Albuquerque, NM - For over a quarter century, SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP) has worked to "empower disenfranchised communities in the southwest United States to realize racial and gender equality and social and economic justice." SWOP is now proud to bring you SWOPblogger - your blog for news and views with a community bias. We ask the question: Who pays and who benefits? Come back often for updates!
500 people gathered today at the National Hispanic Culture Center to Celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez. Walkouts and Marches were planned across the nation to commemorate his work and also push to have a national holiday in his name. In Albuquerque, Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee planned a march followed by a program of speakers that have all been impacted by the work of Cesar Chavez and the farm worker struggle.
SWOP board member Benishi Albert felt honored to speak about the man she met during a visit with Native American communities, Cesar Chavez visited her community in order to build solidarity across Latino and Indigenous peoples. Since then he has inspired her.
Yesenia Garcia, a SWOP youth member and member of the committee gave praise to the opportunities that have now been made available to young people because of people like Cesar Chavez.
He writes, "It is not enough to teach our young people to be successful...so they can realize their ambitions, so they can earn good livings, so they can accumulate the material things that this society bestows. Those are worthwhile goals. But it is not enough to progress as individuals while our friends and neighbors are left behind."
Those present today echo the same message of solidarity and struggle across communities. The representation of different organizations shows that we can UNITE in the name of justice. Present in the event was representation from Labor organizations like NM Central Labor Council, NM Federation of Labor, community organizations like SWOP and SAGE Council, Students, Artists, Danzantes Aztecas, Poets and Musicians. Over 50 organizations donated to the Recuerda Cesar Chavez Committee. Other SWOP members participated in the event including emcee's Commissioner Teresa Cordova and Acequia/Water Rights Worker James Maestas.
We want to thank the committee and the volunteers for making this event come to life and for reminding us que Si Se Puede! Viva La Raza!
Michael Casaus says minorities often hit the streets in protest, but it’s rare that they come together to celebrate their accomplishments. That’s why the chairman of the Recuerda a César Chávez Committee says he wants the public to participate in a César Chávez Day celebration on Saturday.
“It’s time to celebrate the victories we’ve gained through our struggles,” Casaus said. The Recuerda a César Chávez Committee, along with a coalition of more than 50 area organizations — including the New Mexico Federation of Labor, the Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico and the Southwest Organizing Project — are marking César Chávez Day on Saturday by supporting a march and celebration in honor of the late civil rights leader.
The theme of this year’s celebration — “In the Spirit of César Chávez: Unite for Human Rights” — is meant to bring the city’s diverse communities together and educate them about Chávez’s life and nonviolent philosophy, Casaus said.
The celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. with performances by Mariachi San Jose and the Albuquerque Slam Poets at the South Broadway Cultural Center Park, 1025 Broadway SE. The march begins at 11 a.m. at the cultural center park and ends at the National Hispanic Cultural Center at Fourth Street and Avenida César Chávez with a rally and cultural celebration until about 3 p.m.
The celebration will include food, speakers and live entertainment.
The 14th annual event, which marks the anniversary of the birth of Chávez, is expected to draw a crowd of 1,000, event organizers said.
Casaus said participants will not be charged admission to the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
If you go WHAT: César Chávez Day Celebration WHEN: Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: South Broadway Cultural Center Park, 1025 Broadway SE; National Hispanic Cultural Center, 4th Street and Avenida César Chávez. HOW MUCH: Free
"As the site converts to (newer technology), production will go up and efficiency will improve, but we will need a smaller work force," Jami Grindatto, public affairs manager for Intel's Rio Rancho site, told the Journal.
The message from Intel: Eat Chips.
This, following a recent 16B$ Industrial Revenue Bond deal worth tens of millions in tax breaks from the state of New Mexico.
From 3/27/07 ABQ Journal:
...Over the years, Sandoval County has approved $24 billion in tax-abating industrial revenue bonds for Intel, including $16 billion in 2005...
Many of the employees hired in the 1990s for Fab 11 received high school diplomas and some training offered then by the company in conjunction with TVI, now Central New Mexico Community College.
Grindatto agreed.
"You never know how high it's headed, but it's safe to say a two-year degree is going to be a must" for future employment, he said.
So here's the deal. Taxpayers really don't benefit from these deals when economic hit men court the latest fad with corporate welfare incentives. Even more so when the jobs aren't guaranteed. If we had clawbacks in this deal (which SWOP pushed for and the Sandoval County Commision said were not needed because of Intel promises) Intel would have a much harder time laying off New Mexico families, and state and local governments may have some additional tax revenue.
