tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891846658944397442024-02-21T22:19:58.924-08:00Seattle International Socialist OrganizationUpcoming events and meetings of the Seattle International Socialist Organization (ISO.
The ISO has branches and members in more than 65 cities across the country - we are committed to building a left alternative to a world of war, racism and poverty.
A world free of exploitation--socialism--is not only possible but worth fighting for.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-29027246635738877282012-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:002012-02-14T08:26:35.665-08:00We've Moved to a New Website!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">As the ISO has grown to three branches we've upgraded to a new website, please find the Puget Sound District of the ISO at <b><a href="http://www.pugetsoundsocialists.org/">www.pugetsoundsocialists.org</a></b></span><br />
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There you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">can c<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">heck out our</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.pugetsoundsocialists.org/?page_id=423" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2020c6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blog</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">for news and opinions, find information about</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.pugetsoundsocialists.org/?page_id=21" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2020c6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Events & Meetings </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">in Seattle, UW and Everett, and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.pugetsoundsocialists.org/www.pugetsoundsocialists.org/?page_id=295" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2020c6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Get Involved</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">in a branch near you!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">We'll leave this site up as an archive of past meetings and blog entries, but will no longer be updating it</span></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-6475401920878388752012-02-08T13:08:00.000-08:002012-02-08T13:09:45.951-08:002/9 City Meeting: A Victory for Women's Rights! What's Next After Komen?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWGTRs1Az7XDmHNYYZsWTKI6a7FWGjREQ2iOUj_quqerCB0anKjBTqR-5EsVA9UbEZF_CrBKhQIzepZgUcd_vqwDtZuwVAv4LHZYPOHzqnO1nSxdek7I_aMjoCy1z-9tmPmq96972xw/s1600/Planned_Parenthood_protest_via_ProgressOhio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWGTRs1Az7XDmHNYYZsWTKI6a7FWGjREQ2iOUj_quqerCB0anKjBTqR-5EsVA9UbEZF_CrBKhQIzepZgUcd_vqwDtZuwVAv4LHZYPOHzqnO1nSxdek7I_aMjoCy1z-9tmPmq96972xw/s1600/Planned_Parenthood_protest_via_ProgressOhio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWGTRs1Az7XDmHNYYZsWTKI6a7FWGjREQ2iOUj_quqerCB0anKjBTqR-5EsVA9UbEZF_CrBKhQIzepZgUcd_vqwDtZuwVAv4LHZYPOHzqnO1nSxdek7I_aMjoCy1z-9tmPmq96972xw/s320/Planned_Parenthood_protest_via_ProgressOhio.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">THURS, Feb 9<br /> 7-9pm</span></strong><br />
The Summit<br />
420 E Pike St (<a href="http://www.google.com/maps?q=420+E.Pike,+Seattle,+WA+98122&hl=en&ll=47.614166,-122.325511&spn=0.000899,0.002189&sll=47.614129,-122.325409&hnear=420+E+Pike+St,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98122&t=m&vpsrc=6&z=19&layer=c&cbll=47.614086,-122.32544&panoid=oAz9Eh4nmaXVKZh5keAobQ&cbp=12,311.86,,0,7.85">map</a>)<br />
<strong>Enter on the west side of Summit Ave between E Pike and E Pine St</strong><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/367340036611505/">RSVP on facebook</a><br />
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<strong>What's Next After Komen? An Activist Panel Discussion</strong><br />
After last week's surge of support for Planned Parenthood forced Komen to amend their policy, women's rights supporters have every reason to claim victory. Is this a turning point in the war on women? Reproductive rights and gender equality activists will discuss what comes next!<br />
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<strong>Panel featuring</strong><br />
Liz Fawthrop: Member of the Seattle International Socialist Organization and one of the founding members of Seattle Clinic Defense<br />
Kristin Moon: Member of the Occupy Seattle Gender Equality Caucus<br />
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Read more:<br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/02/08/komens-race-to-the-right">Komen's Race to the Right</a><br />
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<strong>Co-sponsored by</strong> <a href="http://www.seattleclinicdefense.org/">Seattle Clinic Defense</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/occupyseattlegenderequality">Occupy Seattle Gender Equality Caucus.</a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-20541463205286226682012-01-31T13:43:00.000-08:002012-01-31T13:43:36.754-08:002/2: City Branch Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQGrQV-n7KJ68_PgwbXCEFwMFJPAMMuEZjdZkaPWmdmlXft0obaKFdFHNiL1vfGgszX-AsolvTC1-VwS6IDEWGL6YcEvUjcIFVx5QKflG7o2NpzNyBpQu-RRn_Muc-AutDQofouMc1jBk/s1600/tahrir+1.2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQGrQV-n7KJ68_PgwbXCEFwMFJPAMMuEZjdZkaPWmdmlXft0obaKFdFHNiL1vfGgszX-AsolvTC1-VwS6IDEWGL6YcEvUjcIFVx5QKflG7o2NpzNyBpQu-RRn_Muc-AutDQofouMc1jBk/s320/tahrir+1.2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(<a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/20121259355661345.html">Photo Credit</a>)</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">THURS, Feb 2</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">7-9 PM</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Summit</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">420 E Pike St</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Enter on the west side of Summit Ave, between E Pike and E Pine Sts</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Egypt's Unfinished Revolution</span></strong><br />
Jan 25 of this year-- one year after the massive day of demonstrations that ultimately led to the fall of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak-- Cairo's Tahrir square was once again the site of massive protest. While Mubarak is gone, Egyptians continue to face economic injustice and harsh repression at the hands of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. Discuss the latest developments and implications for the future of Egypt.<br />
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<strong>Read more</strong><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/26/solidarity-with-egypts-revolution">Solidarity with Egypt's revolution</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/30/egyptians-are-hungry-for-dignity">Egyptians are hungry for dignity</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/25/power-and-wealth-to-the-people">Power and wealth to the people</a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Fundraising</span></strong><br />
In December we voted to raise a total of $8000 as a district for the Center for Economic Research and Social Change's annual fund drive. CERSC is the publisher of Haymarket Books and the International Socialist Review, invaluable resources for arming a new generation of activists with ideas to change the world. We'll discuss where we're at with our fundraising goals.<br />
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<strong>Read more</strong><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/12/appeal-from-haymarket-books">An appeal from Haymarket Books</a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Police Brutality Update</span></strong><br />
Report on latest developments and plans for building community organizing meetings/ study groups on The New Jim Crow.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-81827431785716195282012-01-26T11:29:00.000-08:002012-01-20T21:34:39.335-08:001/26: Reform or Revolution Educational Meeting UPDATED LOCATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXBDBnnNhhnvGCbL89P691o5go8uu8jwxOXBQPnMGtTrNMYXIaUQ-mUUz3Ij_SPIoekatbShtRiEgfps9UNzkmN-VBWOJQ1S4MxTpvooA55LtQdDpin_Hke2EufX_0JGAhV3CatmNAI62/s1600/Essential%252520Rosa%252520Lux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXBDBnnNhhnvGCbL89P691o5go8uu8jwxOXBQPnMGtTrNMYXIaUQ-mUUz3Ij_SPIoekatbShtRiEgfps9UNzkmN-VBWOJQ1S4MxTpvooA55LtQdDpin_Hke2EufX_0JGAhV3CatmNAI62/s1600/Essential%252520Rosa%252520Lux.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">THURS, Jan 26</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">7-9PM </span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">UPDATE: Univ of Washington Thomson Hall Room 211 (<a href="http://www.washington.edu/maps/?THO">campus map</a>)</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/347573875253407/">RSVP on facebook</a> <br />
