Sunday, August 30, 2015
#BlackLivesMatter marches on Minnesota State Fair
I didn't talk about this particular action but about the terrible state of black people's lives and my concerns about the Black Lives Matter organization. Only three minutes. Not enough time.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Syria Forum at International Action Center on August 12, 2015
I was on a panel at the International Action Center with Sara Flounders, Ramsey Clark, Joe Lombardo, Dr. Ghias Moussa and Lawrence Hamm. We discussed Syria, What's Ahead? Diplomacy or Military Escalation? I start at about 27 minutes.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
UNAC 2015 CONFERENCE: PANEL 2: FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS
I co-chaired this panel at the United National Antiwar Coalition on May 9, 2015 in Secaucus, NJ.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Uber: Neo Liberal Bastards from Hell Calling My House
This afternoon I got a phone call from Uber, the $40 billion for hire car
company trying to take over the world (it operates in 57 countries) by paying
drivers peanuts. I must disclose here that I have an Uber app on my phone and I have used the service six or
seven times in the past year or so.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio is sponsoring legislation to regulate the for hire car industry. That sounds reasonable to me, given Uber’s bad labor track record of racing drivers to the pay scale bottom and flooding an already crowded city with cars, but it didn’t get to be a big company by playing nice.
Uber has hired David Plouffe, a former Obama campaign aide as a lobbyist. Plouffe is trying to get King Rat Al Sharpton on board to fight the mayor.
This is all fairly standard corruption but today I came home to hear this robocall on my answering machine.
“Hi. It’s Molly from Uber and we need your help. Uber ended the days when you couldn’t get a ride during rush hour or in bad weather. Now mayor de Blasio is trying to bring the bad old days back because his billionaire taxi donors are telling him to.
But why on earth would your Council Member ever consider voting for something like this? They should stand up for you, not take orders from the mayor.
You Council Member is still undecided on this issue and we need your voice. Please call and tell them to vote against mayor de Blasio’s anti-Uber bill. Because you and all New Yorkers deserve reliable transportation.
Paid for by Uber 212 257-1745.”
There are now more Uber cars on the streets than the yellow taxis which provide a living wage. I will tell my City Council Member to back the mayor’s legislation. I will also tell Uber not to call me again. Any business that hires Al Sharpton is inherently corrupt and will get no support from me. Then again, de Blasio thought that Sharpton was working for him. There really is no honor among thieves.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio is sponsoring legislation to regulate the for hire car industry. That sounds reasonable to me, given Uber’s bad labor track record of racing drivers to the pay scale bottom and flooding an already crowded city with cars, but it didn’t get to be a big company by playing nice.
Uber has hired David Plouffe, a former Obama campaign aide as a lobbyist. Plouffe is trying to get King Rat Al Sharpton on board to fight the mayor.
This is all fairly standard corruption but today I came home to hear this robocall on my answering machine.
“Hi. It’s Molly from Uber and we need your help. Uber ended the days when you couldn’t get a ride during rush hour or in bad weather. Now mayor de Blasio is trying to bring the bad old days back because his billionaire taxi donors are telling him to.
But why on earth would your Council Member ever consider voting for something like this? They should stand up for you, not take orders from the mayor.
You Council Member is still undecided on this issue and we need your voice. Please call and tell them to vote against mayor de Blasio’s anti-Uber bill. Because you and all New Yorkers deserve reliable transportation.
Paid for by Uber 212 257-1745.”
There are now more Uber cars on the streets than the yellow taxis which provide a living wage. I will tell my City Council Member to back the mayor’s legislation. I will also tell Uber not to call me again. Any business that hires Al Sharpton is inherently corrupt and will get no support from me. Then again, de Blasio thought that Sharpton was working for him. There really is no honor among thieves.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Russian Documentary "President"
I was watching the May 9th Victory Day celebrations on youtube and came across a Russia 24 network documentary about president Vladimir Putin. It appeared to be a history of his presidency and included interviews with him. Of course it was in Russian and I couldn't understand any of it.
Ah, the wonders of the internet. Thanks to Russia Insider I found a link to the eight-part English translation.
Thank you interwebs!
Episode 1
Ah, the wonders of the internet. Thanks to Russia Insider I found a link to the eight-part English translation.
Thank you interwebs!