We need big new ideas on the economy of one of the nation's poorest states. These ideas begin with an end to business as usual. No more patron politics. We should invest in our values and our children, not handouts to big, often out-of-state companies that really don't care about pitching in to our education and health care systems. As taxpayers, our investment must be able to stand the test of time and our values - not the latest fad in volatile markets.
Do you all hear that giant sucking sound? That's capital fleeing the state.
Women continue to be fundamental to the movement for revolutionary change. I am deeply saddened by these mothers being tagged as "urban guerrillas" sacrificing their own safety and of their children. They have no choice, but I am hopeful they will create new choices and a better life for everyone. ********************************* Article By John Gibler - Mar 27 2007
Putting their personal lives on hold, women in the Mexican state of Oaxaca helped shut down the government, took over a TV station, and stood up to police violence.
"Everything is the movement," says Patricia Jimenez Alvarado, looking at me across her kitchen table. "You don’t have a personal life anymore." She leans her face into her open palms, and weeps.
Jimenez, in her mid-forties, is a thesis advisor at Oaxaca State University by profession. But the government of Oaxaca accuses her of being an "urban guerrilla." Her house and car have just been broken into and searched. She regularly receives text-message death threats on her cellular phone. A warrant has been issued for her arrest. And for the first time in her children’s lives, she has missed their birthdays—several months ago she sent her children to live with her sister-in-law to keep them safe.
Sitting down with me for this interview is the first moment of calm she’s had since mid-June, Jimenez says. That’s when she and thousands of other women—many of whom had never participated in a march or rally before—orchestrated the takeover of the state television and radio stations and broadcast live their opposition to state violence. Their actions earned these women a place among Oaxaca’s most wanted activists, sought by the para-police gangs that serve the state government.
Intel CEO Nets 6.18 Million While 1 in 6 Employees Laid off In Rio Rancho
If you noticed from yesterday's Journal article, most of those laid off from Rio Rancho plant were probably native New Mexicans...
As a side note - though it was not on the front page of the print edition, the Intel article was the most looked at on the Journal website.
From AP, Printed in SF Chronicle
Intel CEO Otellini gets $6.18M in 2006 compensation
By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP Technology Writer
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
(03-27) 14:51 PDT San Francisco (AP) --
Intel Corp. CEO Paul Otellini received compensation the company valued at $6.18 million in 2006, a year in which the company undertook a massive restructuring to reverse sinking profits but also fired back against its archrival with a strong new product lineup.
Otellini got a 15 percent boost in his salary this year to $700,000, according to a filing Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also received $1.77 million in non-equity incentive plan compensation, and $236,700 in other compensation, including more than $15,000 the company contributed to his retirement plan.
Otellini's award also included $2.64 million in options, and $837,000 in restricted stock. He pocketed more than $2.3 million by exercising options on 192,000 shares of stock.
The Associated Press calculations of total pay include executives' salary, bonus, incentives, perks, above-market returns on deferred compensation and the estimated value of stock options and awards granted during the year. The may vary from totals that companies report.
Otellini and other executives at the Santa Clara-based chipmaker were penalized for the company's financial performance — net income was down 42 percent from the prior year — and for not meeting certain operational goals.
Intel said it cut bonuses for its top officers by about 40 percent as the company fell short of its targets for introducing new products and in boosting worldwide growth. It exceeded its goals in the areas of manufacturing and improving the technology used to build chips.
Intel also scaled back a companywide program rewarding all employees with extra days of pay based on the company's profit margins and customer satisfaction. Employees were each awarded 15.1 extra days of pay in 2006, down from down from 17.8 days the year before.
Intel, the world's largest computer chip maker, said in September that it was eliminating 10,500 jobs — about 10 percent of its global work force — as it faces intense pressure to unload money-losing divisions and halt the encroachment of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. on its lucrative core microprocessor business.
Intel's stock is trading at relatively the same price as last year, but investors have expressed concerns that price cuts and heavy spending on the transition to a new manufacturing technology will continue to eat into gross margins.
And despite losing about 4 percent of the overall processor market to AMD in 2006, Intel seems to have stunted some of that growth — particularly in the high-margin server chip market — with a line of more powerful and energy-efficient chips than previous generations.
However, Otellini's counterpart, AMD CEO Hector Ruiz, was far more richly rewarded for his company's performance in 2006, with compensation valued at nearly triple Otellini's amount.
Ruiz collected compensation the company valued at $16.1 million last year, about $7.2 million of which were restricted stock awards that are contingent on the Sunnyvale-based company's performance through 2008.
AMD's stock has taken a beating over the past year despite the gains at Intel's expense, plunging more than 60 percent and wiping out about $10 billion in shareholder wealth on fears about AMD's spending and ability to maintain those gains.
