Although this post may not seem not directly related to Palestine, it deals with an issue of serious importance to all progressives, liberals, and Leftists, including those who focus on the issue of Palestine. Resistance to the Israeli occupation of Palestine (as well as to ethnic cleansing, apartheid, etc in all their manifestations) is part of the constellation of inter-related progressive causes which results from the political-economic system we live under. And since the occupation is sustained by the United States, the world’s sole superpower and the principle enforcer of the global political-economic system, it cannot be divorced from the other injustices inherent to this system, or from the movements that resist this system. Indeed, as a progressive organization, and an organization of students, USC SJP is, I believe, duty-bound to take a stand in solidarity with all movements for justice and genuine progressive change. –Omar Hussein
CALL TO ACTION TO DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION
WHAT: Planning meeting to organize Oct 7, 2010 Strike and Day of Action to Defend Public Education.
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Solidarity Hall (2170 W. Washington Blvd., L.A.–Off the 10 Fwy. at Western, on bus lines 35, 207 & 550).
WHO: All are welcome
Last fall, in Berkeley California, nearly a thousand students, campus staff and teachers joined with other activists and called for a statewide strike and day of action on March 4, 2010 to defend California’s beleaguered public schools from the wave of privatization, budget cuts, fee hikes, and attacks on public sector unions sweeping California—and the nation. Planners were determined to build a powerful fight to stop bi-partisan attempts to privatize the public wealth created by generations of workers.
March 4, 2010 was a successful day of coordinated marches, walkouts, rallies and strikes that spread from California across the nation and the world. Our loud, multi-racial and multi-generational forces demanded fully funded, quality, public schools, funded by taxes on the wealthy and corporations. These demands resonated nationally with a public weary of life under a system that serves up service cuts, poverty and joblessness caused by tax cuts for the rich. Hundreds of thousands of students and workers in 37 states took to the streets. Rallies were held in parts of South Africa, Portugal, Brazil and the UK—all facing related threats. Many public sector unions endorsed the call and helped to organize the actions.
Since March 4th the economy has worsened. Unemployment rises while schools, colleges, social services, and organized labor face increased attacks. The only way to stop this plunder of public services and resources is to build a movement strong enough, broad enough and determined enough to force a halt to the cuts and a reinstatement of full funding for needed jobs and services.
The March 4th movement voted at their Statewide Conference this past April to organize the next Strike and Day of Action on Thursday, October 7. What happens in Los Angeles will affect the entire nation, so we need to start now to build a large, multi-racial, militant force to take to the streets that day.
As members and supporters of the Los Angeles March 4th Committee, we urge you to attend the August 15th planning meeting. If you belong to a union or other organization, please send one or more representatives. The movement needs everyone’s strength and commitment.
The quality of life of future generations depends on our taking responsibility to organize now!
In Solidarity,
Muffy Sunde, The Freedom Socialist Party (FSP)
Debora Santos, LA March 4th Committee
Omar Hussein, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), LA March 4th Committee
Julia Wallace, LA March 4th Committee
Yuisa Gimeno, Radical Women
Jeri Deitrick, LA March 4th Committee
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Omar at 818-613-0146 or email: omarhussein@gmail.com
USC Students for Justice in Palestine 