, CABHN Coordinator

The Connecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) and the Welfare Working Group invite you to join us for a discussion with program administrators, program participants, advocates, and legislators on effective strategies for improving the Jobs First Employment Services program.

We will be holding a forum, “Increasing Opportunity: Improving the Jobs First Employment Services Program,” on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. in the 2nd floor Atrium of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Forum will be held in room 2C.

Featured speakers include: 

  • Rep. Chris Donovan, Speaker of the House
  • LaDonna Pavetti, Director of the Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C.
  • Wayne Valaitis, Vice President of Operations, FSW, Inc., Bridgeport
  • Amos Smith, President and CEO, Community Action Agency of New Haven
  • Rev. Bonita Grubbs, Executive Director, Christian Community Action, New Haven
  • Erica Raycob, Waterbury Regional Coordinator, Employing People for Success program
  • Participants in the Jobs First Employment Services Program
  • Rep. Toni Walker, (D) New Haven

RSVP is appreciated. RSVP to esmall@larcc.org. We hope to see you on Jan. 11! (1-11-11)

Venue is wheelchair accessible.

Ellen Small Billard, MSW, CABHN Coordinator

Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut

44 Capitol Ave., Suite 301, Hartford, CT 06106-1764

(860) 278-5688 ext. 208, esmall@larcc.org.

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Over 500 Rally For Universal Health Care With Gov.-Elect Dan Malloy

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Healthcare | No Comments

— Ricardo Henriquez, CT Center for a New Economy

Standing before more than 500 activists and surrounded by religious leaders, Governor-elect Dan Malloy reiterated his support for universal health care. In 2009, the state of Connecticut passed SustiNet, the state’s health care reform law that includes a public option. In the upcoming 2011 session, proponents will work to get the law funded.

At an event organized by the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Healthcare, the Democratic Governor-elect said that he learned the importance of having a healthcare system that covers everyone from his mother’s work and activism. Malloy added that he was optimistic about the chances for reform, but recognized that winning funding will be hard and will require lots of “creative thinking.”

The rally took place on December 14th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford. SustiNet, the state’s universal healthcare law, was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, overriding Republican Governor Jodi Rell’s veto.

The SustiNet Board, created last year to prepare an implementation proposal, will present the legislature with a plan to roll out the reform in the next 5 years. Their plan will include a public option open to municipalities, nonprofits, small businesses and the uninsured.

The religious leaders organizing the rally took the opportunity to present Malloy with meaningful sacred “presents,” in which they said he would find the wisdom, inspiration and strength to support the battle for an affordable and universal healthcare system.

The Connecticut Center for a New Economy (CCNE) which coordinates the efforts of the Interfaith Fellowship, turned out hundreds of people to this event, including a bus full of community, labor and religious leaders from New Haven. On their bus ride, the leaders traded stories from their own experiences in the struggle for universal healthcare.

On their way back to New Haven, community organizer Shirley Lawrence reminded everyone that the governor-elect’s support was not a coincidence: “the politicians were there tonight because we worked hard and Connecticut’s cities had record turnout.”

For more information about the CCNE, please e-mail Ricardo Henriquez at ricardoph@ctneweconomy.org.

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Equality Versus Privilege

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in General | No Comments

— Joseph L. Schofield, Executive Director, CTV

In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the animals that have risen to positions of power in what was a revolution to establish equality soon declare that “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Not unlike today’s Tea Party, a sense of entitlement seems to descend upon those who may have long enjoyed a position of benefit or privilege over their fellow citizens. And although that benefit or privilege was assigned them for reasons that had nothing to do with any merit or attribute of theirs, but was granted because it benefited the purposes of the granting body, the receiver feels that they are now forever entitled to that benefit or privilege.

Each producer of a program at Citizens Television (CTV) is entitled to one hour of “air” time each week. That is because CTV does not have the capacity to give every producer more than that. CTV cannot, by law, look at the content of a program to determine how much air-time it gets. It is called equality.

From time to time, CTV gives a second hour of air-time to a program. This is not based on the program’s content, but done because CTV staff is the production crew and the production values are high. CTV uses that program as a training tool for its production students, and the second hour of air-time allows greater opportunity for students to view the program.

CTV staff, in fairness, moves on to crew other productions and use them for training students. However, sometimes the producer of the previous program believes that it should retain that second hour of air-time. We wish we could make that accommodation. But we cannot, by law,

do so based on the content of the programs. The production crew for that program may usually do a good job, but those programs will not likely meet the standard we require to have our production students observe and learn from them.

Equality versus privilege? CTV chooses equality. Every time.

