Jim Hightower Speaks at Rally to Save the American Dream - Austin, Texas

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MoveOn joined with the following individuals/groups (Van Jones, USAction/ TrueMajority, Color of Change, PCCC, CREDO, Democracy for America, National People's Action, Center for Community Change, Courage Campaign, and Progressive Majority) across the country to show our solidarity with the workers in Wisconsin. Republican Governor Walker is attempting to break the unions there, and other states with Republican governors will... be attempting the same strong-arm tactics if we don't stand up now.

The country needs to stand behind these heroic individuals demonstrating in Madison. The middle class is shrinking and we need to draw our line in the sand now. Republicans have no use for unions, especially ones that have the best interests of children and aged at heart.

This is a zgraphix production.
Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala.
http://austin.indymedia.org
http://zgraphix.org

Music from Rally to Save the American Dream - Austin, Texas

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MoveOn is joining with the following individuals/groups (Van Jones, USAction/ TrueMajority, Color of Change, PCCC, CREDO, Democracy for America, National People's Action, Center for Community Change, Courage Campaign, and Progressive Majority) across the country to show our solidarity with the workers in Wisconsin. Republican Governor Walker is attempting to break the unions there, and other states with Republican governors will... be attempting the same strong-arm tactics if we don't stand up now.

The country needs to stand behind these heroic individuals demonstrating in Madison. The middle class is shrinking and we need to draw our line in the sand now. Republicans have no use for unions, especially ones that have the best interests of children and aged at heart.

On that same day at the Capitol, we'll be following the March and Rally protesting "Arizona-type" anti-immigration legislation. If you are going to attend that, hopefully, you'll stay around for our rally. Bring your cameras as we show Wisconsinites that we are with them fully.

This is a zgraphix production.
Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala.
http://austin.indymedia.org
http://zgraphix.org

Rally to Save the American Dream - Austin, Texas

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MoveOn is joining with the following individuals/groups (Van Jones, USAction/ TrueMajority, Color of Change, PCCC, CREDO, Democracy for America, National People's Action, Center for Community Change, Courage Campaign, and Progressive Majority) across the country to show our solidarity with the workers in Wisconsin. Republican Governor Walker is attempting to break the unions there, and other states with Republican governors will... be attempting the same strong-arm tactics if we don't stand up now.

The country needs to stand behind these heroic individuals demonstrating in Madison. The middle class is shrinking and we need to draw our line in the sand now. Republicans have no use for unions, especially ones that have the best interests of children and aged at heart.

On that same day at the Capitol, we'll be following the March and Rally protesting "Arizona-type" anti-immigration legislation. If you are going to attend that, hopefully, you'll stay around for our rally. Bring your cameras as we show Wisconsinites that we are with them fully.

This is a zgraphix production.
Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala.
http://austin.indymedia.org
http://zgraphix.org

Tim Wise speaks on illusions of “post-racial” politics

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Tim Wise, http://www.timwise.org/, has emerged over the past decade as one of the most eloquent and forceful white people speaking for racial justice. He is the author of five books, including the 2010 Color Blind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity. Wise is a frequent speaker on campuses across the country and a regular commentator in mainstream media, including this interview on Tavis Smileys ...PBS show, http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/201008/20100812.html. Wises other books include: Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama; White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son; Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White; and Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male.A panel after the lecture will feature Austin activists who will respond to Wises remarks and describe local efforts to build a more just society.Donations for this event will benefit 5604 Manor, a progressive community center, http://5604manor.org/. The event is sponsored by St. James Episcopal Church, http://www.stjamesaustin.org/St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, http://staopen.com/and the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/index.phpFilmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavalahttp://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org

Austin Immigrants Rights March ft. Rebel Diaz - Which Side Are You On

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Protesting more than 60 "anti-immigrant" bills filed in the Texas Legislature this session, thousands marched from Waterloo Park to the steps of the state Capitol Tuesday.

"We expect two or three thousand people from all over Texas," said Victor Ibarra.

Ibarra was among a group from Houston, just one of many cities with protestors bused in from across the state. A separate group also marched from The University of Texas . The marches culminated in a rally outside the Capitol at 1 p.m.

During this session, the marchers said a handful of "extemist" legislators have filed needlessly discriminating legislation aimed at the Hispanic population.

"Texas has a lot of variety of nationalities," said Ibarra. "Those proposed laws don't go with those situations."Critics say many of those bills hurt, even target Hispanics, legal or otherwise. Lawmakers like Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, have maintained their stance though.

"We have probably the laxest immigration law in the world, because we're not following our federal laws," said Berman, who also said he has filed ten anti-immigration bills, including one to make English the official language of Texas. "We're giving them free education, free health care, we're giving them in-state tuition."From Arizona-style immigration enforcement to forcing schools to report undocumented students, people at the rally fear the future, saying Texas is just making it too tough to live here.

"We want to follow the law - U.S. law," said Ibarra.

Photography by Rene Renteria
http://renerenteria.com

Produced by Jeffry Zavala.
This is a zgraphix production.
http://zgraphix.org

A Day of Action for Immigrant Integration and Community Security

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Protesting more than 60 "anti-immigrant" bills filed in the Texas Legislature this session, thousands marched from Waterloo Park to the steps of the state Capitol Tuesday.

"We expect two or three thousand people from all over Texas," said Victor Ibarra.

Ibarra was among a group from Houston, just one of many cities with protestors bused in from across the state. A separate group also marched from The University of Texas . The marches culminated in a rally outside the Capitol at 1 p.m.

During this session, the marchers said a handful of "extemist" legislators have filed needlessly discriminating legislation aimed at the Hispanic population.

"Texas has a lot of variety of nationalities," said Ibarra. "Those proposed laws don't go with those situations."Critics say many of those bills hurt, even target Hispanics, legal or otherwise. Lawmakers like Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, have maintained their stance though.

"We have probably the laxest immigration law in the world, because we're not following our federal laws," said Berman, who also said he has filed ten anti-immigration bills, including one to make English the official language of Texas. "We're giving them free education, free health care, we're giving them in-state tuition."From Arizona-style immigration enforcement to forcing schools to report undocumented students, people at the rally fear the future, saying Texas is just making it too tough to live here.

"We want to follow the law - U.S. law," said Ibarra.

Produced by Jeffry Zavala.
This is a zgraphix production.
http://zgraphix.org

Jason Brownlee - Democracy, Diplomacy, and U.S. Interests in Egypt

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UT government professor Jason Brownlee ;will discuss the implications of the events unfolding in

Jan 25 - Omar Offendum, The Narcicyst, Freeway, Amir Sulaiman & Ayah

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Inspired by the resilience of Egyptian people during their recent uprising, several notable musicians from North America have teamed up to release a song of solidarity and empowerment. The track is fittingly titled "#Jan25" as a reference to both the date the protests officially began in Egypt, and its prominence as a trending topic on Twitter. Produced by Sami Matar, a Palestinian-American composer from Southern California, and featuring the likes of Freeway, The Narcicyst, Omar Offendum, HBO Def Poet Amir Sulaiman, and Canadian R&B vocalist Ayah - this track serves as a testament to the revolution's effect on the hearts and minds of today's youth, and the spirit of resistance it has come to symbolize for oppressed people worldwide.

Artist Information:
Omar Offendum (MC #1) - http://twitter.com/Offendum
The Narcicyst (MC #2) - http://twitter.com/TheNarcicyst
Freeway (MC #3) - http://twitter.com/PhillyFreezer
Amir Sulaiman (MC #4) http://twitter.com/AmirSulaiman
Ayah (R&B Vocalist) - http://twitter.com/AyahMusic
Sami Matar (Producer) - http://twitter.com/SamiMatar
Artwork by Ridwan Adhami http://www.ridzdesign.com
Blamethelabel - http://twitter.com/blamethelabel

Mp3 download link: http://www.usershare.net/6cjtbiapu5y8

"First they ignore you Then they laugh at youThen they fight youThen you WIN"- Ghandi
OMAR OFFENDUM:
I heard em say ;The revolution wont be televisedAljazeera proved em wrongTwitter has him paralyzed

Robert Jensen on - The Anguish in the American Dream

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As we cope with downturns in American power in the world and the American economy at home, ;there is much talk about reviving, renewing, rescuing, or redefining the American Dream. We would be

Austin Stands with the Egyptian Revolution - March in Solidarity

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Friday, 11 Feb 2011. Its 18 days that changed the history of a country Roy Casagranda cares deeply about.