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Written by German socialist, Rosa Luxemburg, in 1900, Reform or Revolution discusses the relationship between reforms under capitalism and the revolutionary goal of a new economic and social order. As socialists, we support both! The Occupy movement raises questions about what's next and the question of the role of movement demands. <b>Join us for this exciting and timely discussion!</b><br />
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While reading the book is strongly encouraged, it is not necessary to join in the discussion.<br />
<br />
The book is available online through the <a href="http://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1900/reform-revolution/index.htm">Marxist Internet Archive</a> or for purchase from <a href="http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Essential-Rosa-Luxemburg">Haymarket Books</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-58288103788875631372012-01-19T12:24:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:24:45.525-08:001/19 City Meeting CancelledDue to the weather, we have decided to cancel tonight's meeting.<br />
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Stay warm and safe!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-76659208180366129172012-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:002012-01-19T10:50:41.255-08:00The solidarity we need for LongviewBy Sam Bernstein, Dan Trocolli and Darrin Hoop<br>
Originally published at <a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/19/the-solidarity-we-need">socialistworker.org</a><br>
<br>
LONGSHORE WORKERS in the small city of Longview, Wash., are in <a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/labor-war-in-longview">a life-or-death struggle for their livelihoods and community</a> against multinational conglomerate EGT Development.<br>
<br>
The 200 members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
Local 21 have been escalating their struggle to force EGT--an
international consortium of several Fortune 500 companies that has built
a new $200 million state-of-the-art grain terminal in Longview--to
honor a nearly 90-year-old commitment to union longshore labor working
the West Coast ports.<br>
<br>
In the course of the struggle, ILWU members and their supporters have
organized mass pickets of hundreds to block trains from bringing grain
to the terminal. The union rightly maintains that it is protected by the
First Amendment right to protest on public, port-owned property.<br>
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The company and the state have taken a hard line. Local 21 is up
against multiple global corporations, heavily militarized police and
private security, the National Labor Relations Board, and another
union--Operating Engineers Local 701--which is providing scab labor.
Some 75 of Local 21's members have been arrested. The local has been
fined more than $300,000. Its members have faced injunctions, pepper
spray and relentless police harassment and brutality.<br>
<br>
As the date for the first operational ship to be loaded at the EGT
terminal nears, labor and Occupy activists are planning for mass
protests in Longview. The rise of the Occupy movement has provided a
perfect opportunity for wide layers of working people to mobilize in
support of, and in solidarity with, Local 21 and their struggle.<br>
<br>
On January 2, the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council--the umbrella union body for the Longview area--<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/09/take-a-stand-for-the-ilwu">adopted a resolution</a>
calling for "friends of labor and the '99 percent' everywhere to come
to the aid of ILWU Local 21, and to support them in any way possible in
their fight against multinational conglomerate EGT." The labor council
call requests "that anyone willing to participate in a community and
labor protest in Longview, Washington, of the first EGT grain ship do so
when called upon by this body."<br>
<br>
The following day, ILWU International President Robert McEllrath, who
was arrested last September as part of a protest that blocked a train
headed to the terminal, <a href="http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2012/01/ilwu-pres-mcellrath-prepare-to-take-action-when-egt-vessel-arrives/">issued a letter calling for action</a> when the ship arrives: He wrote:<br>
<blockquote>
When the time comes, [we will] publicize action that supporters of the
ILWU can take to advance the cause against EGT and protest government
collusion to protect commerce at the expense of workers and
community...We welcome outside support for our efforts against EGT.
</blockquote>
Occupy activists up and down the West Coast have responded to the
call for solidarity and are in the midst of preparing for caravans to
Longview when the first ship comes in.<br>
<br>
However, a minority of Occupy activists are putting this potential
unity in jeopardy through attitudes and tactics that are hostile to the
ILWU and organized labor. This came to dramatic head at a Longview
solidarity meeting held in Seattle on January 6.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2012/01/solidarity-we-need-for-longview.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-73576207874644517152012-01-14T20:45:00.000-08:002012-01-14T19:49:23.381-08:00UW The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx Series<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dIRzzwdsG1-WgvdfkcoiKf2B-m7xpA9t5L8nwAOAkxUTUvr2KKtWoPHaPyqLSlKaQoOgs08lCb5FDb2HiGNEoKoLLBLANetLTCiY01j7P1WU2Wm-w0_FXn4uVw1ri0nIyQ5r8cUW7r4/s1600/UWWinter2012_Poster_Final_2_Version_REALFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dIRzzwdsG1-WgvdfkcoiKf2B-m7xpA9t5L8nwAOAkxUTUvr2KKtWoPHaPyqLSlKaQoOgs08lCb5FDb2HiGNEoKoLLBLANetLTCiY01j7P1WU2Wm-w0_FXn4uVw1ri0nIyQ5r8cUW7r4/s200/UWWinter2012_Poster_Final_2_Version_REALFINAL.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.4361740876920521" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join the UW ISO for our series of talks and discussions about the revolutionary economic and political ideas of one of the world's most controversial and influential philosophers. </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The discussions will take place in </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 22px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Thomson 211</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at UW</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on the following dates:</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 12th 5:30PM - Socialism Not Capitalism</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Capitalism is a system set up by and one that benefits the 1%. Socialism is a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth their labor creates.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 26th 7:00PM - Reform or Revolution</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We support reforms to improve our lives under capitalism, but they won't end inequalities. Capitalism must be replaced by a democratic workers state based on councils of workers delegates.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 9th 5:30PM - Worker's Power</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Workers of the World Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!" Socialism is working class self-emancipation. Only mass struggles of workers can put an end to capitalism. </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">February 23rd 7:00PM - Equality and Liberation</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Capitalism divides the working class based on sexual, gender, racial and other distinctions. The liberation of the oppressed is essential to socialist revolution and impossible without it. </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">March 1st 5:30PM - Revolutionary Party</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To achieve socialism, the most militant workers and students must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The ISO is committed to playing a role in laying the foundations for such a party. </span></b></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-48825829541371144002012-01-12T12:51:00.000-08:002012-01-12T14:34:51.482-08:001/12: City Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAFGmOZZJf81k79l7mEGyZq-maJaBR0OLFc2IIga0Az86JkhRUdj_5RQGivspXfIl6JRbShORxkPmhn99KjWrMAG8uj9BHAKkE0WEx7mwjGciBRPjZJoOfFzYMOqz_PPwqcdreikiOhh2/s1600/ILWU-Protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAFGmOZZJf81k79l7mEGyZq-maJaBR0OLFc2IIga0Az86JkhRUdj_5RQGivspXfIl6JRbShORxkPmhn99KjWrMAG8uj9BHAKkE0WEx7mwjGciBRPjZJoOfFzYMOqz_PPwqcdreikiOhh2/s320/ILWU-Protest.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">THURS, Jan 12</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">7-9PM</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Summit</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">420 E Pike St (</span><a href="http://www.google.com/maps?q=420+E.Pike,+Seattle,+WA+98122&hl=en&ll=47.614166,-122.325511&spn=0.000899,0.002189&sll=47.614129,-122.325409&hnear=420+E+Pike+St,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98122&t=m&vpsrc=6&z=19&layer=c&cbll=47.614086,-122.32544&panoid=oAz9Eh4nmaXVKZh5keAobQ&cbp=12,311.86,,0,7.85"><span style="color: #cc0000;">map</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Enter on the west side of Summit Ave, between E Pike and E Pine Sts</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Looking for a UW Meeting?</i> <a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/search/label/UW%20Meeting">Click here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>How do we build solidarity between labor and occupy?</b></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">We have a historic opportunity to connect the occupy movement with the crucial labor struggle of ILWU Local 21. Discuss local developments and the debates that have arisen among activists in the course of building solidarity here in Seattle. </span><br />