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Judge Dismisses Lawsuit, Allows DPUC To Levy Tax On UI And CL&P Customers

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Fight the Hike | No Comments

— Paula Panzarella, Fight the Hike

On Dec. 20, Sen.-elect Joe Markley of Southington and Paula Panzarella of Fight the Hike presented arguments before Superior Court Judge Henry Cohn in New Britain to be allowed to contest charges on electric bills that are in effect a new tax. Markley began his lawsuit in October, and named the Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA)/ Economic Recovery Revenue Bonds (ERRB) charge “the sneaky tax,” as most people do not realize that any new taxes have been levied by the 2010 state legislature.

This was the second time Markley and Panzarella were before the judge, ready to argue motions for the tax to be rescinded. The first motion heard was the State’s to have the case dismissed. Judge Cohn decided in the State’s favor. If the case were to have continued, the judge would have then heard the motion to allow Panzarella, representing Fight the Hike, to officially intervene as a plaintiff. At this time Markley is the sole plaintiff. After Jan. 1, he will decide how he will further pursue having this tax removed.

In other Fight the Hike news, energy legislation similar to last year’s will again be presented to the legislature. In 2010, the bill that Fight the Hike worked on was approved by the entire legislature and then vetoed by Gov. Rell.   Fight the Hike will again meet with legislators to get the bill passed. Connecticut still has the highest electric rates in the continental United States. For questions and ideas or to join on to the Fight the Hike e-group list, please call (203) 562-2798 or e-mail paulapanzarella@yahoo.com.

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CT Network To Abolish The Death Penalty

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Death Penalty | No Comments

— Ben Jones, CNADP

 As hard as it is to believe, another year is coming to a close. Looking back, there are many reasons to be optimistic that the death penalty is on its way out in Connecticut. Developments during the past year have put Connecticut closer to repealing the death penalty than ever before in the state’s history.

This past March, an effort in the Judiciary Committee to “fix” the current death penalty went nowhere, as legislators realized that the death penalty is broken beyond repair. Jeffrey Deskovic, who spent 16 years imprisoned for a murder he did not commit, best summarized the mistaken logic behind efforts to reform the death penalty in his testimony before the Judiciary committee: “There is no ‘fixing’ the death penalty other than abolishing it all together, because no matter how many reforms are passed aimed at preventing wrongful convictions, in the end the system is operated by human beings, and human beings make mistakes. The only way to be sure that an innocent person is not executed is to abolish the death penalty.”

The focus of 2010 was not the legislature, however, but building support for repeal at the grassroots level. Throughout the past 12 months, thousands of Connecticut residents at CNADP-sponsored events have heard from those directly impacted by the death penalty how it is failing all of us. In April, author and death row chaplain Dale Recinella shared the pain of witnessing an execution. In May, Randy Steidl traveled across Connecticut, sharing with churches and universities how corruption sent him to death row and kept him wrongfully incarcerated long after evidence emerged pointing to his innocence. Then in CNADP’s busiest month on record, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel, Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights Chair Vicki Schieber, and death row exonerees Kirk Bloodsworth and Juan Melendez all were in Connecticut sharing the harm inflicted by the death penalty and the urgent need to repeal it.

Finally, the elections this fall saw Connecticut select for the first time in decades a Governor who publicly supports repeal of the death penalty. This break puts us in an excellent position to move forward with repeal legislation. We now must capitalize on this rare opportunity.

Our work, building a true grassroots movement, is the key to success. The death penalty will come to an end as you and people across the state continue to stand up and say enough is enough – Connecticut deserves better. Thank you for your support throughout the year.

CNADP, 56 Arbor Street, Suite 213, Hartford, CT 06106. 860-231-1489, www.cnadp.org.

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Mazin Qumsiyeh Detained 10 Hours ….. Released

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Human Rights | No Comments

— from e-mails sent to PAR Planning Committee

Mazin Qumsiyeh, former New Haven activist and faculty member of Duke and Yale universities who is now teaching at Bethlehem University, was arrested with seven others on Dec. 22 for objecting to an expanding settlement in a Palestinian town. The arrest took place in the West Bank, in Al-Walaja, in Beit Sahour near Bethlehem.

Mazin heard that bulldozers were working in a new part of al-Walaja and rushed over to protest. He was recognized by an officer and arrested and held for 10 hours under difficult and humiliating conditions. Though he has been released, please send an email to the Embassy to say:

  1. The settlement is illegal, not the demonstration (in fact there wasn’t a demonstration, just people questioning soldiers);
  2. Drop all charges against Mazin and the others;
  3. Investigate the brutality and humiliations of the arrest; and
  4. Demand the Israelis get out of al-Walaja.

