The Acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Murder of Trayvon Martin re-Energizes the Movement to End Racial Profiling

 

On Saturday night, July 13, 2013, you could hear the people next to you breathing as thousands of civil rights leaders huddled together listening to the court verdict of the George Zimmerman trial.

Not Guilty.

On the night of the verdict—at first there was silence, then tears, then anger that could only yield by taking action.  Action fueled by a renewed commitment to end racial profiling based on the color of their skin, the clothes they wear, or the visual signifier of their religion.Continue reading “The Acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Murder of Trayvon Martin re-Energizes the Movement to End Racial Profiling”

WITH WALL STREET “TOO BIG TO FAIL,” IS MAIN STREET “TOO SMALL TO PREVAIL”?

Small business forum adds Main Street voice to growing momentum for megabank limits

Today, small businesses owners from across the country added a Main Street voice to growing momentum for post-Dodd-Frank measures to end the era of “Too Big to Fail” banking in the lingering wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession that followed.

At a D.C. policy forum organized by the Main Street Alliance, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), FDIC Vice Chairman Thomas Hoenig, economist Simon Johnson, and a panel of small business owners and policy experts each spoke of the need for renewed attention to megabank limits in order to stabilize the financial system and support the Main Street economy.Continue reading “WITH WALL STREET “TOO BIG TO FAIL,” IS MAIN STREET “TOO SMALL TO PREVAIL”?”

Good Medicine: Better Rx Policies Addressed with Senate

Grassroots delegates from 10 states joined Senator Rockefeller’s office to host a town hall today at the Capitol Senate Budget Committee Room. Also supported by Budget Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray’s office, the town hall was held to address health disparities, the national budget and specifically the importance of the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings Act.

Citing austerity economics and the push for a “Grand Bargain” as key factors in efforts to cut Americans from receiving benefits through Medicare and Medicaid, The Alliance for a Just Society set the stage for the discussion. “There are cost savings options available to the American people—that make pharmaceutical companies responsible for paying their own fair share and stop the handout of taxpayer dollars to supersize corporate profits, “ Mauricio Ayon Political Director of Washington Community Action Network and a member of the Alliance.Continue reading “Good Medicine: Better Rx Policies Addressed with Senate”

The Alliance Takes DC: #justice2013 National Conference Ignites

Bringing together friends and affiliates from around the country, the first national conference kicked off with three separate actions in Washington DC. #justice2013. 150 people from more than 10 states engaged Senators and Representatives on a message of equality and inclusion on issues as diverse as brewing up the big banks, healthcare and keeping families united with comprehensive immigration reform– it seemed more than a typical day at the Alliance.

The following updates will show just how inspiring it is to work with such a diverse, dedicated coalition of people united in one mission of a more just, a more fair, a more compassionate society.

If higher education is an investment we claim to believe in — then why does it take 30 years to pay off?

More than 37 million Americans are saddled with student loans — nearly one in five households. We glorified higher education for an entire generation, enabled an unsustainable system, and then blamed graduates for their choices.Student-loan-debt-growing

While some sectors of the economy have begun to see a recovery, student loan borrowers are watching their hopes of attaining the American Dream fade away.Continue reading “If higher education is an investment we claim to believe in — then why does it take 30 years to pay off?”

The Long Journey for Immigration Reform

Last week, “approximately 140 people, ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old, walked various distances along the 30-mile road from Wilder to Meridian raising awareness for the number of families affected by a lack of immigration reform. Along the way walkers said they celebrated their struggle for citizenship in the presence of family, BOH6MT6CcAAfI3r.jpg_largefriends and the community.” (Boise Weekly) Continue reading “The Long Journey for Immigration Reform”

Small Business Groups Continue to Press Case for Economy-Boosting Immigration Reform

As the debate about immigration reform moves from the Senate, which passed a comprehensive reform package (S. 744) on June 27, to the House of Representatives, small business groups across the country are continuing to make the case for common sense, economy-boosting immigration reform.
Continue reading “Small Business Groups Continue to Press Case for Economy-Boosting Immigration Reform”

Institute for Pragmatic Practice – 2013 Symposium

The Institute for Pragmatic Practice (IPP) gathers key thinkers and leaders concerned with pressing public policy issues. Together, they develop innovative ideas and solutions to help make our society more just and equitable. We host one symposium every 6-12 months.

IPP develops research, analysis, strategic thinking, and tools to spark positive public dialogue on pressing public policy issues. IPP’s key thinkers draw from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to develop innovative ideas and solutions.

Staff

Danisha Christian: danisha@allianceforajustsociety.org
Sheley Secrest: sheley@allianceforajustsociety.org

SAVE THE DATE! October 17-19 2013

Posted on June 3, 2013 by rahoolji Leave a comment
SAVE THE DATE!

October 17-19 2013 – New York City

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The Alliance for a Just Society and the Union Theological Seminary bring you the fifth Institute for Pragmatic Practice symposium,

Cellblocks and Border Stops: Transformative Activism in an Age of Dehumanization.

Confirmed speakers include: Cornell West, John Powell, Pramila Jayapal

Join us to deepen and strengthen the relationships between organizing around criminal justice and immigration; develop a shared analysis of the role of race, dehumanization and disposability within both immigration control and mass incarceration; and identify new organizing opportunities and initiatives in these areas centered on personhood and racial justice.

Themes include: Beyond Punishment, Transformational Engagement; Capitalism, Neoliberalism and Control; Attacks on Families of Color.What Does the Militarization of Police and Increased Enforcement Mean for Our Work?

Registration begins August 15th

Cover art: Ink Fingerprint Drawings

“Thinking about a medium in which to express the subject of prison and injustice, I came across a medium that is familiar to all prisoners: fingerprints. We are fingerprinted from arrest to release and are assured that nobody else will have the same mark. What better way to draw than to use those same distinguishable marks? All [these] drawings I have done soley with my right thumb, index finger, and/or stencils: no pen, no brush, no pencil, no marker. Most of them I have donated , or will donate, to several non-profit organizations that serve the prison population. Want to verify my identity? Take these drawings to the nearest precinct!” – Denis Martinez, Sing Sing Prisoner

The symposium is co-sponsored by and will be held at the Union Theological Seminary, New York City October 17-19 2013

Big Pharma gets slapped by SCOTUS– What does it mean for the American taxpayer?

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Click here to Sign Our National Petition to Save Medicare Benefits

The Supreme Court in the Spotlight Again!? Really? Actually, this one kicked off last week’s “Week in SCOTUS”, coinciding with their 5th Circuit kick down on  Affirmative Action in Texas, and predates both the DOMA and Voting Rights decisions.Continue reading “Big Pharma gets slapped by SCOTUS– What does it mean for the American taxpayer?”