SHANGHAI, March 26 — The Intel Corporation has already labeled it “Fab 68,” the $2.5 billion chip-manufacturing facility that is set to become the company’s first major production site in Asia.
There are only seven other Intel wafer fabrication facilities like it in the world, mostly in the western United States.
But after negotiating with the Chinese government and also getting United States government approval to produce sophisticated equipment here, Intel said it was simply time to move some production of 300-millimeter wafers to China. “China is our fastest-growing major market, and we believe it’s critical that we invest in markets that will provide for future growth to better serve our customers,” Paul S. Otellini, the president and chief executive of Intel, said in a statement.
Of course, Intel’s facility, which is scheduled to open in 2010, probably will not give away any big secrets: Fab 68 will produce only so-called chip sets, or chips that work to support microprocessors. Intel officials say they will not produce the company’s core technology here, the powerful microprocessing chips.
"It looks as if Intel has found a plant location with even fewer environmental restrictions than New Mexico. And a way to spend some of the $16 billion IRB given them by Sandoval County. Moreover, their new Chinese workers will be paid much less than the 10,000...employees Intel just laid off."
Greetings to all my Comrades, Family, Friends, and Allies,
By now, many of you already know that I have a new home, a new political home that is. On January 2nd, 2007 I started as the Statewide Organizer for the SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP). I am extremely excited to finally be working for an organization that I have been a member of for over 4 years. To be working for an organization that is based in my home town, Alburquerque, New Mexico.
SWOP, an organization that has a long history of fighting for justice in New Mexico is dear to my heart, not only because of it’s mission to empower our communities in the Southwest to realize gender and racial equality and social and economic justice; but also because it has a strong grounding in New Mexico, a place that my family has called home for many generations.
I look forward to working with all of you, both here in New Mexico, but also across the country, and world, to make the new world we all envision a reality. Please note my new contact information below.
Hasta la Victoria Siempre,
Tomás Garduño State-wide Organizer SouthWest Organizing Project 211 10th St. SW Alburquerque, New Mexico 87102 505-247-8832 tomas@swop.net
NY Times says Undercover NYC police spied on ABQ Peace Groups
City Police Spied Broadly Before G.O.P. Convention By JIM DWYER
New York Times March 25, 2007
For at least a year before the 2004 Republican National Convention, teams of undercover New York City police officers traveled to cities across the country, Canada and Europe to conduct covert observations of people who planned to protest at the convention, according to police records and interviews.
From Albuquerque to Montreal, San Francisco to Miami, undercover New York police officers attended meetings of political groups, posing as sympathizers or fellow activists, the records show.
"...Activists are showing a well-organized network made up of anti-Bush sentiment; the mixing of music and political rhetoric indicates sophisticated organizing skills with a specific agenda," said the report, dated Oct. 9, 2003. "Police departments in above listed areas have been contacted regarding this event."
Police records indicate that in addition to sharing information with other police departments, New York undercover officers were active themselves in at least 15 places outside New York - including California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montreal, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C. - and in Europe.
Call for submissions: Artwork for Front Page of Voces Unidas
Voces Unidas is SWOP's own quartely news publication with a circulation of over 12,000 readers.
The next edition of Voces Unidas is due to hit mailboxes in May and we are looking for original cover art to use for the next edition.
Its focus is on "Electoral Politics & Community Power." It will include a piece from a grassroots organization who uses electoral politics while still organizing door-to-door, SWOP's stance on legislation, and our very own "SWOP legislator report card," which will reflect how the legislators' voting record for this past session measures up according to our social justice standards. Stay tuned....
If you are interested in designing something for us, please let us know. The deadline for submissions is Monday April 23rd. Please send all entries to joann@swop.net or call 505-247-8832 if you have any questions.
Are you a writer or photographer, or simply have something great to share? Let us know you may get published by SWOP!
US Social Forum Viral Video Re-launched with TOP HONORS
SWOP's Viral Video was re-launched by COA news on You Tube and received over 1300 hits in just 10 hours.
It is displayed on "Most Viewed (Today) in News & Politics"
What you can do right now: 1. Watch the video again just click here: Affect Change 2. Leave comments & rate the video 3. Forward it to everyone you know 4. Re-launch the video on your website or you tube!
95 days until the US Social Forum. Are you coming? www.ussf2007.org
In the Spirit of Cesar Chavez, UNITE for Human Rights!
MARCH & RALLY Music * Entertainment * Speakers * Food
Featuring Son de Madera & Concepto Tambor
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Music and Poetry at 10:30am March begins at 11AM (Bring your banners!) South Broadway Cultural Center Park (1025 Broadway SE)
Rally and Celebration 12 noon National Hispanic Cultural Center (4th and Avenida Cesar Chavez)
Come celebrate the memory of Cesar Chavez and the diversity of Albuquerque.
