CodePink Austin, along with other friends and supporters of the U.S. Boat to Gaza, held a symbolic "launch" on the Pfluger Bridge over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Participants read excerpts from writings by Alice Walker and Kathy Kelly and the letter... to President Obama regarding the reasons for the trip to Gaza. Austin citizens were asked to stop and write messages to the passengers and participate in other symbolic actions. This event took place on June 26th, 2011. Organized by CodePink Austin (http://www.codepinkaustin.com). To learn more about the voyage please visit: http://ustogaza.org/ To read about US activists who prepare to break Israels blockade on Gaza, please visit: http://electronicintifada.net/content/us-activists-prepare-break-israels-blockade-gaza/10070 Video produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala. This is a ZGraphix production. http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Music from World Refugee Day March & Rally in Austin, TX 2011
This video contains live Son Jarocho music from June 20th 2011; which was World Refugee Day, and it also marked a lengthy discussion at the Texas Capitol on Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 9, both immigration bills left pending in committee. Outside the Capitol building, civil rights and immigration rights groups marched in opposition of those two bills and in opposition of an immigrant detention center being built outside San Antonio. The march was organized by Texans United for Families, but the immigration bills have stirred up plenty of controversy. Other organizations joined the march including PODER, Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, American Gateways, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Detention Watch Network, Grassroots Leadership, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Jail Project, Texans United for Families, San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement, Save Our Youth, Southwest Workers Union, Wilco Justice Alliance and Workers Defense Project. To learn more about the movement and the detention center to be built outside San Antonio in Karnes, check out the Grassroots Leadership website (http://www.grassrootsleadership.org/). This video is a ZGraphix production. Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala. http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
World Refugee Day March & Rally in Austin, TX 2011
June 20 was World Refugee Day, and it also marked a lengthy discussion at the Texas Capitol on Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 9, both immigration bills left pending in committee. Outside the Capitol building, civil rights and immigration rights groups marched in opposition of those two bills and in opposition of an immigrant detention center being built outside San Antonio. The march was organized by Texans United for Families, but the immigration bills have stirred up plenty of controversy. Other organizations joined the march including PODER, Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, American Gateways, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Detention Watch Network, Grassroots Leadership, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Jail Project, Texans United for Families, San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement, Save Our Youth, Southwest Workers Union, Wilco Justice Alliance and Workers Defense Project. To learn more about the movement and the detention center to be built outside San Antonio in Karnes, check out the Grassroots Leadership website (http://www.grassrootsleadership.org). This video is a ZGraphix production. Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala. http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Anti-SB9 Rally in Austin Texas Hosted by R.I.T.A (Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance)
Senate Dems:SB 9 Passage is about Fear & Politics by MELISSA DEL BOSQUE Published on: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 After 9 hours of testimony Tuesday by Senate Democrats against SB 9, the controversial immigration bill passed anyway along a party-line vote. Its pretty certain SB 9 will pass just as readily in the House, with a Republican supermajority that already voted out the controversial sanctuary cities immigration legislation during the regular session. So at this point we have to ask what are the Republicans thinking? In a state with a 38 percent Latino population and growing, Bushs brain Karl Rove must be feeling dyspeptic right about now. All those George W. years of the Republican party making inroads with the Hispanic community in Texas only to have it obliterated by some poorly crafted Arizona-immigration style pandering. For you lucky readers who have a life outside of the Legislative dome, SB 9, incorporates the prohibition of sanctuary cities language from the regular session with a mandate that Texas use the federal program Secure Communities which places federal agents in county and city jails to check for citizenship. (Texas already uses Secure Communities in every county in the state, but oh well.) SB 9 also makes it law that DPS clerks check for citizenship status before granting a drivers license. The most controversial portion of SB 9 is the language banning so called sanctuary cities. In these mystical Texas