Sunday, July 27, 2014

Rev. Pinkney Goes to Trial

Rev. Edward Pinkney was falsely accused of voter fraud in connection with a recall petition for Benton Harbor, Michigan's mayor. At his hearing on May 30, the prosecutor reportedly admitted that he had no evidence against Rev. Pinkney, but he was bound over to court, anyway. Trial was originally set for June, but the prosecutor asked for a delay until September, and the court granted that request. We are now preparing for court to fight these false charges that are intended to intimidate and persecute a leader who fights for freedom and justice for all people without regard to race, socioeconomic status, or where they live. Now you are invited to share in the battle to keep Rev. Pinkney free to continue his work.

10 REASONS TO DONATE $10 TO BANCO'S LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

We still need 100 good people to donate $10 each to BANCO's Legal Defense Fund. Rev. Edward Pinkney, the director of BANCO, will go on trial in September for voter fraud in connection with a petition to recall the mayor of Benton Harbor. Voters who signed the recall petition did so because they believe the new mayor works for corporate interests against the will of the people. Rev. Pinkney and BANCO truly need local, national, and international support.

You can help rectify the injustices in Benton Harbor, particularly against BANCO leader Rev. Pinkney, as the people fight alongside local and statewide residents to promote economic and social justice in Michigan. Please make a contribution to the BANCO Legal Defense Fund so we can "Free Rev. Pinkney!"

Use the "Make a Donation" button on the BANCO home page PayPal at http://www.bhbanco.org, or mail your check or money order to: BANCO, 1940 Union St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Your $10 will help in these ten ways:

1) Support the right of Benton Harbor citizens to protect themselves against a corrupt political and judicial system;

2) Free Rev. Pinkney, who was indicted on false charges. Prevent him from becoming a political prisoner again;

3) Defend free speech and freedom of press. Rev. Pinkney's prosecution is partly because he is one of the most influential men in the nation and takes a stance against tyranny and aggression. He was America's first citizen who was restricted by court order from using the Internet. Ms. Pinkney, who was not facing any criminal charges whatsoever, was not allowed to use the Internet in the couple's home. These restrictions were lifted on May 30 after public outcry;

4) Fund the appeal to have Rev. Pinkney's erroneous indictment heard before a higher court;

5) Defend the right of Benton Harbor residents to speak out against injustice without intimidation and reprisals;

6) Stop the disenfranchisement of Benton Harbor voters (a valid recall election must not be overturned);

7) Support BANCO's fight against brutality and harassment by police; support the preservation of public lands;

8) Improve living conditions in a community with 90% unemployment and under-employment (material aid is needed);

9) Challenge economic and racial apartheid in the U.S. today;

10) Help spread the word as we join others who call for justice in Benton Harbor and throughout the world. Together we can make a difference!

Rev. Pinkney is persecuted because he leads a protest against the corporate takeover of public lands in Benton Harbor area. See an excerpt from BANCO.org:

Whirlpool Vice President Jeff Noel told U. of Mich. business school students and faculty that if you want poor peoples' land, and have justice groups "on your back," simply bring in Habitat for Humanity to build a few houses and donate some appliances. Part of the land he and his corporate partners wanted was deeded in perpetuity to the citizens of Benton Harbor in 1917 by John Klock, a land owner who's infant daughter died. In a town ceremony, Klock spoke of people who owned no land but would always have this park, and named it after his infant daughter: Jean Klock Park. The largest appliance manufacturer in the world, which has outsourced most of it's jobs leaving Benton Harbor in dire poverty, has enough lawyers to get around the minor inconvenience of a deed.

In a video no longer accessible on the web, former Whirlpool CEO Dave Whitwam stated that this is the last and largest piece (530 acres) of prime real estate along the Lake Michigan shoreline. (Parkland is real estate?) Whirlpool is busy inventing terminology to justify their takeover. An example: They call this the first ever "Master Planned Community." It will have a town center with retail shops and restaurants. (Are they replacing Benton Harbor with a new town?) Deeded parkland for the people is becoming a posh enclave for the wealthy.

A stretch of the most pristine, natural beach front is to be no more. Ever. One protester said that people who grew up in this area and love the land and lake feel like an arm is being cut off.

Judges keep ruling in favor of Whirlpool in cases brought by preservationists.

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Benton Harbor is approximately 95 percent African American, and its "twin" city St. Joseph is approximately 95 percent Caucasian. There is no other place where apartheid in America is as evident as it is in the Benton Harbor, Michigan area. Please help Rev. Pinkney and BANCO.org fight against police brutality and corporate government corruption. As Rev. Pinkney says, "The battle is not black against white; it is elitists against everybody else. We must unite to fight this battle together." It's usual and ordinary to use the criminal justice system to terrorize and incarcerate the people's leaders. Stand with BANCO.org and say:

"Not this time, not this man, not on our watch."

PETITION: Support the Change.org petition to help Rev. Pinkney and citizens of Benton Harbor:
http://www.change.org/petitions/berrien-county-michael-sepic-stop-the-corruption-we-demand-justice-in-benton-harbor-michigan-and-the-resignation-of-berrien-county-michigan-prosecutor-michael-sepic-free-rev-pinkney-stop-the-corruption

Feel free to call Rev. Pinkney at (269) 925-0001. Comment on air at Rev. Pinkney's Blogtalkradio show Sundays from 5pm - 7pm EDT at (347)994-3644. Web address http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rev-pinkney
Use the hashtag #SupportPinkney whenever you post in social media. Please give generously to the legal fund at http://www.bhbanco.org and share this call to action!

Part one repeated (because Rev. Pinkney is censored): Rev. Edward Pinkney was falsely accused of voter fraud in connection with a recall petition for Benton Harbor, Michigan's mayor. At his hearing on May 30, the prosecutor reportedly admitted that he had no evidence against Rev. Pinkney, but he was bound over to court, anyway. Trial was originally set for June, but the prosecutor asked for a delay until September, and the court granted that request. We are now preparing for court to fight these false charges that are intended to intimidate and persecute a leader who fights for freedom and justice for all people without regard to race, socioeconomic status, or where they live. Now you are invited to share in the battle to keep Rev. Pinkney free to continue his work.

10 REASONS TO DONATE $10 TO BANCO'S LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

We still need 100 good people to donate $10 each to BANCO's Legal Defense Fund. