April 3, 2017

Where the action is

Margaret Flowers & Kevin Zeese, Popular Resistance - As the kleptocrats escalate their attacks on our communities, we have a responsibility to each other to educate, organize and mobilize to fight back even more. Here are a few opportunities over the next month:

1. “The Majority” is a coalition of “black, Latino, the indigenous, LGBTQ, refugees, immigrants, laborers and the poor [who] will collaborate from April 4 through May 1, International Worker’s Day or May Day, when they’ll launch massive protests across the country.” They plan to begin with political education starting April 4, the anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. Immigrant rights groups and unions are joining the May Day actions with a call by the rank and file for strikes.

There is much to protest. Regulations to prevent wage theft by federal contractors were repealed by the Trump Administration. And Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are pressuring sanctuary cities to comply through increased raids and arrests. Seattle is suing the administration over its threats to withhold federal funds because of its sanctuary status.

2. “Our Health is Not for Sale” is an international day of action against the privatization of health care. In the United States, the People’s Health Movement and Health Over Profit for Everyone are organizing actions coast to coast to educate about why health care is not a commodity and to push for a National Improved Medicare for All health system. It is important to be very clear about the solution to our healthcare crisis because there is talk of ‘fixing the Affordable Care Act’ by adding a public option, which is not a fix but a fraud to delay a real solution. The ACA, written by and for the insurance industry, is fundamentally flawed because it is rooted in the market – improved Medicare for all must become our national health policy.

April 3 to 7 is a national week to call-in and write-in to members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the House bill, HR 676: “The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, and the complimentary Medicare for All legislation that Senator Sanders announced he will introduce in May. On April 7, actions are being planned such as teach-ins in Seattle, a march in New York City, a Speak Out in front of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC and more. Visit the Action Map to find one near you. Contact info@healthoverprofit.org if you want to plan an event. Fracking protests at the White House drew many from the state of Maryland including this one in 2015. Photo: John Zangas

3. The People’s Climate March will take place on April 29 in Washington, DC. There will also be sister marches across the United States. This comes at a time when the administration is waging an all-out attack on the planet. Funds for the Environmental Protection Agency are being cut significantly and climate scientists in the Department of Energy are not being allowed to use phrases such as ‘climate change’, ‘emissions reductions’ or talk about the Paris Climate Treaty.

The marches will show that majorities of people demand climate action now. Other forms of resistance will be required using many tactics. This week, Earth Justice filed a lawsuit against the administration for opening more land to coal mining at a time when we need to end the use of fossil fuels.

1 comment:

Greg Gerritt said...

add the March for Science to the list

https://prosperityforri.com/why-i-march-for-science/