<br />
Read more:<br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/09/take-a-stand-for-the-ilwu">Take a stand for the ILWU</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/05/longview-call-for-solidarity">Longview's call for solidarity</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/16/tactics-and-the-port-shutdown">Tactics and the port shutdown</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2008/01/11/uniting-to-resist-employers">Uniting to resist the employer's attacks</a><br />
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<b>Branch Organization Discussion</b><br />
With new and exciting opportunities for organizing in the new year, we'll discuss branch organizing priorities and areas of work.<br />
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<b>Police Brutality Work Update</b><br />
An update on the latest plans for the upcoming protest demanding Police Chief Diaz resign Saturday, January 14.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/123828274402448/">RSVP to event on facebook.</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-64594194275195075722012-01-09T14:06:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:06:09.420-08:00Take a stand for the ILWU<em>The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is battling to get multinational conglomerate EGT Development to honor the union's West Coast contract and use ILWU labor at a new $200 million grain terminal. When picketing disrupted test-run operations at the terminal, the company countered with harassment and state repression--ILWU Local 21 has been fined over $300,000, and at least 75 of its 200 members face some form of citation, fine or arrest.</em><br />
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<em>Sometime between the beginning of January and early February, EGT plans on unloading its first barge grain shipment using scab labor--and then loading its first scab ship.</em><br />
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<em>On January 2, the <span class="sw_author">Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council </span>--the umbrella union body for the Longview, Wash., area--adopted a resolution calling on union members and supporters to participate in a protest against the first EGT grain ship. Below, we reprint the resolution passed by the council and a call to action from one of its officers.</em><br />
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<strong>Resolution of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council</strong><br />Adopted January 2, 2012<br />
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Whereas: the ILWU has always been at the forefront in the struggle for social justice and better working conditions. And,<br />
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Whereas: ILWU Local 21 has inspired working people worldwide. And,<br />
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Whereas: ILWU jurisdiction is under an unprecedented attack. And,<br />
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Whereas: It is clear to all working people that EGT is seeking to race to the bottom and destroy a long history of good family wage jobs throughout the area. And,<br />
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Whereas: The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council, hereinafter called the Council, recognize the blatant union-busting tactics of EGT, as well as the danger of losing the ILWU as a powerful ally for the working class. And,<br />
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Be it Resolved: That this Council call out to friends of labor and the "99 percent" everywhere to come to the aid of ILWU Local 21, and to support them in any way possible in their fight against multinational conglomerate EGT. And,<br />
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Be it further Resolved: That this Council request that anyone willing to participate in a community and labor protest in Longview, Washington, of the first EGT grain ship do so when called upon by this body. And,<br />
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Finally be it Resolved: That the Council forward this resolution to all local unions, the Washington State Labor Council, Oregon Federation of Labor, California Labor Federation, the AFL-CIO and all other relevant organizations.<br />
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Respectfully submitted,<br />Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council Executive Board<br /><strong>Jeff Washburn</strong>, president<br /><strong>Tim Pfiefer</strong>, vice president<br /><strong>Kyle Mackey</strong>, secretary/treasurer<br /><strong>Lynda Hart</strong>, trustee<br /><strong>Dale Barto</strong>, trustee<br /><strong>Lowell Lovgren</strong>, trustee<br /><strong>Rex Osborne</strong>, seargent at arms<br />
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<strong>A Call to Action</strong><br />
IT IS estimated that sometime in late January or early February, the EGT facility at the port of Longview will receive its first grain ship to be loaded at its berth. The name and timing of this ship will undoubtedly be kept secret until the last possible moment.<br />
<br />
It is likely there will be a few days to as little as 24 hours' notice of when the ship will dock. Notification will be given via the Internet and any other relevant means of networking throughout the country. We are imploring all able working class people willing to take time out of his or her own lives, to come to Longview, Washington, for a historic protest.<br />
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This is the time for workers everywhere to take a stand. Unions and the working class standard of living that have benefited from collective bargaining for so long are in danger of being extracted completely. You can see this systematically taking place over the last 30 years or longer, and especially in recent times. Unions have lost ground over this period of time due to unjust anti-labor laws, corporate influence on the government, and complacency on the part of organized labor among other reasons.<br />
<br />
We recognize the danger of, and view the government attack on, collective bargaining of public employees as a warning shot to labor as a whole. Wisconsin was ground zero and the spark that awoke the sleeping giant that is labor. Workers are beginning to remember there is indeed strength in numbers, regardless of how many unjust laws are made to divide us. We have not been pacified long enough as to give up our constitutional rights or to give up all the gains our forefathers fought and died to achieve over the last hundred years.<br />
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People inherently ask WHY? Why should I, or others come to the aid of the ILWU? Why should I care, and what does it matter if this ship gets loaded and they lose this struggle?<br />
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The ILWU has a proud history of being arguably the strongest labor union in the world for almost 80 years. The secret of this success lies in the bottom up, rank-and-file democratic structure. This empowers and involves every member. And the intelligence and foresight of the leaders who knew without unity on the entire West Coast and unity with the working class, there was no strength.<br />
EGT is attempting to break the ILWU. They are operating on public port property where the ILWU have worked for decades. They are in violation of their lease agreement, which states that the ILWU is to be the workforce on port property. Longshoremen have done work in port grain elevators before the ILWU was formed in 1934. If EGT succeeds, they will have essentially broken the ILWU.<br />
<br />
First, they will set a precedent that work on public port docks is no longer automatically longshore jurisdiction. Then within less than a year, when the northwest grain handlers' agreement is set to be negotiated, all the other grain elevators will seek to either go non-ILWU or to match the eroded standard EGT creates. Shortly thereafter, in 2014, the ILWU will negotiate its master contract with the Pacific Maritime Association. If they lose, you can bet the PMA will take notice and hit hard.<br />
Most importantly to note is that grain accounts for 30 percent of the ILWU health and welfare package. If you lose a third of your bargaining power and your traditional jurisdiction on port property, what are you left with? Either no ILWU, or a union that would resemble nothing like what it once was. There would be little or no collective power up and down the West Coast, and no way to fight for social justice or defend the working class, just as the ILWU has done for so long, in its entrenched and strategic position at the gates of international commerce.<br />
<br />
Longshoremen have traditionally been a rough and tough bunch, but they always make sure to educate their members on the importance of history, unity and the power of collective bargaining. People nowadays forget or have not been taught their own history. They forget what it means to cross a picket and become a scab the rest of their life. For 30 years or more, we have been sliding downhill, while some would argue unions have outlived their time. The reality is unions are the last defense when the imperfect system of checks and balances within our government fails to serve the interests of the workers.<br />
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The class struggle never really goes away. Right now, the rich and the ruling class are attempting to deal a blow that labor might never recover from. The ILWU has always been the vanguard of labor everywhere. Today, the ILWU's slogan of "An injury to one is an injury to all" couldn't be any more pertinent for all organizations. So please, if you believe in a better future for the 99 percent of us that work for a living, do what you can to support ILWU Local 21.<br />
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<i>"The most important word in the language of the working class is solidarity"--Harry Bridges</i><br />
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In Solidarity,<br /><strong>Kyle Mackey</strong>, secretary/treasurer, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council and ILWU Local 21 memberAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-37389272531354599542012-01-09T14:00:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:06:33.945-08:00Interview: Longview's call for solidarity<em>In the small city of Longview in Washington state, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 21 is locked in a battle to force multinational conglomerate EGT Development to use ILWU labor at a new $200 million grain terminal--the first new terminal built on the West Coast in the last 25 years.</em><br>
<br>
<em>When picketing by hundreds of unionists and their supporters disrupted test run operations at the terminal, the company countered with harassment and state repression--Local 21 has been fined over $300,000, and at least 75 of its 200 members face some form of citation, fine or arrest. However, in a setback for EGT, the two cases that have gone to court so far have resulted in acquittals for Local 21 members.</em><br>
<br>
<em>Sometime between the beginning of January and early February, EGT plans on unloading its first barge grain shipment using scab labor--and then loading its first scab ship with grain destined for Asia. Local 21 President Dan Coffman summarized the stakes in this modern-day labor war by saying, "We view this as an attempt by corporations to try to break the strength of the ILWU."</em><br>
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<em>In December, Occupy Longview put out a call "to all Occupies, from New York City down to Florida, all the way through to the West Coast, to join us in solidarity in Longview" in protest against the scab barge and ship when they arrive at the Port of Longview. <span class="sw_interviewee"><strong>Paul Nipper</strong></span>, a spokesperson for Occupy Longview, talked to <span class="sw_author"><strong>Darrin Hoop</strong></span> about the importance of the call for people to caravan to Longview--and why Local 21's struggle is crucial not only for the Longview community, but for people all over the U.S.</em><br>
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<div class="question">
WHY DID Occupy Longview (OLV) vote to call for a caravan to Longview to support ILWU Local 21 in its struggle against EGT?</div>
<div class="question">
<br></div>
THE GROUP voted to move forward with this action because we view Longview as ground zero in the labor movement right now. The ILWU is considered to be one of the most powerful unions in the country and world as well. If "the corporations" are successful in busting up a union as strong as the ILWU, who's next? The answer is obvious--anyone who gets in their way.<br>
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<div class="question">
WHY IS this struggle one the Occupy movement nationally should support?</div>
<div class="question">
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THE OCCUPY movement is all about supporting the middle class and trying to level the playing field between corporate power and people. Union workers are part of the 99 percent. It is a verifiable fact that when unions are strong, the middle class is strong. It's no coincidence that with the decline of union membership, the rest of the middle class has suffered.<br>
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The members of OLV are all in agreement that unions have the final grip on our voices in the workplace, and even in our unbalanced political system. We also agree that it is inevitable that if the remaining unions in this country are overpowered and busted up, our voice will no longer be heard in both arenas.<br>
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<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2012/01/interview-longviews-call-for-solidarity.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-85932213605519790882012-01-09T13:56:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:03:38.140-08:00The brutal legacy of Seattle policeBy Johnny Mao<br>
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/05/brutal-legacy-of-seattle-police">Orginally published at socialistworker.org</a><br>
<br>
THE MEDIA spotlight on the Seattle Police Department (SPD) grew wider and more intense on December 15 when the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) released the results of an 11-month-long civil rights investigation.<br>
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The shooting murder of John Williams in August 2010 by officer Ian Birk and subsequent public outcry spurred the federal investigation, and the results have become another firestorm for discussing serial police brutality in Seattle.<br>
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Evidence in the report, corroborated by the accounts of citizens and SPD documents, shows a "pattern or practice" in which the SPD violated the U.S. Constitution by engaging in excessive force with "deficiencies in SPD's training, policies and oversight," where "starting from the top, SPD supervisors often fail to meet their responsibility to provide oversight of the use of force" with "troubling practices that could have a disproportionate impact on minority communities."<br>
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The report also found that excessive force was enabled by "vague" use-of-force policy, "pervasive underreporting" and a lack of "true finding nor remediation" in failing to seriously punish any abuses of authority.<br>
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Police Chief John Diaz and Mayor Michael McGinn were caught off-guard by the announcement, and their meeting with the Feds reportedly "ended in raised voices and bitter accusations by city and police officials, upset at the Justice Department's findings," according to the <i>Seattle Times</i>.<br>
<br>
In anticipation of the Justice Department announcement, police officials proposed their own review of police shootings through an independent auditor. "It is my hope that the DOJ will be as cooperative as we have been and allow the police department to examine and study the data that helped them come to their conclusions," Seattle Police Officers' Guild President Rich O'Neill said in a statement.<br>
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McGinn, Diaz and O'Neill attempted to defend themselves in public statements. "[Diaz] has implemented reforms to [SPD] training, community outreach and professional accountability, and continues to do so," said McGinn.<br>
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"I want to make this clear," Diaz told reporters after the results of the report were released. "The department is not broken."<br>
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However, Seattle NAACP President James Bible has said that the SPD needs to "clean house," echoing calls of community groups, such as El Comité Pro-Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social, who are calling for Diaz to resign. "The Seattle-King County NAACP has been aware of the pattern of excessive force for the past 25 years," said Bible.<br>
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<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2012/01/brutal-legacy-of-seattle-police.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-22260354462029022492012-01-04T23:42:00.000-08:002012-01-04T23:45:22.314-08:001/5: UW Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrlSCTdHhcJnCOrmBdsacgWiCCIxZn-Fqii3UqnALUxE-aS7oVZBlvp9V3yQ1OUGKHyg-osyFdF7t8ShWGQc5LOkg9HOHeGlnkA4h3fqYEgruS9v_gjCyqV8DJf1PSBOATSW2TtVCHCA/s1600/UWISO_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrlSCTdHhcJnCOrmBdsacgWiCCIxZn-Fqii3UqnALUxE-aS7oVZBlvp9V3yQ1OUGKHyg-osyFdF7t8ShWGQc5LOkg9HOHeGlnkA4h3fqYEgruS9v_gjCyqV8DJf1PSBOATSW2TtVCHCA/s200/UWISO_logo.jpg" width="126" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Welcome back from Break! We'll have our first meeting of the quarter at </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">5:30pm this Thursday in Thomson 211. </span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">Agenda:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1. Intro to the UW ISO</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> (30 min)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">We'll talk about what the UW ISO hopes to accomplish this quarter and answer questions about how our group works on campus and off.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2. Labor War in Longview </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">(45 min)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">A labor struggle of national importance is taking place just two hours south of us in Longview by members of ILWU Local 21 and the union busting grain conglomerate EGT. Solidarity is urgently needed as EGT is expected to unload a scab ship in late January or early February. Hear about organizing plans in Seattle including a solidarity meeting this Friday (see announcement below).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Read more about the struggle:<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/labor-war-in-longview" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Labor war in Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/10/05/rallying-support-in-longview" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Rallying support in Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/09/29/the-battle-of-longview" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The battle of Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILWU.21.Fans" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ILWU Local 21 Facebook Page</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3. UW General Assembly</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> (30 min)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">Next Tuesday UW will be having it's first General Assembly t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222;">o talk about what we want for our campus, outside bureaucratic channels.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">We'll discuss the GA and how to help organize for it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Check out <a href="http://uwgenassembly.org/">http://uwgenassembly.org/ f</a>or more info</span></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-629945055171553422012-01-03T19:35:00.000-08:002012-01-03T19:37:23.814-08:001/4: City Branch Meeting AgendaThis week we're having our City meeting on<b> Wed night</b> so that we can attend Thursday's event <a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2011/12/event-bds-call-to-action-with-omar.html">BDS: A Call to Action with Omar Barghouti </a>and we'll also be <b>in a new location</b>, just a few blocks from our previous meeting space at SCCC.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Wed 1/4 7pm</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Summit</span>,</b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">First Covenant church's new meeting space </span></b>at the site of <a href="http://www.google.com/maps?q=420+E.Pike,+Seattle,+WA+98122&hl=en&ll=47.614166,-122.325511&spn=0.000899,0.002189&sll=47.614129,-122.325409&hnear=420+E+Pike+St,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98122&t=m&vpsrc=6&z=19&layer=c&cbll=47.614086,-122.32544&panoid=oAz9Eh4nmaXVKZh5keAobQ&cbp=12,311.86,,0,7.85">the old Honda and Yamaha dealership on the corner of Pike and Summit</a> (420 E.Pike, Seattle, WA 98122).<br />
Please come to the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Side Door</span> on the West side of Summit Street </b>half way down the block between Pike and Pine, next to the parking garage entrance. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Agenda:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGou8cza_A6rmPZKPvPTJnWtrZMI-0mZTkOlh_h_h6dCGCKcSNmmp0R_ItRBMECbJqj197PLtwxl1ejGIC6MJP-uZYVZdcbcg1h7KXDMyU61tkA9ILcZ71XvwYc_hefKVOBIzDwHpQriY/s1600/183781_10150106447991593_534336592_6490434_7596278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGou8cza_A6rmPZKPvPTJnWtrZMI-0mZTkOlh_h_h6dCGCKcSNmmp0R_ItRBMECbJqj197PLtwxl1ejGIC6MJP-uZYVZdcbcg1h7KXDMyU61tkA9ILcZ71XvwYc_hefKVOBIzDwHpQriY/s200/183781_10150106447991593_534336592_6490434_7596278_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1) Fighting Police Brutality</span> (45 min)</b><br />
After the release of the Department of Justice's damning report on the serial racism and brutality of the Seattle Police Department, organizing is underway to demand justice and accountability!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/spd_findletter_12-16-11.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Full text of the DOJ report</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/12/the_seattle_police_department.php" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Seattle Police Department's Epic Crash: A History, in Brief</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Defend-the-99-Bring-Diaz-Down/162514823853910" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Defend the 99%: Bring Diaz Down</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2) Labor war in Longview </span>(45 min)</b><br />
A labor struggle of national importance is taking place just two hours south of us in Longview by members of ILWU Local 21 and the union busting grain conglomerate EGT. Solidarity is urgently needed as EGT is expected to unload a scab ship in late January or early February. Hear about organizing plans in Seattle including a solidarity meeting this Friday (see announcement below).<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/labor-war-in-longview" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Labor war in Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/10/05/rallying-support-in-longview" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rallying support in Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/09/29/the-battle-of-longview" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The battle of Longview</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILWU.21.Fans" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ILWU Local 21 Facebook Page</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">3) Vote on meeting location (20 min)</span></b><br />
We'll be meeting in a new space -- and we have the opportunity to continue meeting here. We'll discuss the costs and vote on whether to continue meeting weekly at The Summit.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">4) Announcements (10)</span></b></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-62522184218764027202012-01-02T11:34:00.000-08:002012-01-03T20:36:07.848-08:001/5 & 1/6 Events: BDS: A Call to Action with Omar Barghouti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMqvIbkxKxUfSgDDPqilQvu2PgZKIir_jsgTHewRfS44Y2LoxXupwWql_zTU9p-w0gnTTIl5YF5u9lXyEEm9Pe1nYNUYzqzhpqOImZGE5PWakXqbrVhRYZJKBkA3On6Z-s2HljM9b7S75/s1600/omar-barghouti-facebook-e1302759857209-300x177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMqvIbkxKxUfSgDDPqilQvu2PgZKIir_jsgTHewRfS44Y2LoxXupwWql_zTU9p-w0gnTTIl5YF5u9lXyEEm9Pe1nYNUYzqzhpqOImZGE5PWakXqbrVhRYZJKBkA3On6Z-s2HljM9b7S75/s1600/omar-barghouti-facebook-e1302759857209-300x177.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>THURS, Jan 5</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>6:30 PM</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>Bloedel Hall, St Mark's Cathedral</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">1245 10th Ave E, Seattle</span><br />
<br />
And<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><strong>BDS Action Workshop -- </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><strong>FRI, Jan 6</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><strong>6:30PM, </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><strong>AFSC Meeting Hall</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">9th Ave and NE 40th St, University District</span><br />
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<strong>Omar Barghouti</strong> is an independent Palestinian commentator and human rights activist. He is a founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and the Palestinian Civil Society Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.<br />
<br />
Barghouti's book <a href="http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions">BDS: The Struggle for Palestinian Rights</a> is available from Haymarket Books.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-8858159382554563102012-01-02T01:30:00.000-08:002012-01-03T20:02:30.553-08:001/6: Solidarity Meeting: Defend ILWU 21<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Friday, Jan. 6th, 6pm</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Avenue (at Broad), Seattle</span></b></div>
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<b>4pm </b>- Come early for a planning meeting for solidarity caravan to Longview to meet the ship<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Speakers From:</span></b></div>
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- ILWU Local 21 (Longview)<br />
- Million Workers March, S.F.<br />
- Jack Heyman, ILWU 10 (retired)<br />
- Occupy Oakland<br />
- Occupy Seattle<br />
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<br />
Longshore workers are battling for their jobs and our future. The multinational EGT is trying to bust International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 21 by hiring scab labor in their new grain terminal. West Coast Occupy forces are mobilizing to support <br />
their struggle and help block an expected grain ship in late January.<br />
<br />
Join us in discussing how to build an effective movement that can meet our needs as workers -- unionists, unemployed, low-waged and casualized.<br />
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Donate at the meeting or send contributions to: <br />
ILWU Local 21, Attn: EGT Fighting Fund, <br />
617 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632<br />
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For more info call <a href="tel:206-424-4547">206-424-4547</a> or email <a href="mailto:seattleportsolidarity@gmail.com">seattleportsolidarity@gmail.com</a><br />
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Sponsored by members of Occupy Seattle</div>
</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-91212254200501377562011-12-31T11:43:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:42:43.043-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1GC-QnxpYrr1sIrYPf9jMZXGw97yiG8dUMAMJ4kq3DnAq1f9bmir2wmAiEv1w6kGteMJTFFUtO7b8OmBKcIB0NmVD_LxJnhxpBI5xjtcnI_EDUXOEPvRtznuGmW-XvAs456NtJ4i_Hes/s1600/santa+marx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1GC-QnxpYrr1sIrYPf9jMZXGw97yiG8dUMAMJ4kq3DnAq1f9bmir2wmAiEv1w6kGteMJTFFUtO7b8OmBKcIB0NmVD_LxJnhxpBI5xjtcnI_EDUXOEPvRtznuGmW-XvAs456NtJ4i_Hes/s1600/santa+marx.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>We're taking two weeks off for the holidays.</strong><br />
<br />
It's been a fantastic year, a year of revolt from below and struggle for the 99%. Inspiring struggles from Tunsia and Egypt to Wisconsin to Wall Street. Working people of the world have said "enough is enough" and begun to organize and fight back. 2012 should be an exciting year in its own right, building on that momentuem.<br />
<br />
<strong>A few articles to keep you busy:</strong><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/16/the-year-of-revolt">The year of revolt</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/14/jesus-the-revolutionary">Jesus the revolutionary?</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/12/the-ancestors-of-occupy">The ancestors of Occupy</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/15/the-egyptian-revolution-continues">The Egyptian revolution continues</a><br />
<br />
<strong>And, as always, these archives should help fill your holiday down time:</strong><br />
<a href="http://isreview.org/">International Socialist Review</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/">Socialist Worker</a><br />
<a href="http://wearemany.org/">We Are Many</a><br />
<br />
<strong>UPDATED:</strong> January meeting announcements will be posted before the new year. The first Seattle city branch meeting will be <strong>Wednesday, January 4, 2012.</strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-81002644742627113572011-12-16T11:08:00.000-08:002011-12-16T11:08:10.588-08:00Seattle students against cuts<span class="sw_author"><strong>Dan Trocolli</strong></span> reports on a spirited demonstration against education cuts in Seattle.<br>
December 16, 2011<br>
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/16/seattle-students-against-cuts">socialistworker.org</a><br>
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CHANTING "WE'RE the future of our nation, no more cuts to education!" high school students from all over Seattle walked out of class December 14 to protest proposed cuts in education funding. Nearly 700 students converged on the University of Washington's Red Square for a rally that challenged state lawmakers' plans for more budget cuts.<br>
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Washington faces a $2 billion shortfall this year, and Gov. Christine Gregoire called a special session of the state legislature starting November 28 to balance the budget before the regular session starts in January. After nearly $10 billion in cuts over the last three year, Gregoire is proposing over $250 million more in reductions from K-12 education and another $160 million from higher education.<br>
The student walkout was sparked after protests against the special session in the state capital of Olympia. Unions representing state and municipal employees <a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/05/washingtons-painful-cutbacks">mobilized rallies during the first week of the session</a>. Teachers in the Social Equality Educators (SEE), a rank-and-file group of activist teachers from the Seattle area, helped lead attempts by union and community activists to Occupy the Capitol building and disrupt the legislature.<br>
<br>
A judge has declared that Washington's legislature is out of compliance with the state constitution mandating education funding to be the state's "paramount duty." Therefore, SEE sent a team of teachers to Olympia to make a citizen's arrest of the legislature for breaking the law. As the House session began, SEE members unfurled a giant banner reading, "Citizen's Arrest: Law<i>breakers</i> need to fully fund education" from the balcony of the House chambers at the beginning of the session.<br>
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Back in Seattle, when students at Garfield High School learned that a teacher, Jesse Hagopian, <a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/12/why-i-got-arrested-at-the-capitol">was arrested for "mic-checking" the Senate Ways and Means committee</a>, they moved into action. Students created a Facebook page titled "Free Mr. Hagopian." Within hours, they had hundreds of students following it. When Hagopian was released later that day, students changed the group's name to "Seattle Student Walkout for Education."<br>
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On December 7, over 500 Garfield students walked out of class and marched to City Hall. Students made flyers to hand out detailing the cuts and the impact on education. Once at City Hall, they organized a speakout using the people's mic, having filled up the front steps of the building. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn came out and praised students for their efforts.<br>
Garfield senior and Black Student Union President Obadiah Terry remarked on the support for the walkout:<br>
<blockquote>
You can look around your class and see you've got 34 students in a 28-student room, or your teacher has to move around the school and share rooms, or your science teacher has to buy materials for hands-on labs. You can see it all around you, and when everyone realizes it at once, we all know we need to do something about it together.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2011/12/seattle-students-against-cuts.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-31314709761639525672011-12-15T20:00:00.000-08:002011-12-11T16:21:04.926-08:00Haymarket Books for the holidays!<a href="http://www.haymarketbooks.org/">Haymarket Books</a> is offering a fantastic discount for the holidays!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl7UAX6XxOk/TuVHrxsdZjI/AAAAAAAAAO4/a1A6d0cFr8A/s1600/haymarket+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl7UAX6XxOk/TuVHrxsdZjI/AAAAAAAAAO4/a1A6d0cFr8A/s320/haymarket+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fill your bookshelf or check off your holiday gift list with <b>40% off</b> and <b>free shipping</b> through December 15 with the code OCCUPY40. <br />
<br />
The discount applies to any title including recently released titles like <i>Too Many People? </i>by Ian Angus and Simon Butler, <i>On History</i> by Tariq Ali and Oliver Stone, and <i>A Time to Die: The Attica Prison Rebellion</i> by Tom Wicker. <br />
<br />Chris Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430114612758118174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-70988273532075791722011-12-13T09:21:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:22:12.298-08:00Occupy and women's rights<div class="introduction">
<span class="sw_author">Leela Yellesetty</span> explains why the Occupy movement must embrace women's rights.</div>
<div class="dateline">
December 13, 2011</div>
<div class="dateline">
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/">socialistworker.org</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQjFCotSCuMvTowVv7PpJcpsf5D9oSyvkoRPBIKYtMIT8AUDbVOjbJB0sQZxBR4FNkj1G8-oWSx_5I-4VMYT-ukLZp1ti65W8JgsswJwR-DE-s1YlOmokuXMHARbvg_A732BTd4PIz3tI/s1600/scd+at+os.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQjFCotSCuMvTowVv7PpJcpsf5D9oSyvkoRPBIKYtMIT8AUDbVOjbJB0sQZxBR4FNkj1G8-oWSx_5I-4VMYT-ukLZp1ti65W8JgsswJwR-DE-s1YlOmokuXMHARbvg_A732BTd4PIz3tI/s320/scd+at+os.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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WOMEN ARE a majority of the 99 percent.<br>
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We are still paid, on average, only 77 cents to a man's dollar (that number drops to 68 cents for African American women and 58 cents for Latinas). When one takes into account the impact of childbearing and the fact the women still bear the brunt of unpaid labor in the home, this figure slides further downwards. One study measuring the cumulative impact over 15 prime-earning years found that women actually make 38 cents for each dollar a man makes.<br>
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This should come as no surprise living in one of the only countries in the world--along with Swaziland and Papua New Guinea--which does not require employers to provide paid maternity leave.<br>
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Women are disproportionately impacted by the budget cuts that are shredding the social safety net. Nationally, about two-thirds of adult recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program are women. Women and people of color are also overrepresented in public-sector jobs, and therefore are particularly vulnerable to the onslaught of layoffs and pay cuts these budget cuts entail. <br>
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According to the U.S. Labor Department, women lost 72 percent of 378,000 government posts cut between July 2009 and March 2010.<br>
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In my home state of Washington, women constitute 54 percent of individuals enrolled in the government's Medicare health care program. The governor's latest budget proposal includes $2 million in cuts to maternal and child health and $1.8 million to family planning--in addition to the complete elimination of the Basic Health Program, which provides coverage to the state's poorest residents--again, disproportionately women.<br>
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Meanwhile, the 1 percent here in Washington state continues to reap the benefits of generous tax loopholes and the most unfair tax structure in the country. We are home to four of the 23 richest people in the country: Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen. There seems to be a gender imbalance on that end as well.<br>
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<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2011/12/occupy-and-womens-rights.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-76968279045854366522011-12-13T09:08:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:08:51.359-08:00IVAW and Seattle ISO member Jorge on Democracy Now<script src="http://www.democracynow.org/embed_show_v2/300/2011/12/13/story/occupy_protesters_join_to_shut_down" type="text/javascript">
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<em>“I see the struggle that’s going on with the port workers and the truck drivers down in Seattle and across the West Coast,” Gonzalez says, who was pepper-sprayed on Monday while taking part in the Seattle protest. “They deal with the same issues like mental health, homelessness. Veterans, they see themselves connected with all these issues.”</em><br />
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Jorge Gonzalez is the Executive Director of <a href="http://www.coffeestrong.org/">Coffee Strong</a>, an anti-war, pro-soldier coffee house outside of Fort Lewis, and a member of <a href="http://ivaw.org/">Iraq Veterans Against the War</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-13335670978423763122011-12-11T16:29:00.001-08:002011-12-11T16:49:35.325-08:0012/15 District Mtg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL-uDPP-Yaewu_hBX3lahFeuwETkixmFNfhT3o7KPo67UlkzFnsFyFa8iZdsO0-kK-Mu7tPol2o_MMk1MSQl0MJ8pA2smVwcgNMQi2UQ_0lsbuKjMOjqWEtlz74qT9R1CehgtKgYlCvAT/s1600/leela+rach+iso+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL-uDPP-Yaewu_hBX3lahFeuwETkixmFNfhT3o7KPo67UlkzFnsFyFa8iZdsO0-kK-Mu7tPol2o_MMk1MSQl0MJ8pA2smVwcgNMQi2UQ_0lsbuKjMOjqWEtlz74qT9R1CehgtKgYlCvAT/s320/leela+rach+iso+table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #cc0000;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THURS, Dec 15</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7-9PM</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>UW Savery Hall Room 130</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(<a href="http://www.washington.edu/maps/?l=SAV">Campus Map</a>)</b></span></div>
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This Thursday we will be getting together all our comrades from the
Puget Sound area for a district organizing meeting before taking two
weeks off for the holidays. Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 5, 2012.<br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;">NBC report back and Dec 12th & 14th assessments</b><br />The
National Branch Council, a body of representatives from ISO branches in
over 50 cities across the country, will be having a conference call this
Tuesday to assess the state of the occupy movement nationally. We will assess the
actions in Seattle this week, including the Dec 12th West Coast port
shutdown and the Dec 14th student walkouts as well as what's next for the Occupy movement nationally. <br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;">Building the ISO across the Puget Sound</b><br />2011 has been
an incredible year for activism, and as a result the audience for
socialist politics has never been greater. In addition to experiencing
growth in the Seattle branches and the launching of a new Everett
branch, we have met people in other cities and on other campuses. We will discuss a proposal to reach out to these areas by building study groups
and speaking events culminating with the a one-day Puget Sound
Socialist Conference sometime in March.<br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;">Fundraising</b><br />We will vote on a district goal and
fundraising plans for the annual <a href="http://cersc.org/">Center for Economic Research and Social Change</a> fund drive. CERSC is the publisher of <a href="http://www.haymarketbooks.org/">Haymarket Books</a> and the <a href="http://isreview.org/">International Socialist Review</a> which have been key tools for arming a
new generation of activists with ideas for changing the world. In addition we'll be discussing
fundraising parties, trivia night, t-shirt sales and more!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-81595661164158266832011-12-08T19:02:00.000-08:002011-12-07T20:16:36.687-08:0012/8: UW Brainstorming for next Quarter & Doodle Poll<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrlSCTdHhcJnCOrmBdsacgWiCCIxZn-Fqii3UqnALUxE-aS7oVZBlvp9V3yQ1OUGKHyg-osyFdF7t8ShWGQc5LOkg9HOHeGlnkA4h3fqYEgruS9v_gjCyqV8DJf1PSBOATSW2TtVCHCA/s1600/UWISO_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrlSCTdHhcJnCOrmBdsacgWiCCIxZn-Fqii3UqnALUxE-aS7oVZBlvp9V3yQ1OUGKHyg-osyFdF7t8ShWGQc5LOkg9HOHeGlnkA4h3fqYEgruS9v_gjCyqV8DJf1PSBOATSW2TtVCHCA/s200/UWISO_logo.jpg" width="126" /> </a>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">This Thursday is our last meeting of the Quarter. </span></b><br />
Since folks are busy studying for finals we're going to <b>keep the meeting to an hour and just do a casual brainstorm of ideas for next quarter</b>.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Thurs 7-8pm</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Savery 130</span></b><br />
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Feel free to join us even if you haven't been able to be involved yet this year, it's not too late to contribute your ideas and get involved next quarter. </div>
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And on that note we've know a number of people weren't able to make our meetings this quarter with their class schedule, soooo it's time for the......</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">....Doodle Poll</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.doodle.com/5gximm9y78vk36h9">http://www.doodle.com/5gximm9y78vk36h9</a></div>
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We'd love to find a time that works better for everyone that wants to be involved so please fill out the Doodle Poll -- just enter your name and check off the times that work for you for a weekly meeting next quarter. </div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893518882066606599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-57021487572165484052011-12-08T13:26:00.000-08:002011-12-07T20:15:25.483-08:0012/8 City Mtg: What's Next for Occupy Seattle?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrjgBxKajf7NEH5T6jRnYkg1zw5pdYtsoNcWZ_4G6XYePF-CRqTVdNkw5saV3VhkmOwkjSchqiYLyPExFQSD0pYWsVzw5VeeIJ4NmMyGmpO4yxv7BN_1k8SIk7DXTJ8KPyiPqEmSoKnvw/s1600/fish-small-eat-big1-300x202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrjgBxKajf7NEH5T6jRnYkg1zw5pdYtsoNcWZ_4G6XYePF-CRqTVdNkw5saV3VhkmOwkjSchqiYLyPExFQSD0pYWsVzw5VeeIJ4NmMyGmpO4yxv7BN_1k8SIk7DXTJ8KPyiPqEmSoKnvw/s200/fish-small-eat-big1-300x202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">THURS, Dec 8</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">7-9PM</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">SCCC Room 4135</span></b><br />
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<i>Looking for a UW meeting?</i> <a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/search/label/UW%20Meeting">Click here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">What's Next for Occupy Seattle?</span></b><br />
A 72-hour eviction order has been issued to clear the encampment at SCCC by Friday afternoon. Seattle is one of the last remaining encampments in the country, but as cities elsewhere have shown "you can't evict an idea whose time has come". Whatever happens with the encampment, the movement of the 99% will continue. This will be a chance to discuss overall trajectory, the next two sections will focus on specific actions next week. <br />
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<b>Read more:</b> <br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/06/closed-bank-put-to-good-use">A closed bank put to good use</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/06/against-occupyxmas">Why the movement shouldn't #OccupyXMas</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">December 12 West Coast Port Shutdown</span></b><br />
The Oakland General Assembly has called for a coastwide blockade of ports in solidarity with struggles of port truck drivers in LA and the ILWU in Longview. Hear about plans for the action here in Seattle. <br />
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<b>Read more:</b><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/07/why-we-want-a-port-shutdown">Why we called for a port shutdown</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/labor-war-in-longview">Labor war in Longview</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">December 14 Student Walkout</span></b><br />
Students at Garfield and other high schools organized a successful walkout against cuts to education last week, and now they're organizing an even bigger one on the 14th! <br />
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<b>Read more:</b><br />
<a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2016920097_guest03bronsdon.html">Garfield seniors to state: Don't pawn off our future</a><br />
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/05/washingtons-painful-cutbacks">Protesting Washington's painful cutbacks</a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Seattle Transit Riders Union</span></b><br />
An organizing update.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">NEXT WEEK! District-wide meeting</span></b><br />
December 15th will be our last meeting of 2011 and we would like to get all of our members and allies from around the region to come out to discuss some exciting plans, including: Puget Sound Socialist Conference! Speaking tour! Fundraising! Holiday reading plans! <br />
<br />
Full agenda and location forthcoming, but plan to be there!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-43283632009876754532011-12-07T20:05:00.001-08:002011-12-07T20:10:30.383-08:002011: Year of revolt<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/33282784" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/33282784">ISO Year In Review 2011</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/nalexander">N Alexander</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589184665894439744.post-12948841242121333532011-12-06T15:12:00.001-08:002011-12-06T15:16:01.124-08:00Protesting Washington's painful cutbacksOccupy activists join with labor and community groups to demand that Washington state tax the 1 percent instead of cut services, reports <span class="sw_author"><strong>Sam Bernstein</strong></span>.<br>
December 5, 2011<br>
<a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/05/washingtons-painful-cutbacks">socialistworker.org</a><br>
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<br>
THOUSANDS OF Occupy, labor and community activists from around Washington state converged on the Capitol building in Olympia, Wash., November 28 to protest a new slate of devastating budget cuts on the first day of a 30-day special legislative session.<br>
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Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire convened the special session in order to cut $2 billion from the $8.7 billion discretionary state budget. Since the Great Recession began three years ago, the legislature has cut $10.5 billion from education, health, human services and state employees. Just six months ago, legislators slashed $5 billion without raising a cent in new revenue. The Democratic Party controls both houses of the legislature.<br>
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The day of direct actions started with teach-ins organized by the Washington Education Association and Washington Federation of State Employees as well as a rally and march led by Occupy Olympia. While a mass rally was held on the steps of the Capitol building, two dozen teachers attempted to disrupt a session of the full legislature with a "mic check" before they were physically removed by the Washington State Patrol.<br>
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Hundreds of protesters then marched to occupy the House Ways and Means Committee meeting. Initially, state troopers would not let the protesters in. Following loud chanting, banging on the doors and minor scuffles, several dozen demonstrators broke into the hearing room.<br>
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As soon as the meeting started, Jesse Hagopian, a teacher at Garfield High School in Seattle, along with other teachers from <a href="http://seattlesee.org/">Social Equality Educators</a>, "mic checked" the committee. "We, the educators of Washington State, will not remain silent while the state legislature cuts the funding to our schools," <a href="http://youtu.be/ODBNCYRQdyk">they chanted</a>. While attempting a citizen's arrest of legislators for failing to uphold <a href="http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/28/cuffs-on-the-real-criminals">their state constitutional duty to fully fund public education</a>, Hagopian was arrested by state troopers.<br>
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The crowd of protesters continued to use the people's mic to speak out against years of painful cuts to the 99 percent's standard of living. After about 15 minutes, legislators canceled the committee meeting.<br>
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"We have campaigned, petitioned, lobbied and testified through the established political process for three years," transit activist Chris Mobley explained. "But instead of listening to us, they just slashed the budget more and more. They've given us no choice but to disrupt that process through direct action and democracy. It's time we force them to listen to us."<br>
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<a href="http://isoseattle.blogspot.com/2011/12/protesting-washingtons-painful-cutbacks.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337120599763243464noreply@blogger.com