With the Thanksgiving holiday here, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the workers who process and pack the turkeys that so many of us will consume. When I drive through the state of Iowa and all across … Continued
Immigrant Workers
How International Rescue Community’s New Roots Program is Empowering Immigrant Communities
by Lindsey George A recent New York Times article, “When the Uprooted Put Down Roots,” discusses the success of New Roots, a nationwide program launched by the International Rescue Community (IRC) that helps immigrants and refugees establish community gardens, farmers’ … Continued
Bullying in the Work Place & in Our Schools: the Same Problem
Bulling is an obvious problem in this nation, one that’s receiving more and more serious attention in recent times. Young Jamey Rodemeyer, for example, took his life because some other cruel boys were ruthlessly mocking him for his sexual orientation. … Continued
Tanton Network’s Bigoted “Jobs Rally” in Michigan Met with Stern Opposition
A handful of anti-immigrant movement heavyweights came out in full force on Tuesday, September 13, to show their support for a Tanton Network “Jobs Rally.” Some of the usual suspects spoke out in favor of E-Verify, as some “special” guests … Continued
Resistance among Rotting Crops in Georgia (Part 2)
By Lupita Aguila Arteaga, Washington, DC Photo Credit: Rúben Castilla Herrera The GLAHR offices were filled with native Georgians and people from all corners of the country. Some were working on art work and banners for the march, others were … Continued
Immigration
We Must Work to Advance Justice for All
A couple weeks ago, over 600 activists, organizers, immigrant workers, faith leaders, youth and community elders descended upon Arlington, Virginia for the “Turning the Tide” National Summit. They came from across the country to this second gathering determined to stem … Continued
Immigration
I-9 Verification, riddled with errors, continues to hurt American workers
In 2005, the US initiated the I-9 verification program for employers. The I-9 Form is used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify an employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. Mandatory verification is not good … Continued
Immigration
Meatpacking workers ready for struggle in 2011
It has been about 30 years since the turkey plants began to open in the Iowa and other parts of the rural Midwest. The location was ideal for corporations. After breaking up the labor unions in places like Chicago and … Continued
Food Justice
Acts of Resistance and Hope, Breaking the Barriers of Power
In a restaurant in a small Midwest town last week three workers got fired for standing up for a new employee promised one salary and given significantly less after his first week on the job. They took the injustice to … Continued
Food Justice
Improve working conditions for those who bring you your turkey
Originally published by The Progressive Media Project on November 22, 2010. Before you carve into your Thanksgiving turkey, please pause to reflect on the workers who brought the holiday feast to your table. After twenty-one years of grueling, hard labor … Continued