On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, community leaders will gather to announce plans to ameliorate the racially hostile climate at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque campus). The Minister’s Fellowship of Albuquerque and Vicinity (MFAV), a 70-year old organization of pastors dedicated to providing religious and community service, have joined with the local NAACP branch to highlight proven injustices against African American UNM employees.
Complaints against UNM include documented cases of the following:
1) Hostile Climate for African Americans;
2) Compensation Disparities;
3) Adverse impact of policies upon African Americans that reduce the number of role models, reduce quality of healthcare, and reduce the same service delivery; and
4) Inequitable distribution of federal funding for minority healthcare research.
A press conference will be held at New Hope Church, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NE at
10:00 am, Albuquerque, New Mexico. All members of the press are encouraged to attend as representatives from the Minister’s Fellowship and NAACP will announce the filing of its Title VI Civil Rights complaint against UNM. Additionally, cases of injustice will be shared as well as plans to redress them. The time is overdue for the University of New Mexico to rectify policies and procedures that result in unfair disparities and reduction of service delivery to the African American community. The Minister’s Fellowship and NAACP, along with other community allies will work toward ending the institutional racism at UNM.
For more information contact Bishop David Cooper at 505/881-7780.
Showing posts with label Solidarity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solidarity. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Día de La Revolución - 2011
Today is Revolution Day for Mexico. La Raza Unida commemorated this by screening the documentary The Internationale last night at El Chante. Tomorrow 11/21 is the anniversary of Ricardo Flores Magón dying in Fort Leavenworth.
Look for more word on May Day 2012 and the Walk to Cure Capitalism!
Look for more word on May Day 2012 and the Walk to Cure Capitalism!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Public Health Solidarity 11/1/11
Some people know that public health has social justice roots. Part of this is showing in a Public Health Pledge to Support the Occupy Movement. There are also resources for how Public Health can help out.
So far that we know of La Raza Unida, SWOP, the International District Health Communities Coalition, and the Economic Democracy working group of the Bernalillo County Community Health Council have all expressed solidarity with (un)Occupy Albuquerque. If you work in Public Health please sign the pledge!
So far that we know of La Raza Unida, SWOP, the International District Health Communities Coalition, and the Economic Democracy working group of the Bernalillo County Community Health Council have all expressed solidarity with (un)Occupy Albuquerque. If you work in Public Health please sign the pledge!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
10/24/11 Foreclosures
Foreclosures are obviously an economic issue. Prices of homes in 
neighborhoods drops, tax bases erode, and important community relationships are severed. There are also important health issues as well. In a NY Times article "Foreclosures Are Killing Us" there is some very disturbing news. Anxiety, depression, suicide attempts, heart disease, and diabetes all seem to be part of the problem. There have been studies on this and many La Raza Unida members are participating with (Un) Occupy Burque on STOP FORECLOSURE work.
Please get involved, even if it is just spreading the word!
neighborhoods drops, tax bases erode, and important community relationships are severed. There are also important health issues as well. In a NY Times article "Foreclosures Are Killing Us" there is some very disturbing news. Anxiety, depression, suicide attempts, heart disease, and diabetes all seem to be part of the problem. There have been studies on this and many La Raza Unida members are participating with (Un) Occupy Burque on STOP FORECLOSURE work.Please get involved, even if it is just spreading the word!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
New York City General Assembly Declaration 10/06/11
DECLARATION OF THE OCCUPATION OF WALL STREET:
As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.
As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.
They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.
They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.*
To the people of the world,
We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.
Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.
To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.
Join us and make your voices heard!
*These grievances are not all-inclusive.
From:
http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/special-comment-keith-reads-first-collective-statement-of-occupy-wall-street
As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.
As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.
They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.
They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.*
To the people of the world,
We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.
Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.
To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.
Join us and make your voices heard!
*These grievances are not all-inclusive.
From:
http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/special-comment-keith-reads-first-collective-statement-of-occupy-wall-street
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Public Health and Social Justice - V Navarro 1976
"....there is a need to link the public health struggles, both at the local and national levels, with larger political struggles at all levels, political struggles that should be aimed at profoundly transforming a system that works primarily for the few and not for the many. To that end, we must struggle and organize."
Vicente Navarro, 1976
Vicente Navarro, 1976
Short Reflection on Occupy
This is a brief set of thoughts on the current political impulse.
My main question is how do we make direct action, community organizing, and electoral work build upon each other?
We know that a more open approach to politics will make things better for many people. It will not be the solution, but will move things forward. As an example, there have been Mayors who make sure that police do not attack strikers and demonstrators. There are also elected officials, Senator Sanders as an example, who believe in many things that the 99% organizers believe.