Its unimaginable and I have a feeling it will take a long time for it to set in, to realize that this guy [ President Hosni Mubarak ] is really, really gone, said Casagranda.

Casagranda, a political science professor at Austin Community College returned from visiting family in Egypt just days before the uprising started.

I wanted to be there, he said.

During the uprising Casagranda kept in touch with family and friends in Egypt mainly via Facebook and Skype.

My younger relatives are unbelievably excited and they cant believe this guy is finally gone, he said.

Over at The University of Texas , Milad Pournik, a graduate student from Iran, remembers the feeling he got from Egyptians when he lived there last year working at the United Nations.

When I was living there, I felt people were unhappy, Pournik said.

Pourniks parents still live in Cairo, but were evacuated by the UN to Greece. Pournik hopes the Egyptian revolution will be contagious across the Middle East.

I really hope this is not just a victory for Egypt, but a victory for freedom and the progress toward more representation and true democracies throughout the region and throughout the world, Pournik said.

Back at ACC, Casagranda said he cant wait to return to Egypt to see his family and to see what life is like after Mubarak.

I have a feeling that I am going to go back to a country where Egyptians feel good about themselves and are proud about who they are, Casgranda said.

Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeffry Zavala
http://zgraphix.org
http://austin.indymedia.org

Austin Stands with the Egyptian Revolution - Activist Analysis from Michael & Mike

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Friday, 11 Feb 2011. It's 18 days that changed the history of a country Roy Casagranda cares deeply about.

"It's unimaginable and I have a feeling it will take a long time for it to set in, to realize that this guy [ President Hosni Mubarak ] is really, really gone, said Casagranda.

Casagranda, a political science professor at Austin Community College returned from visiting family in Egypt just days before the uprising started.

I wanted to be there, he said.

During the uprising Casagranda kept in touch with family and friends in Egypt mainly via Facebook and Skype.

My younger relatives are unbelievably excited and they cant believe this guy is finally gone, he said.

Over at The University of Texas , Milad Pournik, a graduate student from Iran, remembers the feeling he got from Egyptians when he lived there last year working at the United Nations.

When I was living there, I felt people were unhappy, Pournik said.

Pourniks parents still live in Cairo, but were evacuated by the UN to Greece. Pournik hopes the Egyptian revolution will be contagious across the Middle East.

I really hope this is not just a victory for Egypt, but a victory for freedom and the progress toward more representation and true democracies throughout the region and throughout the world, Pournik said.

Back at ACC, Casagranda said he cant wait to return to Egypt to see his family and to see what life is like after Mubarak.

I have a feeling that I am going to go back to a country where Egyptians feel good about themselves and are proud about who they are, Casgranda said.

Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeffry Zavala
http://zgraphix.org
http://austin.indymedia.org

Austin Stands with the Egyptian Revolution - Activist Analysis from Michael & Mike

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Friday, 11 Feb 2011. Its 18 days that changed the history of a country Roy Casagranda cares deeply about.

Its unimaginable and I have a feeling it will take a long time for it to set in, to realize that this guy [ President Hosni Mubarak ] is really, really gone, said Casagranda.

Casagranda, a political science professor at Austin Community College returned from visiting family in Egypt just days before the uprising started.

I wanted to be there, he said.

During the uprising Casagranda kept in touch with family and friends in Egypt mainly via Facebook and Skype.

My younger relatives are unbelievably excited and they cant believe this guy is finally gone, he said.

Over at The University of Texas , Milad Pournik, a graduate student from Iran, remembers the feeling he got from Egyptians when he lived there last year working at the United Nations.