The Embassy e-mail address: JerusalemACS@state.gov

You can also call. The telephone of the U.S. office in Jerusalem for the Territories is 011-972-2-622-7221 or 011-972-2-622-7207. The best time to call is from 1 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

Link to the pictures of arrests http://tinyurl.com/3xjky9j

Updates about Mazin is at http://thestruggle.org/

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Police Brutality Incidents Prompt New Haven March

Dec 1

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Human Rights | No Comments

By Deb Malatesta, CT ANSWER Coalition

Over 80 people marched in New Haven on Oct. 23 to protest police brutality in the community. The march started with a rally at City Hall and proceeded through downtown, ending at the Police Department.

Marchers demanded an immediate end to police brutality, the right to document police behavior without intimidation and a completely independent Citizens’ Review Board representative of the communities in New Haven and able to discipline officers who commit crimes.

The march was called by the October 22nd Coalition after a number of incidents were reported, including an Oct. 2 incident at Elevate, a downtown club, during which the NHPD, some in full SWAT gear, raided a party for Yale students. Students attempting to record the police on their phones were arrested. One student was thrown on the ground and tazed. In a video circulated on YouTube, an officer is seen standing over the student’s body yelling “Anybody else? Who’s next?”

The Elevate incident proved to be the match that lit the powder keg. Due to the privilege afforded Yale by the city, the raid gained front page media attention. Groups, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, My Brother’s Keeper, Unidad Latina en Acción, Cop Watch New Haven, Citizens for Policing Reform and the Yale and New Haven NAACP, came together to use the spotlight on the police to publicize cases of police brutality, harassment and intimidation common in the most oppressed neighborhoods of the city.

As the march proceeded from City Hall, the chant “From the Hill to the Ville to City Hall, police brutality affects us all” (referring to neighborhoods of The Hill and Newhallville) could be heard throughout the downtown area. People waiting for the buses joined the chants and celebrated the march.

On the steps of the police department, rally chair Marco Castillo said, “Today is the beginning of the end for brutality. Today is the beginning of unity.” Victims of police harassment shared their stories during the rally, some for the first time.

Addressing the crowd on the City Hall steps, civil rights attorney Michael Jefferson said, “Get angry. Stay angry. Keep up the fight. Keep your eyes on the prize.”  The Party for Socialism and Liberation stands in solidarity with all victims of police brutality and those who are struggling against oppressive and brutal police force. In New Haven further actions are being planned.

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Peace Council Sponsors Film Showing ‘South Of The Border’

Dec 1

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Events | No Comments

By Nancy Eberg, GNH Peace Council

The documentary “South of the Border” by Oliver Stone will be screened on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at the 2nd floor program room of the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street. Stone traveled across Latin America to interview the leaders of the leftist social and political movements – Raul Castro of Cuba, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, Cristina and Nestor Kirchner of Argentina, Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, and Lula da Silva of Brazil. He was trying to accentuate the idea that the American press has branded all, with the exception of Lula, as “bad leftists.” 

The film examines how the free-market economic policies pushed by the US and the IMF have failed to eliminate income inequality in these countries, and have resulted in the democratic election of these socialist and social-democratic leaders in the region. Refreshments will be provided, followed by a discussion. Sponsored by the Greater New Haven Peace Council. Any questions, contact Henry, (203) 389-9547 or e-mail grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com.

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Voices For Jobs, Equality & Peace

Dec 1

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Human Rights | No Comments

By Joelle Fishman, CT CPUSA

A concert for people’s needs, not corporate greed!  The People’s World Amistad Awards will be presented to John Olsen, president, CT AFL-CIO; Carmen Boudier, president, New England 1199; and Juan Figueroa, president, Universal Health Care Foundation, at “Voices for Jobs, Equality & Peace–A concert for people’s needs, not corporate greed,” on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. at James Hillhouse High School Auditorium, 80 Sherman Parkway, New Haven.

Jazz and Latin music, labor songs and spoken word will be performed by an array of artists including Bill Collins of the Rabble Rousers, Hermanos Son, Jeff Fuller, William Fluker and friends, Baub Bidon, DJ Bell and Ken Brown.

The post-election event is dedicated to expanding grass roots action to achieve good jobs, equal rights and a redirection of funds to meet the needs of local youth and communities. The People’s World is hosting this annual event on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of the Communist Party USA. To make reservations and order tickets at $10 each ($5 students/limited income), contact ct-pww@pobox.com or call 203-624-8664.