We can move beyond "either/or" and get to "all and." This means that we will have to learn to listen to each other. We have to learn to communicate differently. To reach out and check in more often.
We'll make mistakes. And it is OK because this is the time to learn to be gentler with those fighting for social justice. We tend to be very hard on each other. It is time to move beyond that.
We have the opportunity now to discuss lots of things. Who has the privilege to camp, be arrested, travel to demonstrate, etc. And how to use that as an advantage. We have the chance to have conversations about class, race, gender and more with people have not had those conversations with.
We have the opportunity now to talk beyond individual issues. We have the opportunity to discuss changes in the systems and rules. Systems change after the rules change. You don't get different people at the table as long as you need to be a millionaire to buy a ticket. We get different policies by the combination of pressure and more representative decision-makers. We have had one good discussion at Camp Coyote about long-term electoral politics. Something beyond the current "progressive" approach. We need to have many, many more of those conversations.
We have the opportunity now to take many movements and turn it into movement! Many communities have been screwed by capitalism for many years. Like many problems now that it is impacting the white and middle-class it is a "crisis."And in many real respects it is a crisis for all of us.
This is a great time to be alive and working for social justice!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Occupy Burque Day 1
The numbers mentioned ranged between 250 and 600. People in Solidarity with the rest of the Working Class and tired of Billionaire Bailouts came together!
Here are links to some of the media coverage:
Non-Violent Protest In Albuquerque
Raw AP Video
Occupy Burque
Solidarity with the rest of the Working Class and tired of Billionaire Bailouts came together!Here are links to some of the media coverage:
Non-Violent Protest In Albuquerque
Raw AP Video
Occupy Burque
Saturday, June 11, 2011
PRIDE 2011
La Raza Unida stood up for freedom for relationships and sexuality while standing against homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism at the Albuquerque Pride Parade today.
We had a small dedicated and lively group which helped to fire up
the crowd with yells of Viva La Raza and La Raza Unida, Jamas Sera Vencida!
We are clear that homophobia is used like racism, sexism and classism in order to keep us divided. We refuse to be confused about that and will stand in solidarity with all in fighting for justice.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
May Day 2011 Celebration
May 1st Celebration - Celebrating Our Victories and Continuing the Struggle Together.
1-5PM at the West Side Community Center, 1250 Isleta Blvd SW. Picnic style!
Food, live music, DJ, jumpy jumps, kids' activities, soccer, face painting, games, raffles, and medical screening by Casa de Salud, tables, speeches, and lots and lots of fun!...
For more information call El Centro de Derechos Igualdad y Derechos 246-1627.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Walk to Cure Capitalism 2011
We want to extend an invitation to all Working Class people and allies to participate in the "Walk to Cure Capitalism" and the May Day event planned at the Westside Community Center.
The walk will start at noon at La Plazita Institute, 831 Isleta SW and go to the West Side Community Center, 1250 Isleta SW. Please park at the empty lot on Lopez SW. Walking from the plazita near Lopez and Isleta is allowed as well.
The purpose of the walk is to promote working class solidarity amongst all workers, – immigrant and citizen – to have fun, and to bring light to workers issues. We ask marchers to please wear red and black.
The purpose of the walk is to promote working class solidarity amongst all workers, – immigrant and citizen – to have fun, and to bring light to workers issues. We ask marchers to please wear red and black.
The Facebook Cause for the Walk is: http://www.causes.com/causes/601804-walk-to-cure-capitalism
There is also an event at the Westside Community Center that begins at 1pm. There will be food, entertainment, games for the kids and the Casa de Salud (A non-insurance low-cost health center on the corner of Isleta and Arenal) will be offering a health fair. A co-ed soccer game is also scheduled and is $5 a-person with 5-8 players. There MUST be both men and women on the team. (Minimum age is 12.)
Here is a breakdown of events:
Monday April 24th: Planning meeting at Encuentro, 714 4th St SW at 5PM. Translation avail.
Saturday April 30th: Sign making, 1PM at El Chante.
Sunday May 1st: 12-noon, Walk starts, 1pm, Event starts.
We know that capitalism cannot be "cured" - this is a lighthearted approach to the serious issues of right to organize, workers rights, income and power concentration, corporate encroachment upon our lives, immigrant rights issues and more!
Again, please wear red and black.
We know that capitalism cannot be "cured" - this is a lighthearted approach to the serious issues of right to organize, workers rights, income and power concentration, corporate encroachment upon our lives, immigrant rights issues and more!
Again, please wear red and black.