When I was living there, I felt people were unhappy, Pournik said.

Pourniks parents still live in Cairo, but were evacuated by the UN to Greece. Pournik hopes the Egyptian revolution will be contagious across the Middle East.

I really hope this is not just a victory for Egypt, but a victory for freedom and the progress toward more representation and true democracies throughout the region and throughout the world, Pournik said.

Back at ACC, Casagranda said he cant wait to return to Egypt to see his family and to see what life is like after Mubarak.

I have a feeling that I am going to go back to a country where Egyptians feel good about themselves and are proud about who they are, Casgranda said.

Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeffry Zavala
http://zgraphix.org
http://austin.indymedia.org

Austin Stands with the Egyptian Revolution - Austin Stands with the Egyptian Revolution Activist Analysis from Roy & Ramsey

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Friday, 11 Feb 2011. Its 18 days that changed the history of a country Roy Casagranda cares deeply about.

Its unimaginable and I have a feeling it will take a long time for it to set in, to realize that this guy [ President Hosni Mubarak ] is really, really gone, said Casagranda.

Casagranda, a political science professor at Austin Community College returned from visiting family in Egypt just days before the uprising started.

I wanted to be there, he said.

During the uprising Casagranda kept in touch with family and friends in Egypt mainly via Facebook and Skype.

My younger relatives are unbelievably excited and they cant believe this guy is finally gone, he said.

Over at The University of Texas , Milad Pournik, a graduate student from Iran, remembers the feeling he got from Egyptians when he lived there last year working at the United Nations.

When I was living there, I felt people were unhappy, Pournik said.

Pourniks parents still live in Cairo, but were evacuated by the UN to Greece. Pournik hopes the Egyptian revolution will be contagious across the Middle East.

I really hope this is not just a victory for Egypt, but a victory for freedom and the progress toward more representation and true democracies throughout the region and throughout the world, Pournik said.

Back at ACC, Casagranda said he cant wait to return to Egypt to see his family and to see what life is like after Mubarak.

I have a feeling that I am going to go back to a country where Egyptians feel good about themselves and are proud about who they are, Casgranda said.

Ramsey quotes Immortal Technique in his song "4th Branch"
Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeffry Zavala
http://zgraphix.org
http://austin.indymedia.org

Robert McChesney - A Last Sunday Special Event

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Robert W. McChesney, the Gutgsell Endowed Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is one of the countrys leading scholars of mass media and critics of the failures of our commercial media system. In this lecture he will discuss his most recent book, written with John Nichols, is The Death and Life of American Journalism: The Media Revolution that Will Begin the World Again, which offers strategies for expanding the democratic potential of media in the digital age. In addition to his groundbreaking research and writing, McChesney is the co-founder of Free Press, the national media reform organization, http://www.freepress.net/. He also hosts the Media Matters weekly radio program every Sunday afternoon on WILL-AM, http://will.illinois.edu/mediamatters/ McChesney has written or edited 17 books, including Telecommunications, Mass Media, and Democracy: The Battle for the Control of U.S. Broadcasting, 1928-1935; Corporate Media and the Threat to Democracy; The Global Media: The New Missionaries of Corporate Capitalism (with Edward S. Herman); Our Media, Not Theirs (with John Nichols); Rich Media, Poor Democracy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times; The Problem of the Media: U.S. Communication Politics in the Twenty-First Century; and Tragedy & Farce: How the American Media Sell Wars, Spin Elections and Destroy Democracy (with John Nichols). The suggested $10 donation at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) will benefit 5604 Manor, the new progressive community center launched by the Third Coast Activist Resource Center and Workers Defense Project. Filmed, Edited & Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala http://austin.indymedia.org http://zgraphix.org

Clashes break out in Tahrir Square, Egypt 2.2.2011

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Toll mounts as pro-democracy supporters apparently come under attack from Mubarak loyalists in the Egyptian capital.

Heavy gunfire is being heard in Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square as pro-democracy demonstrators continue to defy curfew in the Egyptian capital. Ambulances were seen heading to the area on Thursday morning and ;at least two