May 1 -A Day Without Immigrants - White shirts and arm bands were seen all over town showing support for immigrants and comprehensive immigration reform. Several businesses closed in support, while others made due. The Central Indiana Justice for Immigrants Coalition wishes to thank everyone who has been supportive as well as all those who participated.
April 22 - 2006 Earth Day Indiana Festival! - The 15th Annual Festival was held from 11am - 4pm at Veterans Memorial Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. It was a great festival, great weather and great people. Thanks to everyone who helped out, including Indiana Alliance for Democracy and North Meadow Circle of Friends. For more information about Earth Day Indiana you can visit their website.
Monday, April 10 - March for Immigrant Justice - The March was exceptional. The local news speculated that this was Indy's largest march ever. There were no incidents of violence and only 1 ticket written. There was very little trash and no destruction of property. Thanks to everyone involved in putting this together and to all the participants.
April 7-9 - Second Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit - What a success! Congratulations to the event organizers. A special thank you to everyone who participated in the JwJ panel and to everyone that stopped by the panel and our table. The organizers have promised an update on their website about all the presentations and presenters for those of you who wanted to see more than time allowed. You will be able to find the information at the SAGE website .
March 24 - President Bush was in Indianapolis . He appeared at a $1,000-a-plate luncheon and $10,000-a-ticket reception to raise money for Rep. Mike Sodrel, a Republican from New Albany. Bush arrived in Indy around 2:30 PM, however protestors were lined up on the sidewalks at 11:00 AM. Many people showed up carrying signs bearing various messages. There were many food donations made by the protestors and it was delivered to Scott United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Everyone involved in the Blue Plate Special Coalition wishes to thank everyone who showed up, brought food donations, ACLU observers, and all the photographers and videographers.
March 23 - International Guitar Duo Judy Handler and Mark Levesque performed a benefit concert at All Souls Unitarian Church. The concert was a success. It featured excellent music and very nice reception where attendees were able to talk to both musicians. Judy and Mark were very entertaining and gracious. Hopefully, they will come back and see us again. If you would like to preview their music or order a CD click here www.judyandmark.com
February 28 - Right to Work Amendment Defeated - While the Governor was shaking hands and sharing smiles with the union members who supported his 'Major Moves' toll road lease bill, Republican Representative Cindy Noe was filing an amendment that would doom Indiana's unions. Thankfully, 18 Republicans and all 47 Democrats on the floor realized that biting the hand that feeds, or in this case supports you was probably unwise and voted against the amendment.
February 23 - St. Joe Valley JwJ hosted a rally and informational picket during President Bush's fundraising luncheon for Rep. Chris Chocola. 400-500 people showed up and lined the street the President used to enter Bethel College, the site of the $500 a plate luncheon. It has been reported that President Bush told the Mayor of Mishawaka that the roads needed repair. No one is quite sure whether the President was referring to the potholes or the protestors.
February 2 - Indiana House Bill 1383 was defeated on third reading by the Indiana House. Central Indiana JwJ wishes to thank all the Legislators who voted against this bill and all the citizens who testified against this bill in committee and were at the Statehouse to tell their Representatives to vote no. A special thanks goes out to the many Representatives who testified against this bill during debate, especially Representative Mike Murphy, who's calm, but passionate speech might possibly be the one that turned the vote into such an overwhelming defeat. To view this speech, click on this link to the Indiana House Video Archive , pick Feb. 2, and scroll about 7 1/2 hours into the debate.
Wal-Mart Holiday Events in Review - Wal-Mart Report click here...
National Jobs with Justice Announces - Wal-Mart Wins "Grinch of the Year" for Second Year in a Row. With 52% of the 13,134 votes cast, Wal-Mart won the 5th annual online "Grinch of the Year" election sponsored by National Jobs with Justice. Nominated by Wake Up Wal-Mart, the company is criticized for leading the global race to the bottom; boosting profits for their executives on the backs of their employees through low wages, insufficient healthcare, and discrimination. www.jwj.org
December 17 - Two children let shoppers know that they only wanted to ask Santa and Wal-Mart for one simple gift... "affordable health care for my Mommy". Thanks to everyone who showed up and made this effort a success. Several shoppers asked for information and many people honked in support while they were driving by the store. Although a couple of employees asked us to leave, some of our brothers and sisters in Florida were arrested while trying to leave. Read More...
December 16 - Delegates from JwJ delivered the Grinch of the Year Award to Governor Mitch Daniels and FSSA Director Mitch Roob. We inflated an 8 foot Grinch on the Statehouse steps to let everyone know the "grinchy" attitude the Governor and his cronies have for Indiana's workers.
December 12 - ANOTHER JUSTICE FOR JANITORS VICTORY - The City County Council adopted the Justice for Janitors Resolution by a 17-9 vote. Thank you to all who called your councilors and came out for last nights vote and previous hearings.
Councilors voting in favor were; Patrice Abduallah, Greg Bowes, Rozelle Boyd, Vernon Brown, Lonnell Conley, Sherron Franklin, Ron Gibson, Monroe Gray, Lance Langsford, Dane Mahern, Angela Mansfield, Mary Moriarty Adams, Jackie Nytes, William Oliver, Lincoln Plowman, Joanne Sanders, Steve Talley.
Voting against were: Virginia Cain, Bob Cockrum, Susie Day, Scott Keller, Lynn McWhirter, Marilyn Pfisterer, Earl Salisbury, Scott Schneider, Mike Speedy,
Not voting were: Philip Borst, Issac Randolph and James Bradford
December 11 - Wake-Up Wal-Mart held a candlelight vigil asking Wal-Mart to treat it's employees better, to 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. This action was a follow-up to the letter that several religious leaders signed and sent to Wal-Mart's CEO. Thanks to everyone who turned out and to Fox 59 for covering the event.
December 9 - JwJ Grinch Party - Mitch Daniels and Mitch Roob Voted Grinch of 2005! The party was lots of fun and the voting was intense. Thanks to all the volunteers, guests and especially Jim Pennell for performing.
December 10 - Jesse Jackson is the person "Who is not Shopping at Wal-Mart". Check Wake-Up Wal-Mart for more details.
December 10 - Saint Joseph Valley Project/JwJ held a Workers Rights Board hearing on the rights of public sector employees to have a union. It was a very successful hearing, Congratulations St. Joe Valley.
December 6 - The International Human Rights Week Rally at the Statehouse Rotunda was a huge success. David Bonior, Chair of American Rights at Work and former U.S. House Majority Whip, inspired the crowd. Stu Acuff, AFL-CIO, riled everyone up. Both stated the importance of bargaining rights for everyone.
November 28 - The Community Affairs committee voted to send the Janitors resolution to the full council with a do pass recommendation. Thanks to everyone who showed up in support of the Janitors, we need you once more on December 12 and bring a friend!
November 22 - Legislative Re-Organization Day Rally for AFSCME Workers was a success. Hundreds showed up to show their support. The crowd was loud and supportive and could be heard all over the building. It is rumored that the sound carried all the way into the Legislative chambers. Well done everyone!!! For more information click on Not My Man.org
JUSTICE FOR JANITORS VICTORY "On Friday, Nov 18 th , GSF (Group Services France), the largest janitorial contractor in the Indianapolis area signed a neutrality agreement providing a process for card check and future collective bargaining for over 400 GSF employees. This agreement comes after five months of a strike and more then a year of struggle of which so many of you have participated in, giving your time, your voices and your support every step of the way. There are no words to express the amount of gratitude that the janitors feel towards all of community leaders and activists who have stood with them. Long before the company began changing their attitude towards their workers, you helped the janitors to achieve their first goal - to be “Invisible No More.” " -Becky Maran, SEIU Local 3
November 13-17 - The Wal-Mart Movie Screenings were a hit. Every screening we attended had more people than expected. Many of the movie-goers signed up to help in the Wake-Up Wal-Mart Holiday Campaign. Others signed up for the campaign and as Jobs with Justice pledge signers. Congratulations movie hosts and new members in the fight against Wal-Mart.
November 9 - Huge turnout for Wake-Up Wal-Mart Halloween event!!!! Thanks to everyone who came to the event.
November 8 - Community members expressed concerns about skyrocketing heating costs and electric rates. They expressed their concerns that too many families who are struggling with layoffs and declining wages won't be able to make ends meet. The discussion was presented by the Citizens Action Coalition and was held at the Indiana Statehouse in the Senate Chambers with policy makers.
November 4 - The Wal-Mart Workers of America (WWOA) - the first national association for Wal-Mart workers was launched today. WWOA seeks to help empower Wal-Mart Workers to join together in order to improve their working conditions, their lives and change Wal-Mart into a more responsible and moral corporation. WWOA is launching a new website, www.WalMartWorkersofAmerica.com , which will offer a national clearing house of information and services for former and current Wal-Mart workers. For more info: http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/ and http://blog.wakeupwalmart.com/