Episode 1
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Left Forum 2015, Liberation Politics in the Post Obama World
Black Agenda Report always has a great panel at the recent Left Forum. Glen Ford, Ajamu Baraka, Nellie Bailey, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and yours truly. The subject was Liberation Politics in the Post Obama World. BAR always brings it.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Police officer charged with killing 2 unarmed African Americans, found N...
I was a guest on Presstv yesterday. I was asked to comment on the acquittal of a Cleveland policeman who murdered two black people in 2012. I was asked why these crimes persist. My answer, "Racism."
UNAC Conference Political Prisoners Panel
I co-chaired a panel along with Jeff Mackler at the recent United National Antiwar Coalition conference. Jeff and I both serve on the Administrative Committee of UNAC.
Saturday, March 07, 2015
End the US Wars Around The World and At Home
I was among those on a UNAC Panel on October 25, 2014. We discussed many aspects of the wars waged both at home and abroad. I start at around 4:30 but check out all the panelists.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
2014 Was a Very Good Year
Exactly one year ago I began receiving emails announcing that Lynne Stewart, the people's lawyer, was awarded compassionate release from federal prison. I and many others were also asked to greet her at Laguardia airport the next day. I did, and that January 1st began an amazing year.
The very next day, October 25th (yes, I got up the next morning bright and early) to join another UNAC panel, "End the U.S. Wars Around the World and At Home."
More good news came in November. Professor Johnny Eric Williams invited me to speak at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. My topic was "Black America in a System in Crisis."
All of this hard work paid off in November. The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia invited UNAC to speak at a conference on December 13th. I was asked to join and speak on the anti police brutality protests which began in Ferguson, Missouri. The other members of our delegation were Bill Dores, Joe Lombardo, Joe Iosbaker, and Mo Hannah. Unfortunately Mo is not in this picture.
You can read a not very good translation of my radio interview here but better to download on that page so you can hear it.
I love being a tourist.
I left before others in our group and so I missed a protest at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. One of our hosts, Alexander Ionov, is in this photo.
When I returned I got right back to work. I gave another interview on Presstv on December 20th on police violence and the ensuing protests.
There were times that I felt overwhelmed with some of my commitments and wondered if I should slow down. I have learned that sometimes biting off more than I think I can chew is a great way to make progress.
I had no idea in January that I would be going to Moscow in December, but my work made it all possible. It was a wonderful ride which happened because I kept doing what I really love, which is writing and speaking and joining with like minded people whenever possible.
Work hard at whatever you love. That is the moral of this story.
On February 14th I joined with other fans of Lynne to wish her a happy birthday. Here I am with Lynne and Nellie Bailey. (Photo by Tony Savino)
I was deeply honored when Vanderbilt University professors Jemima Pierre and Peter Hudson asked me to join an illustrious group (Kevin Alexander Gray, Dr. Christina Sharpe, David Austin, Dr. Maboula Soumahoro, Dr. Emira Woods, Glen Ford, Kevin Edmonds, Dr. Aaron Kamugisha,
Dr. Naomi Beth Reed, Dr. Johnny Eric Williams, Sokari Ekine, and Dr. Rinaldo Walcott) to speak at a workshop entitled Black Folk in Dark Times. Here I am with my fellow panelists.
Ah spring. In New York City that means Left Forum. As always, Black Agenda Report convened a panel. This year our theme was "Black America and the Empire in Crisis."
Bruce Dixon, yours truly, Dr. Anthony Monteiro, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Glen Ford and Nellie Bailey in front.
In September I joined my comrades at the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) as we presented the panel "War and the Climate Crisis" at the Climate Convergence Conference.
In October, Counterpunch published "Killing Trayvons: An Anthology of American Violence." Thanks to Kevin Alexander Gray, I contributed one of my Black Agenda Report columns, "Obama Dog Whistles Over Trayvon."
I was very busy in
October. On October 10th I was interviewed on Presstv to discuss my column on the ebola epidemic.
On October 10th I joined by Marty Goodman to speak after a showing of the powerful documentary Miners Shot Down at Maysles Cinema in Harlem.
On October 10th I joined by Marty Goodman to speak after a showing of the powerful documentary Miners Shot Down at Maysles Cinema in Harlem.
October 24th the Black Agenda Report team presented our annual fundraiser at Riverside church. This year's theme, "After Ferguson."
The very next day, October 25th (yes, I got up the next morning bright and early) to join another UNAC panel, "End the U.S. Wars Around the World and At Home."
More good news came in November. Professor Johnny Eric Williams invited me to speak at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. My topic was "Black America in a System in Crisis."
All of this hard work paid off in November. The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia invited UNAC to speak at a conference on December 13th. I was asked to join and speak on the anti police brutality protests which began in Ferguson, Missouri. The other members of our delegation were Bill Dores, Joe Lombardo, Joe Iosbaker, and Mo Hannah. Unfortunately Mo is not in this picture.
We were all interviewed by Russian media and I was a guest on Govorit Moskva, Moscow Speaks, for an hour long interview with call-in from listeners. These were my first experiences working with translators and it was all very exciting.
I love being a tourist.
I left before others in our group and so I missed a protest at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. One of our hosts, Alexander Ionov, is in this photo.
When I returned I got right back to work. I gave another interview on Presstv on December 20th on police violence and the ensuing protests.
There were times that I felt overwhelmed with some of my commitments and wondered if I should slow down. I have learned that sometimes biting off more than I think I can chew is a great way to make progress.
I had no idea in January that I would be going to Moscow in December, but my work made it all possible. It was a wonderful ride which happened because I kept doing what I really love, which is writing and speaking and joining with like minded people whenever possible.
Work hard at whatever you love. That is the moral of this story.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Press TV interview
I was interviewed on Press TV on the subject of police brutality and protests against it. Ironically, this interview took place just 45 minutes before two police officers were killed.
December 20, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Freedom Rider in Moscow
The Anti-Globalization Movement is dedicated to "The rights of people to self-determination and construction of a multi-polar world." We all spoke at the conference and made ourselves available for interviews with Russian media.
On December 15th I was fortunate to be interviewed on Govorit Moskva, which I believe is translated as Moscow Speaks. You can listen to the hour long interview here.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Glen Ford and Mumia Abu Jamal (on phone)
Sorry for the poor sound and video quality (filmed with my phone) but Black Agenda Report's Glen Ford and Mumia Abu Jamal were on the point at yesterday's The World Stands with Palestine event. Glen was on point as always when Mumia was able to call in. I can't think of a better way to spend 32 minutes.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
The Spread of Ebola
There I am on Iranian Press tv discussing the spread of the Ebola virus. The interview was prompted by my latest Black Agenda Report column, The Real Ebola Conspiracy.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Al Sharpton, King Rat
Yesterday a black man named Eric Garner was murdered via choke hold and suffocation in broad day light on a Staten Island, NY street by the NYPD. His killing is on video for the world to see.
Al Sharpton, King Rat, has taken over the faux protesting duties, comforting the family, etc. Just remember who he is. This photo was taken in December 2013. The newly appointed NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton, Sharpton and mayor de Blasio all at the house of hoodwinkosity, I mean house of justice.
Sharpton's job is to make it look like black people are protesting. His real job, for which he is well compensated, is working with the powerful to make sure that black people don't do anything of substance.
During Bloomberg's time in office Sharpton said nothing about stop and frisk. He wasn't going to bite the hand that fed him. Now Bloomberg is gone, Obama is a lame duck (his other hustle since 2009) so he slithered back to NYC and pretended to be an activist.
If you want to protest Garner's death, bypass Sharpton. He can't be trusted.
Yesterday a black man named Eric Garner was murdered via choke hold and suffocation in broad day light on a Staten Island, NY street by the NYPD. His killing is on video for the world to see.
Al Sharpton, King Rat, has taken over the faux protesting duties, comforting the family, etc. Just remember who he is. This photo was taken in December 2013. The newly appointed NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton, Sharpton and mayor de Blasio all at the house of hoodwinkosity, I mean house of justice.
Sharpton's job is to make it look like black people are protesting. His real job, for which he is well compensated, is working with the powerful to make sure that black people don't do anything of substance.
During Bloomberg's time in office Sharpton said nothing about stop and frisk. He wasn't going to bite the hand that fed him. Now Bloomberg is gone, Obama is a lame duck (his other hustle since 2009) so he slithered back to NYC and pretended to be an activist.
If you want to protest Garner's death, bypass Sharpton. He can't be trusted.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Black America and the Empire in Criisis
Black Agenda Report panel at the recent Left Forum. Myself, Nellie Bailey, Glen Ford, Bruce Dixon, Anthony Monteiro, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo on Black America and the Empire in Crisis.