CO-SPONSORS Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department Lo Maduro de La Cultura National Hispanic Cultural Center New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO SouthWest Organizing Project
For more information call Michael Casaus 417-5288
Honrando el espiritu de Cesar Chavez, Unamonos por los derechos humanos
Marcha y Manifestacion Comida * Entretenimiento* Oradores* Musica
Presentando a Son de Madera y Concepto Tambor
Sabado, 31 de marzo, 2007
Musica y poesia a las 10:30AM La marcha comienza a las 11AM ¡Traiga sus Pancartas! Parque de El Centro Cultural de Broadway (1025 Broadway SE)
Manifestacion y evento cultural, 12 del mediodia hasta las 3PM Centro Nacional Hispano (Calle 4 y Avenida Cesar Chavez)
Celebre la memoria de Cesar Chavez y la diversidad de Albuquerque.
CO-PATROCINADORES DEL EVENTO Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department Lo Maduro de La Cultura National Hispanic Cultural Center New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO SouthWest Organizing Project
Para recibir mas informacion llamar al Michael Casaus 417-5288.
IF ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE - ANOTHER U. S. IS NECESSARY!
United States Social Forum Atlanta, GA June 27-July 1, 2007 www.ussf2007.org
Where will the USSF take place?
We will be headquartered in downtown Atlanta at the Atlanta Civic Center, the Westin Hotel, Central Park, Renaissance Park, and the Downtown Marriott. We will also utilize space at the Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, Auburn Ave. African-American Research Library, Atlanta Central Library, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, CARE, the APEX Museum, Trinity United Methodist Church, and Amnesty International to name a few. Community and Cultural events are also being planned for Hammonds House African American Gallery, 7 Stages Theatre, Horizons Theatre, Charis Books and More, Gateway Theatre, and Eyedrum.
The Call for Program Proposals is now on the website! Click the link on the left side of the opening page. You can complete your proposal(s) online or download the proposal form in Word and complete to submit by mail. Don't forget to register before you submit you proposal. What happens at the U.S. social forum depends on what you want to happen - share some education about what you do, share your vision for a better world, share strategies ad campaigns that will move us to a better way of organizing for change. EACH REGISTERED ORGANIZATION CAN SUBMIT UP TO FOUR PROPOSALS FOR THE SOCIAL FORUM PROGRAM!
Where will I stay?
USSF rooms at the Downtown Marriott are sold out!
We still have rooms at the Westin! Hurry before they are sold out too.
The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel 2O10 Peachtree St - Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Phone: (404) 659-1400 - Fax (404) 589-7424 Attendee - for Group Rates US SOCIAL FORUM Visit http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=0702066903&key=7ED14
ROOM TYPE AND RATE Single, Double, Triple, Quad: $127.00 Suite: $300.00 Roll away beds: $15.00 per day additional fee
Other Hotels (http://www.ussf2007.org/other_hotels)
the following list of hotels also offer USSF Group Rates *QUALITY HOTEL DOWNTOWN ATLANTA *ATLANTA HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN *DAYS INN ATLANTA DOWNTOWN *CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL ATLANTA AIRPORT *COURTYARD (MARRIOTT) EXECUTIVE PARK
I understand only organizations can present programs and events at the USSF, but what is the minimum organization registration you can pay?
The lowest posted organizational rate is $125 for 3 people. Any organization that finds that rate a hardship can write and request a solidarity discount.
How do I get my ideas for a USSF program on the schedule?
Your organization can register for the USSF on-line then access the Call for Proposals, also on the website. You can submit as many proposals as your organization can support.
Then what happens?
The Program Working group along with help from other working groups will review the proposals and group them according to the themes and purpose. June 28 - programs that seek to educate us and raise our consciousness; June 29 programs that call us for us to create a vision for the near future; and on June 30 programs that help us shape strategies for change.
More information -- www.ussf2007.org
Transportation, call for films and videos, youth hostel, call for submissions, vendor application, ride and housing share board and more... -- Alice Lovelace National Lead Staff Organizer United States Social Forum (404) 586-0460, Ext. 32 office (404) 525-4728 fax
AP reported on Campaign for a Better NM last month
Lobbyists pay for ski passes, radio ads By Barry Massey, Associated Press Writer Alamogordo Daily News Article Launched:03/20/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT
SANTA FE-Lobbyists and their clients spent at least $277,800 during the just ended legislative session on food, drinks and gifts for lawmakers, but also telephone calls and mailings to encourage voters to contact their elected officials.
