Racism, Election, EITC, Immigrant Rights, Criminal Justice Reform Welcome to Black History Month and the Christian season of Lent that begins February 6. "Too often the price exacted by society for security and respectability is that the Christian movement in its formal expression must be on the side of the strong against the weak. This is a matter of tremendous significance, for it reveals to what extent a religion that was born of a people acquainted with persecution and suffering has become the cornerstone of a civilization and of nations whose very position in modern life has too often been secured by a ruthless use of power applied to weak and defenseless people." - Howard Thurman, African-American theologian and civil rights leader CONTENTS 1. Threat to the Power Base 2. Illusion of Choices in U.S. Elections 3. Robbing From the Poor to Feed the Rich 4. Solidarity with Danbury's Immigrant Community 5. Protesting Prison Conditions 6. Criminal Justice Forum, State Capitol 1. Threat to the Power Base Brings Out a Familiar Spirit by Cornell Lewis "It is when black people threaten the power structure that a familiar spirit of racism comes out. Well what else can I call the action by Bill and Hillary? I maintain there is historical evidence to back up my claims. Look no further than King and the Civil Rights Movement. While King attacked segregationists in the South whites adored him. However, when King's focus shifted to ending a war in Vietnam and sharing the wealth of America with non-whites, all hell broke loose. These same people (white liberals) who proclaimed love in the past, now pilloried King without mercy. Now the same thing is happening to another agent of change, a man of color named Obama." Read Blog: http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/02/threat-to-the-power-base/ 2. The Illusion of Choices in the US Elections: Does it herald the dissolution of these United States of America? by Mazin Qumsiyeh "The 2008 presidential elections were likened to the World Wrestling Federation matches: take time and energy but obviously fixed/staged. A more apt analogy would go beyond these elections: the whole political system in the US is a theater play with predictable script but different actors. Yet, the damage caused by elected officials is getting so severe that another four years may finish off the experiment that is otherwise known as the USA (whether those are of a Clinton, McCain, Obama, or Romney administration)." Read Blog: http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/02/illusion-of-choice-in-us-elections/ 3. Robbing from the Poor to Feed the Rich by Frank O'Gorman "As members of the party that proclaims itself protector of faith, family and values, Governor Rell and Republican legislators would do well to contemplate the words of the prophet Isaiah as they advocate eliminating the business entity tax while squashing the proposed Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit." Read Blog http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/03/robbing-from-the-poor-to-feed-the-rich/ 4. Solidarity with Danbury's Immigrant Community by Marela Zacarias "This has been a very exciting and scary month in the immigrant rights movement. As many of you already know the mayor of Danbury wants to pass a 287 G bill that would deputize the police and create a worse environment of fear and racial profiling than the one that already exists. He is planning to vote this bill in on Wednesday, Feb 6th at 7:00 PM at the city council meeting." Read More: http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/03/solidarity-with-danburys-immigrant-community/ 5. Protesting Prison Conditions Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Bridgeport Correctional Center 1106 North Avenue, Bridgeport (Fairmount Avenue Side of Facility) 6:00 PM SHARP Read More: http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/03/protesting-prison-conditions/ 6. Criminal Justice Forum, State Capitol The Clean Slate Committee (CSC) and the CT Pardon Team (CPT) will be holding a joint press conference and educational forum on February 6, at the State Capitol, on the North Steps, or in case of inclement weather, in LOB room 1B. As this year's legislative session begins on February 6, we will gather to hear speakers deliver a timely message on the critical importance of the issues concerning incarceration, reintegration, parole, and pardons. We will be meeting from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The press conference will be followed by a rally. Read More: http://faithct.org/blog/2008/02/03/criminal-justice-forum-state-capitol/ |