sanctuary cities illegal immigrants run amuck doing whatever they please. Except, that throughout the six months this legislation has been debated, Republicans pushing the bill have been unable to name a single sanctuary city. But who needs facts when the 2012 presidential election is just around the corner? Forget Texas' multi-billion dollar budget shortfall, the public school crisis or crippling healthcare cuts Governor Rick Perry deemed it a legislative emergency to ban sanctuary cities. Longtime Austin political reporter Harvey Kronberg summed up Perrys naked political ambitions in an op ed piece in Quorum Report: Governor Perry needs a non-Arizona style Arizona bill for his non-campaign campaign. Passing the bill also wouldnt hurt Lt. Governor David Dewhursts chances in the Republican primary, he noted. And lets be clear thats what this is all about politics. Police chiefs from every major city across the state, a wide swath of the religious community, business owners and countless other Texans testified against the bill but to no avail. Texas Republicans want to pass SB 9 and they have the numbers to do it. And its the people of color in Texas who will pay the price. With the passage of SB 9, Texas citizens of color will have to prove their U.S. citizenship to law enforcement a burden that Texas Anglo citizens wont have to bear. During the course of the debate, Democratic Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa offered an amendment to the bill, which Williams accepted, that should soften the blow. It requires that the exchange between police and citizens be consistent with DPS policy. The policy is that a police officer can't pull someone over or search a business or residence to check immigration status unless requested as back up by a federal immigration officer. Close to midnight one Hispanic senator after another rose to speak against the passage of SB 9 even though they didnt have the numbers to prevent it from passing. At times they got emotional. Laredo Senator Judith Zaffirini exhorted the Anglo Republican senators to vote against the bill. Voting for SB 9 will cause you to discriminate against us, she said. Senator Carlos Uresti who represents two-thirds of the border said This bill strikes at the heart and soul of Latinos of Texas. Brownsville Senator Eddie Lucio called the passage of SB 9 the lowest point in his 24-year career as a legislator. Senator Jose Rodriguez of El Paso pointed out that at a time when Hispanics are making a mark as the fastest growing population and future workforce the Senate is passing a law that threatens that progress and harms not only their prosperity but Texas as well. But their passionate speeches didn't budge SB 9's supporters. Republican Senators Bob Deuell and Steve Ogden spoke in support of the bill. Ogden said most of the complaints about the bill sounded preposterous to him. "Law enforcement is not going to go out and hassle people," he said. Deuell said he was an optimist and that the bill will not bring out the worst in Texas. "Some of us are uncomfortable but we are going to vote for this bill anyway," he said. And with that the bill passed along a party-line vote. If the passage of SB 9 isnt a wake up call for Texas Latinos and other minority communities to start voting I dont know what is. Video Production by Jeff Zavala. A ZGraphix/Austin Indymedia production. http://zgraphix.org
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Builder of 21Rio Partners with Workers Defense Project to Protect Workers
It has been almost two years since three construction workers died while building the 21 Rio complex in West Campus. Now, the company that subcontracted some of that crew is partnering with the Workers Defense Project to raise awareness about employee safety. The three men who died at 21 Rio were employed by American Mast Climbers, a company subcontracted by Maxum Development. Investigators say faulty scaffolding led to the workers death in June of 2009. It's reported the crew was forced to work more than 60 a hours week applying stucco to the building, which is now an apartment complex."They not only worked long hours, but were forced to work in hazardous working conditions without workers compensation or rest breaks, Director of the Workers Defense Project, Christina Tzintzun, said. They were even illegally charged for their safety equipment."This past April, a judge forced the contractor to pay $15 million to the victims' families, and Maxum Development dropped American Mast Climbers from all of its projects. In addition, Maxum plans to improve communication at construction sites and increase safety inspections and training."We are trying to build a repertoire with the workers to make these projects flow better, safer and work better as a team," Gary Perkins with Maxum Development said. Maxum's Gary Perkins signed an agreement Thursday with Workers Defense Project, promising those construction site improvements."I think many construction workers that already work in Texas are sometimes even afraid to go out every day to do their jobs, Tzintzun said. I think we need an industry where people--at the end of each work day--know that they can go home safely to their families."As Austins skyline continues to change and urban development moves forward, the Workers Defense Project hopes other companies will follow Maxums lead.Last fall, Austin City Council adopted an ordinance requiring workers to take breaks every four hours. The mandate also requires contractors to have drinking water available on site.Construction rights advocates still say there is still much to tackle in terms of safety. Just this past Tuesday, a teenager was hospitalized after suffering a severe heat stroke on a construction site. He told investigators he did not take any breaks and was not drinking enough water.This is a ZGraphix Production.Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala.http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Anti-Groping Rally in Austin Against TSA's Total Sexual Assault