The most expensive gifts were ski passes valued at $40,675, which were handed out by Ski New Mexico, the trade association for the state's ski areas.
The passes were good for lift tickets at New Mexico's ski areas. They were distributed to legislators, the governor and staff, according to a report filed by the group's lobbyist with the secretary of state.
According to a review of disclosure reports by The Associated Press, almost two-thirds of the lobbyist expenditures went for food, beverages and so-called special events, which usually are dinners and receptions in which all legislators are invited or selected groups such as members of a particular committee.
For example, Desert Eagle Distributing, a Roswell-based beer wholesaler, spent $3,763 for a dinner earlier this month for 31 people, mostly legislators from southeastern New Mexico.
This session several groups organized broadcast campaigns for or against legislation. There also were telephone banks, in which voters were called and encouraged to contact elected officials on a specific measure pending in the House or Senate.
About $13,650 was spent on radio advertising by a coalition that pushed for approval of a statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants, stores and workplaces. Gov. Bill Richardson signed the measure into law last week.
Cheryl Ferguson of New Mexicans Concerned About Tobacco said Monday the radio ads were aired on an Albuquerque station that reached most areas of the state and ads were broadcast on stations in Clovis, Alamogordo and Carlsbad.
The ads asked people to call legislators and voice support for the smoking ban.
"I think it really raised the profile of it," Ferguson said.
Lobbyists for two tobacco companies, Philip Morris and Reynolds American, reported that $7,238 went for telephone calling operations against a bill that would have raised taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Tobacco tax increase proposals failed during the 60-day session. Philip Morris is owned by Altria Group Inc.
Groups advocating ethics and campaign law changes also were active.
Common Cause New Mexico and the League of Young Voters spent $4,203 for phone banking to build support for measures to limit campaign contributions and gifts to state officials.
The SouthWest Organizing Project, a community activist group in Albuquerque, spent $8,507 on mailings and bumper stickers for its campaign in favor of the ethics proposals, an increase in the minimum wage and a measure to expand health care coverage to more New Mexicans.
A lobbyist for the Center for Civic Policy reported spending about $2,400 for two briefings and dinners for legislators on several subjects, including ethics reforms and environmental issues.
Matt Brix, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, said a company was paid to make calls to voters in targeted legislative districts. People were asked if they would be willing to contact lawmakers on the ethics and campaign proposals. Those who agreed were automatically transferred to the Capitol.
"The registered voter doesn't have to pay for a long distance call to Santa Fe. They just get patched through and they can leave their own message," said Brix.
The Legislature approved a proposal to cap the value of gifts to state officials. But other ethics measures failed, including a bill to limit campaign contributions to legislative and state office candidates and a measure to create an independent ethics commission.
Gov. Bill Richardson has called a special session of the Legislature, which begins Tuesday, and the ethics proposals are on the agenda for lawmakers to again consider.
Brix said it's possible that phone bank operations will be used during the special session to try to build support for ethics measures.
"It's something we would always consider employing if we think it's going to be helpful," said Brix.
Lobbyists are required to report expenditures of $500 or more within 48 hours during a legislative session. A complete report of lobbyist spending during the first four months of the year, including the legislative session, is due in May.
03/18/07 ABQ Journal - Anti-War Protesters Demand Action From Congress
******* karlos says: (Sleepy dreamy music) Dream headline: Anti War groups call for slow down, strike to coincide with May Day activities as part of a new strategy to disrupt industrial (anti) war complex (End sound)
Let me know if I'm out of line, folks :) *******
ABQ Journal - Sunday, March 18, 2007 By Debra Dominguez-Lund Journal Staff Writer They carried signs that read, "Honk for peace," "Let Iraq live," "Impeach Bush" and "Wake up America."
More than 1,200 area residents and anti-war activists demanded the attention of New Mexico's congressional delegation Saturday during a peace march and rally in Downtown Albuquerque.
A similar rally attracting about 250 protesters also took place in Santa Fe.
"We're challenging our congressional delegation to take a stand against the war in Iraq and stand up for what is right— for what New Mexico needs," said Stop The War Machine co-founder Jeanne Pahls.
The grass-roots anti-war organization and several other area groups, including the University of New Mexico's Humanist Society and the Southwest Organizing Project, organized the event.
"Our government has given us four or five reasons for the Iraq war since it began," Pahls said. "Today, we're still over there, and we still don't know what this war's about. Our Congress needs to impeach Bush."
The peace march began at Albuquerque's Civic Plaza and concluded at Robinson Park with a peace rally called "Peace-a-Palooza" that offered band performances and anti-war speeches.