Friday, April 15, 2011
A 2011 May Day Call To Action 2
If you are on FaceBook go to "Burque's May Day" or "Walk to Cure Capitalism" - there will be details on Albuquerque's International Workers Day events!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A 2011 May Day Call To Action
The Bernalillo County La Raza Unida had been working with other groups for May Day events since the 1990s. Worker power and working class solidarity are the general themes. This year we will have an event for International Workers' Day around noon. Please save the date!
From another group:
This is a call to join a network of worker centers, community organizations, and labor unions to increase national participation and power on May Day 2011 to win good jobs, legalization, and equality for every worker. As we all know, Congress and state governments across the nation have begun to wage a relentless attack against all workers this year and in years to come, especially immigrant workers and workers of color. At the same time, the remarkable energy, turnout, and spirit seen five years ago on May 1, 2006 has yet to be duplicated.
Read more at http://maydayunited.org/2011/02/19/call-to-action/
We need to gain the spirit of the original May Day!
From another group:
This is a call to join a network of worker centers, community organizations, and labor unions to increase national participation and power on May Day 2011 to win good jobs, legalization, and equality for every worker. As we all know, Congress and state governments across the nation have begun to wage a relentless attack against all workers this year and in years to come, especially immigrant workers and workers of color. At the same time, the remarkable energy, turnout, and spirit seen five years ago on May 1, 2006 has yet to be duplicated.
Read more at http://maydayunited.org/2011/02/19/call-to-action/
We need to gain the spirit of the original May Day!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Stop the Wars - 3-19-11
Endorsed by Bernalillo County La Raza Unida!
Please attend - wear red and black in solidarity with all working people!!!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Voting as Part of Community Organizing by Roberto Martinez
I became a member of La Raza Unida in 2003, after getting to know party members in Albuquerque who are also involved in other organizing efforts for social, environmental and economic justice. I am a member of the party because I'm tired of voting for the lesser of two evils, and want to do my part to elect good people who will represent my vision for a better world. But most importantly, I want to be part of a movement that uses voting as part of larger community organizing strategy to create justice for poor and working class communities.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
1,000 Women March - Save the Date
1000 Women March:
New Mexico Families on the Rise
Save the Date!
On February 11, 2011 women from communities throughout New Mexico will gather in Santa Fe to make our voices heard by the administration of Governor Susana Martinez.
New Mexico Families on the Rise
Save the Date!
On February 11, 2011 women from communities throughout New Mexico will gather in Santa Fe to make our voices heard by the administration of Governor Susana Martinez.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
One Proposal for Third Party Work
Much of this relates to the work of LRU. Moving to unity and beyond sectarianism will be a major move forward for democracy. A multi-party democracy is possible and will improve our lives by increasing our voices!
Here is an excerpt...
"We need an alliance culture that is about respectful listening, cooperation and the common good (“an injury to one is an injury to all”), as distinct from the currently-dominant culture’s individualism, power-seeking and greed. Indeed, today’s right-wing culture has evolved into a mean-spirited, dishonest and violence-producing approach to politics that is a dangerous and very real threat to our common survival and progress. To the extent that we model a very different way of standing up for our beliefs in an organized way, to that extent will we win over large numbers of people and, over time, expose and isolate the ultra-rightists."
And here is a list of common demands that the author proposes, most of which are on the LRU platform:
*Debates that include all candidates,
*Proportional representation,
*Instant runoff voting,
*Campaign finance reforms,
*Tamper-proof and open-software computer voting machines,
*Abolishment of ‘corporate personhood,’
and Repeal of restrictive ballot access laws.
Here is an excerpt...
"We need an alliance culture that is about respectful listening, cooperation and the common good (“an injury to one is an injury to all”), as distinct from the currently-dominant culture’s individualism, power-seeking and greed. Indeed, today’s right-wing culture has evolved into a mean-spirited, dishonest and violence-producing approach to politics that is a dangerous and very real threat to our common survival and progress. To the extent that we model a very different way of standing up for our beliefs in an organized way, to that extent will we win over large numbers of people and, over time, expose and isolate the ultra-rightists."
And here is a list of common demands that the author proposes, most of which are on the LRU platform:
*Debates that include all candidates,
*Proportional representation,
*Instant runoff voting,
*Campaign finance reforms,
*Tamper-proof and open-software computer voting machines,
*Abolishment of ‘corporate personhood,’
and Repeal of restrictive ballot access laws.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Beyond Elections Part 14
Given that in Brazil the Worker's Party has elected Brazil's first female President this video becomes more important to understand. And given that it takes a Worker Party candidate to declare the goal of ending poverty while neo-liberal and neo-conservative parties take poverty as a permanent part of the landscape it will be interesting to watch how "liberal" countries (US, Canada, Australia, and England) respond to her and working-class policies!
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