Texas citizens of all political stripes gathered to rally in support of the 4th Amendment and the Right to Travel Freely and with Dignity. Texas must set an example and lead the USA in resistance to the abuses of government exemplified by the Gestapo Grope-Fest being perpetrated by via the TSA. It's a Total Sexual Assault against Liberty and Freedom. Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala. A ZGraphix Production. http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
Save Texas Schools Protest Inside Capitol 6/4/11
ON Saturday June 6th 2011 More than 200 teachers and parents protested against state cuts in school funding in a gathering at the rotunda of the Texas Capitol on Monday. They lined the hallway leading to the House chamber as lawmakers arrived for a brief floor session, waving placards and singing a song that ended with, "We will vote you out." The protest organized by the American Federation of Teachers was intended to pressure lawmakers to alter their plan to cut $4 billion from the state's obligation to school districts. Public education in Texas is paid for with state-collected sales and business taxes and local property taxes. State Republican leaders and the Republican-controlled Legislature have chosen to close a $27 billion budget shortfall mostly through cutting state services. They tapped $3.2 billion of the state's nearly $10 billion Rainy Day Fund to cover a deficit in the current budget, but lawmakers chose not to use it any further. Chanting "Spend the Rainy Day Fund," the teachers and parents protesting Monday oppose firing teachers and closing schools, which will be necessary if the new school finance plan becomes law. The Senate passed the bill on Friday and the House is expected to take it up on Thursday. If the House does not modify the legislation, it will then go to the governor. The bill is necessary to balance the state budget. Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Teachers-stage-new-demonstration-over-school-cuts-1411093.php#ixzz1OXJ89dhl To learn more visit: http://www.savetxschools.org Produced for Austin Indymedia by Jeff Zavala. A ZGraphix production. http://zgraphix.org http://austin.indymedia.org
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Thomas Jefferson Dance Party in Austin & Police Violation of U.S. Law
June 4, 2011 Austin Activists join forces to form a solidarity dance party in the Texas State Capitol Building, exercising their constitutional rights when the Capitol Police harass and use unreasonable force against free press reporters. The police also refused to help a victim of assault. Facebook event invite: May 28 2011 Adam Kokesh and friends were wrongly assaulted and arrested at the Jefferson Memorial for dancing. They will be back out next weekend and here in Austin we are planning a similar event in solidarity. Come out and dance to make people aware of the recent ruling making it "illegal" to dance at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. and also the brutality of police against peaceful protesters on May 28, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jUU3yCy3uI&feature=youtu.be *Suggested rules (but we don't need any rules to dance)**** -Leave political signs affiliated with political parties at home -Bring MP3 player and headphones -Bring Smiles, good cheer and have fun! -And remember WE CAN DANCE IF WE WANT TO! Dancing is a healthy and elegant exercise, a specific against social awkwardness. ~Thomas Jefferson. This is a zgraphix production. Produced by Jeff Zavala. http://zgraphix.org
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fairouz performs 3 beautiful songs
Nouhad Wadi Haddad (Arabic: ) (born November 21, 1935), famously known as Fairuz (Arabic: , also spelled Fairouz or Fayrouz) is a Lebanese singer who is widely considered to be the most famous living singer in the Arab world and one of the best known of all time. Her songs are constantly heard throughout the region, and still spark Lebanese national pride. She was born in Jabal al Arz (Cedar Mountain) to a Maronite Christian family. She is of the Greek Orthodox faith, having converted when she married Assi Rahbani, one of the two brothers who helped shape her singing career. She is also the mother of the Lebanese singer and composer Ziad Rahbani and the Lebanese director and photographer Rima Rahbani. She was first noticed at the International Festival of Baalbek, where she performed many of her songs. She became famous after appearing on the "Lebanese Nights" part of the festival for many successive years. Fairuz is commonly known as "Ambassador to the Stars" and "Neighbor to the Moon".
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