UNM Humanist Society president Aaron Cowan said his group wants Congress to enact legislation to bring U.S. troops home now; to stop recruiting soldiers from impoverished, highly minority populated schools; to free Palestine from Israeli occupation; and to halt military plans to bomb Iran.
Jess Unrein, a 58-year-old Albuquerque resident and disabled veteran, said he participated so he could speak out about the war.
"We need permanent peace— an anti-war movement," Unrein said. "Instead, it seems we have permanent war going on in Iraq."
Event organizers said the local event went smoothly and that the demonstration was part of a global protest on the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
In Santa Fe, protesters— including Santa Fe Mayor David Coss— rallied outside the Roundhouse on Saturday afternoon as the legislative session wrapped up before marching to the Plaza.
"I call on the Democrats that we elected to Congress. ... Bring our men and women home," Coss said.
Journal North staff writer Raam Wong contributed to this report.
1000 protesters gathered at civic plaza today to stand up against the unjust war on Iraq and the economic draft that has targetted young women and men in poor communities of color. "Iraq is eating our generation alive" exclaimed Emma Sandoval a SWOP representative at the rally preceding the march. More than 3000 soldiers have lost their lives, 29 have been from New Mexico.
SWOP youth's campaign focuses on dramtacially reducing the number of military recruiters on school campuses, and putting an end to the pressure they recieve to join the armed forces. Youth need an education and healthcare, what they don't need is to sign a death contract that will profit Bush.
Anti-War March and Rally Saturday March 17th; SWOP Youth demand a stop to military recruitment efforts in poor communities
For Immediate Release: March 16, 2007 Contact SWOP - 505 247 8832
Tomorrow’s national call to action marks the fourth year of combat for the young soldiers of the United States armed forces. SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP) youth members have felt a direct impact of the heightened military recruitment that targets young low-income students of color, and they have taken part in organizing 200 youth to attend tomorrow’s local Anti-War demonstrations and activities.
“Recruiters are the salesmen for the military; misleading our youth with bribes of wealth and education in exchange for the ultimate risk, their lives – 29 New Mexico soldiers have already died,” says Casandra Stewart, an intern at SWOP.
Historically, military recruiters target the poorest high schools in the district, and American battalions are made up of disproportionate numbers of people from economically distressed communities. SWOP’s young organizers say young people are often made to feel that the military is the only chance they have to succeed.
New Mexico youth should not be pressured into joining the military, we need the truth in order to make more informed decisions about our future,” states Rodrigo Rodriguez, also an intern at SWOP.
As the numbers of supports for this war diminish, the death toll keeps rising. “ We demand that the military stop recruiting our young people to fill the death quota of an unjust war, “ says Julian Moya, a member of SWOP.
Over 200 youth are expected to attend the anti-war march and rally, “Peace-a-Palozza at Robinson Park. The march Begins at 11:00am at CIVIC PLAZA, and will march toward Senators Domeneci and Bingaman’s offices, concluding at the park. Local artists and Inti-Ilimani will perform at Robinson Park.
NEW MEXICO NEWS CONNECTION A statewide news service for New Mexico Producer: Eric Mack Phone: 888-471-1722 Fax: 303-253-8905 E-mail: nmns@publicnewsservice.org
Sound files are available at: www.newsservice.org
NM Youth Call for Military Withdrawal from Iraq - and State Schools
Albuquerque, NM - Young New Mexicans will be marking the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion by speaking out against military recruitment in schools. A rally is planned for tomorrow (Saturday) morning at Albuquerque Civic Plaza, followed by a march to the offices of Senators Bingaman and Domenici, and a "Peace-a-polooza" event with live music and speakers at Robinson Park. Comments from Rodrigo Rodriguez, youth leader with the Southwest Organizing Project.
Tomorrow marks the 4th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and a group of young New Mexicans are calling for a full military withdrawal - not only from Iraq, but from schools here at home. Rodrigo Rodriguez with the Southwest Organizing Project believes that's one place military recruiters don't belong.
They need to stop targeting our young people in our schools. You know, we're not going to do it anymore, we're not going to fight for their causes. We want to fix our problems that we have here at home first."
A rally to protest the war is planned for tomorrow at 11 A-M in Albuquerque at Civic Plaza, followed by a march to the offices of Senators Bingaman and Domenici. In the afternoon, slam poets and other speakers will share their views on war and military recruitment at a "Peace-a-polooza" event at Robinson Park.
Rodriguez claims recruiters have a history of targeting minority and low-income students.
"You know we have a long history here of militarization with people of color going into the military here in New Mexico and you know with our long history of nuclear proliferation."
Military spokespeople have denied charges of racial targeting and say they only recruit with the permission of school principals and officials. Rodriguez says some local principals have become less interested in having recruiters in their schools.
