Category: Action Alert

Running out of toys

~ susie

This makes me sad. If you have the means to donate, please do so:

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in Philadelphia has been flooded with requests for toys this year, far outstripping supply, say organizers.

And local marines are asking for help.

“We are way under supplied,” said Staff Sgt. Marc Palos, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Philadelphia and Bristol.

“We are running out of toys and people keep requesting them,” he added. “We just don’t have enough to give them.”

Palos cited continuing economic troubles as the culprit, but says he is unsure why this year would be worst than last.

Last year, the program produced over 113,000 toys by Christmas.

“This year, I seriously doubt will make that marker,” Palos said. “We’re just not receiving the toys we have in the past from the public.”

However, Palos said corporations are still donating, and he said there is still time to make up the slack. The Marines have collection sites at all Philadelphia Fire Department stations, as well as four Toys R Us locations.

“In years past, we really didn’t have an issue,” Palos said. “We need to get the word out … I guarantee you that by the end of this week, we might not have any toys to distribute.”

Tonight at UC Berkeley

~ susie ~ 1 Comment

CARL DIX, CORNEL WEST — IN THE AGE OF OBAMA…POLICE TERROR, INCARCERATION, NO JOBS, MIS-EDUCATION: WHAT FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH?

WHEN: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 7PM

WHERE: Pauley Ballroom, UC Berkeley (Telegraph & Bancroft)
* Free & Open to the Public

Berkeley, California, December 1, 2011 – In the midst of, and as part of the growing political awakening on college campuses and in cities nationwide, two of the country’s most outspoken and politically engaged Black intellectuals – Cornel West and Carl Dix – will speak at UC Berkeley on Friday. Coming in the recent aftermath of shocking police violence against peaceful student protests at both UC-Davis and UC-Berkeley, this event is shaping up to be a dynamic and powerful one, built for and sponsored by numerous student groups and academic departments, and to be recorded by C-SPAN. While the repression directed towards youth seeking a more just society has been strong, the movement of students on UC-Berkeley and other campuses has grown more determined and continues to inspire many more here and around the world.

The event – titled “In the Age of Obama… Police Terror, Incarceration, No Jobs, Mis-education: WHAT FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH?” will address issues at the heart of the campus and Occupy protests, the racism and inequalities facing society’s most oppressed, as well as broader issues of moral responsibility, the roots of injustice, and the prospects and pathways for fundamental social change.

Please call if you’re in PA

~ susie ~ 1 Comment

The DRBC is the Delaware River Basin Commission. I got into an argument with the staffer who answered the phone when I said, “I hope the governor paid attention to the results in Ohio last night.”

“You mean the vote to stop Obama healthcare?” he said in a snide tone.

“No, I mean the vote to protect bargaining rights for public workers,” I said. “And don’t start that right wing crap with me. When voters really wake up and understand the right-wing agenda that Governor Corbett and his friends are trying to shove down our throats, they don’t support it, and they ARE waking up.”

“All righty!” he said and hung up.

Save the internet from the Teabag caucus

~ susie ~ 1 Comment

Here’s the important part: If this resolution passes, it would not only void the current rule but also prohibit the FCC from engaging in any effort to protect Internet freedom going forward. This is a really serious threat, go call your senator:

A handful of corporate hardliners in the Senate is introducing a “resolution of disapproval” that would give phone and cable companies unrestricted power over the Internet. We need your help to ensure your senators don’t support this free speech-killing resolution.

The resolution would destroy existing Net Neutrality protections and strip the FCC of its authority to protect Internet users from carriers that seek to block our right to speak freely, connect with one another and share information on the Internet.

It’s time for us to mobilize to protect the open Internet. Enter your zip code, pick up the phone and urge your senators to stand up for Net Neutrality and reject this resolution of disapproval.

Occupy Philly

~ susie

In solidarity with Oakland!

Join Occupy Philly to participate in the general strike on Wednesday, November 2, along with occupations across the continent.

Meet at 15th and Market streets at noon for a dialogue pertaining to the general strike and why it’s happening, followed by a solidarity march at 12:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., also at 15th and Market streets, we ask people to participate in a dialogue addressing the fact that because of the economic disparities that exist, many people couldn’t even strike if they wanted to.

People are also calling in sick to show support, or taking part in a 99-minute slowdown.