Enjoy.
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Imperialism: Facts, Perspectives & Solutions - Your World News
What is imperialism? How is it manifested in 2014? Thanks to Solomon Comissiong from Your World News, I was able to discuss this topic along with Abayomi Azikiwe, Ajamu Baraka, Dahlia Wasfi, Eric Draitser, Stephen Lendman and Michael Parenti.
Well worth your time.
Modern Day Lynching
“Lynch law was never repealed.” Glen Ford
Black people are still being lynched at a rate of one every day. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement documented in a 2013 report, “Operation Ghetto Storm”, that a black person is the victim of an extra-judicial killing every 28 hours. We may hear the name of some of those individuals as in the case of Trayvon Martin, but he was joined by 300 other black people in 2012 whose names we didn’t know.
The killings are becoming more numerous and more brazen. Why else would Stand Your Ground laws exist, if not to give white racists permission to kill without fear of prosecution. Modern Day Lynching is the title of my most recent Black Agenda Report column. I wrote about the killings of brothers Carl and Garrick Hopkins in West Virginia and Mckenzie Cochran in Michigan and the brutal assaults on Darrin Manning in Pennsylvania and Charda Gregory in Michigan.
On the same day that my column appeared I learned of another horrific case. Alfred Wright was found dead in Sabine County, Texas. His throat was cut and his ear was cut off. If that is not a lynching I don’t know what is.
These murders are being committed in part because black people have stood down from their legacy of agitation and demands for justice. The crowning of a black prince/president just put the icing on the cake and silenced people who were always at the forefront of fighting for justice.
Where are the black elected officials? Where were they when Kwadir Felton was shot in the head and blinded by a cop in Jersey City, New Jersey and then convicted of assault?
To put it bluntly, they don’t give a damn. Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee made this mealy mouthed statement about Alfred Wright’s murder.
“the Department of Justice will investigate and take appropriate action and will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into all the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and to take appropriate action necessary to vindicate the federal interest, protect the civil rights of all Americans, ensure that all persons receive equal justice under law.
We are all better off when the facts are discovered, the truth is discerned and the family and the community are at peace.”
If Jackson Lee cared at all she would have personally led a protest and an investigation in Sabine. Instead she speaks jibberish about federal civil rights prosecutions which never take place.
Black people are in very grave danger and in part because we won’t even say so. The predators are winning.
Black people are still being lynched at a rate of one every day. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement documented in a 2013 report, “Operation Ghetto Storm”, that a black person is the victim of an extra-judicial killing every 28 hours. We may hear the name of some of those individuals as in the case of Trayvon Martin, but he was joined by 300 other black people in 2012 whose names we didn’t know.
The killings are becoming more numerous and more brazen. Why else would Stand Your Ground laws exist, if not to give white racists permission to kill without fear of prosecution. Modern Day Lynching is the title of my most recent Black Agenda Report column. I wrote about the killings of brothers Carl and Garrick Hopkins in West Virginia and Mckenzie Cochran in Michigan and the brutal assaults on Darrin Manning in Pennsylvania and Charda Gregory in Michigan.
On the same day that my column appeared I learned of another horrific case. Alfred Wright was found dead in Sabine County, Texas. His throat was cut and his ear was cut off. If that is not a lynching I don’t know what is.
These murders are being committed in part because black people have stood down from their legacy of agitation and demands for justice. The crowning of a black prince/president just put the icing on the cake and silenced people who were always at the forefront of fighting for justice.
Where are the black elected officials? Where were they when Kwadir Felton was shot in the head and blinded by a cop in Jersey City, New Jersey and then convicted of assault?
To put it bluntly, they don’t give a damn. Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee made this mealy mouthed statement about Alfred Wright’s murder.
“the Department of Justice will investigate and take appropriate action and will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into all the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and to take appropriate action necessary to vindicate the federal interest, protect the civil rights of all Americans, ensure that all persons receive equal justice under law.
We are all better off when the facts are discovered, the truth is discerned and the family and the community are at peace.”
If Jackson Lee cared at all she would have personally led a protest and an investigation in Sabine. Instead she speaks jibberish about federal civil rights prosecutions which never take place.
Black people are in very grave danger and in part because we won’t even say so. The predators are winning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
