‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
What Democracy Looks Like
by Peter Molenaar From the November/December issue of “Teamster” magazine: Did you know that more than 750 Teamster women recently marched through downtown Minneapolis, coloring the city in a sea of pink and black rally signs? The chant “We”'re Teamsters! We fight! We fight for workers”' rights!” was amplified by sky-scraper acoustics. The refrain “Workers ”˜Yes”', Wall Street ”˜No”'” echoed”¦ The photo-journalist who covered the 2010 Teamsters Women”'s Conference depicted the event with a multi-racial/multi-national collage. One beaming face was adorned by the Muslim hajib. Message: no order of prejudicial exclusion is to be tolerated by our union movement. Did you know that some 600 Teamsters National Black Caucus members recently walked gallantly through the streets of Washington, D.C.? “Civil rights and workers”' rights go hand-in hand” was the theme. The 47th anniversary [...]
Two Faces
By Peter Molenaar I must be loosing it. Damn rabbit ears”¦maybe this way”¦no, nothing. What is up with this new thin screen HD television? No more political attack ads? Arrghh. Seriously, many of these ads have the effect of splashing acid on the opponent”'s face. An ugly caricature is created. T.P.- G.O.P. types appear to be more proficient in the art. The series of ads produced by Mark Dayton”'s people were more positive. They included visual-bites of an industrial scenario set at Smith Foundry (located in East Phillips). My co-workers are now dubbed “movie-stars” by the Teamsters Union! (more…)
On The FBI Raids
by Peter Molenaar The basic facts: The FBI raided five homes and an anti-war office on September 24, 2010. Federal grand jury subpoenas were handed to nine local activists. The activists include eight women and one man ranging in age from 29 to 71. Four are parents of children ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years of age. One is a great-grandmother. Six are members of labor unions. All have been involved in international solidarity and peace work for many years. They are friends and neighbors to each and every one of us. So, now they all face jail time for refusing the initial subpoena. Conceivably, the period of incarceration might be extended “indefinitely” in the event the grand jury reconvenes with this in mind. Representative Clark and Senator Berglin have received praise for resolving against this intrusion. (more…)