Editor's Note: Rodriguez is at 505-620-1476.
NEW MEXICO NEWS CONNECTION Un servicio de noticias para todo el estado de Nuevo Mexico Teléfono: 888-471-1722 Fax: 303-253-8905 E-mail: nmns@publicnewsservice.org
Marzo 16, 2007
La juventud pide el retiro de los militares en Iraq y en las escuelas Albuquerque, NM - Los jóvenes de New Mexico conmemorarán el 4º Aniversario de la invasión de Iraq expresándose en contra del reclutamiento militar en las escuelas. Un rally está planeado para mañana (sábado) por la mañana en la Plaza Civic de Albuquerque, continuará con una marcha representada por las oficinas de los Senadores Bingaman y Domenici y un evento en el Robinson Park de "Peace-a-polooza" con música en vivo y con varios expositores y presentadores. Comentarios de Rodrigo Rodriguez, el líder de la juventud de la organización SouthWest Organizing Project. Guión Sugerido: Mañana se conmemora el 4º Aniversario de la invasión de Iraq, y un grupo de jóvenes de New Mexico están pidiendo el retiro total de los militares - no sólo de Iraq sino que también aquí en nuestro país. Rodrigo Rodriguez de la organización Southwest Organizing Project cree que es en las escuelas donde los reclutadores no deben de estar.
"Necesitan suspender el enfoque de reclutar a nuestros jóvenes en las escuelas. Sabes, no lo haremos más , no vamos a pelear por su causa. Queremos enfocarnos en resolver los problemas que experimentamos aquí en casa primero."
Un rally en protesta contra la guerra se planea para mañana a las 11 A-M en la Plaza Civic de Albuquerque, después hay una marcha representada por las oficinas de los Senadores Bingaman y Domenici. Poetas críticos y otros presentadores expondrán sus opiniones acerca de la guerra y del reclutamiento militar. El evento para el rally llamado "Peace-a-polooza" se llevará a cabo por la tarde en el Robinson Park.
Rodriguez afirma que ya se sabe las tácticas de los reclutadores que se enfocan en las minorías de estudiantes de bajo recursos económicos.
"Sabes, tenemos un historial enorme de reclutamiento militar de personas de color en New Mexico y tu conoces nuestra historia de proliferacion militar."
Over twenty five New Mexican servicemen have been killed in Iraq (to see their faces and hometowns click here). Over thirty five hundred American servicemen and women have been killed (see their faces here). Tens of thousands of American soldiers have been injured, and over one-half million Iraqi civilians killed.
Peace-a-Palooza and Information Tables
The South West Organizing Project is organizing music and dancing for the Peace-A-Palooza at Robinson Park. Aztec dancers will be performing as the march reaches Robinon park to bless the festivities. Plans include Slam Poets, Bands, Dance Groups, and other performances, as well as live painting by local aerosol artists. The goal of the event is to be as inclusive as possible, and to ensure a multi-cultural/multi-generational day of peace.
Please sign up to have an informational table for your group. Information in both English and Spanish is welcomed and encouraged. Please send in your table registration by March 15th (click here for the form) to Rodrigo at the SouthWest Organizing Project 211 10th street SW, or send it via email Rodrigo@swop.net. For more info please call 505-620-1476.
SWOP Jóvenes Unidos and the Omnirootz theater company have started our play called “We won’t Pay! We won’t Pay!” by Dario Fo. Rehearsals have started, and will be performed on 3 weekends in May.
These are areas we need covered:
Main actors
-actors age 16 and up
-actresses age 16 and up
-understudies ages 16 and up
Actors ages 5-12
Every Saturday morning from 11-1:00 we will have theater/yoga classes for kids to develop their focusing skills and teambuilding. The class is free to SWOP kids and friends. The first kids class is this Saturday, March 17th from 11-12:00. These workshops will also prepare the kids for a filmed grocery store riot scene for the main play.
Teenage actors
-a separate filmed riot scene
Production Crew
-set/props
-lighting
-costume
-sound (DJ, etc.)
-graphic designers
-chefs
Camera crew
We want to train some folks at Community Cable Channel 27 to be able to film our riot scenes.
Want to be on our camera team?
Musicians
-to write/arrange music for play
-to perform live throughout play
WE INVITE YOU TO A POTLUCK THIS SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AFTER THE WAR PROTEST/PEACE-A-PALOOZA. The potluck should start around 4:30pm at Out ch’yanda performance space at 929 4th St. and Santa Fe St. People can leave their food at SWOP or at Outchyanda during the day.
Please call Rosina 243-1256 if you are interested in being involved on some level.
SWOP Delegation to World Social Forum to Hold Event to Share Stories
What: WSF Africa report-back and $5 spaghetti dinner Who: SWOP When: 6-8 pm Wednesday March 14, 2007 Where: 820 Broadway Blvd, SE - St Francis Xavier Church Multi Purpos room
The 2007 World Social Forum was held Jan 22-25, in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. A delegation of SWOP members attended the forum as part of Grassroots Global Justice representing US grassroots social justice groups. SWOP will be hosing a reportback to members, friends and allies to talk about the global justice movement. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for SWOPs delegation to the US social forum.
SWOP is just too cool for words; Vote for SWOP on Alibi's Best of Burque
SWOP is the beeeezneeez, as my mom would say.
Did you all see that video for the USSF (scroll down)? Or the plan to tour the South on the way to the forum? Have folks seen those beautiful people up at the roundhouse in Santa Fe doing that Campaign for a Better New Mexico thing and wearing those fabulous I love New Mexico t-shirts? What about in Pajarito Mesa? Carlsbad?
Maybe you've heard about all that work the youth are doing for the anti-war demos coming up?
Maybe you've heard SWOP on the radio and in the news?
And I'm just barely scratching the surface.
I'm asking folks to do a few things to keep the momentum going.
And go over to Alibi.com and cast a vote for your favorite community based organization.
The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression. The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.
The USSF sends a message to other people’s movements around the world that there is an active movement in the US opposing US Policies at home and abroad.
We must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to get there. A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible!
To get involved and find out about SWOP's delegation to the forum, call the office at 505 247 8832 or email monica@swop.net. SWOP is planning a social justice bus tour of the south on the way with our friends over at Southwest Workers Union.
FNS 3/5/07 Geraldine's Story: From Nogales to Afghanistan
Frontera Norte-Sur March 5, 2007
Mexican immigrants have filled virtually every nook and cranny of the US economy. They toil away as cannery workers in Alaska processing crab for seafood lovers; they sweep private Dallas jets for the corporate elite, and they sweat in the hot New Mexico sun installing roofs for the dream homes of countless couples. More and more, their personal stories are getting coverage in both the Mexican and the US press. Geraldine Marquez was one woman whose name leaped from the anonymity of the immigrant economy and culture and onto the front pages. Unfortunately, she never saw the stories about her.
Born in the border town of Nogales, Sonora, Marquez moved with her family to southern California when she was young. Later, the young woman served in the United States Air Force before moving on to defense contractor Lockheed Martin. On February 27 of this year, Marquez was killed along with 22 other people when a suicide bomber exploded a device at Bagram air base in Afghanistan where the 31-year-old woman was employed. The attack occurred while U.S President Dick Cheney was visiting the base.
Just prior to her death, Marquez celebrated her birthday. According to her brother-in-law, Victor Rios, Marquez recently told him that she felt secure in her situation at Bagram, where she worked in the supply section. However, Marquez's family grew worried when the Lockheed Martin employee failed to return birthday e-mails.
"We were worried about her and praying that nothing had happened to her," Rios reportedly told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin of California.
Even though Marquez was involved in a US mission, her death received more immediate attention in the Mexican than in the US press. The story was prominently posted on the home pages of several national and regional Internet news sites.
Sources: El Universal/Notimex, March 2, 2007. La Jornada, March 2. 2007.Proceso/Apro. March 2, 2007. El Diario de Juarez, March 2, 2007.
Frontera NorteSur (FNS): on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news Center for Latin American and Border Studies New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico
Today the New Mexico House of Representatives approved SB 324, sending the legislation--which the House amended to reach $7.50 by January 1, increase annually with the cost of living, and preserve the right of cities to pass their own increases--back to the Senate.
This is a tremendous victory for working New Mexicans. Please call Speaker Ben Lujan and your local legislator to thank them for ushering through one of the strongest minimum wage bills in the country.
Our work is not done. The Senate is expected to reject the House's changes, sending the bill into conference committee. Stay tuned for more information on how to insure that New Mexico gets a minimum wage law significantly better than what Congress is debating.
For more information, contact Matthew Henderson at nmacorn@acorn.org.
Health Security Act Passes House Health and Government Affairs Committee!
Exciting news to share today! This morning, the House Health and Government Affairs Committee passed House Bill 1222 (the Health Security Act) by a 5–2 vote!
This is our second victory this session! The first was the passage of Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act) in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12.
Thank you all so much for calling your representatives on the committee, and for asking your friends and relatives to call, too!
Next Steps
The Health and Government Affairs Committee's "do pass" recommendation must now get accepted by the House floor, and then House Bill 1222 should move on to its second and last committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
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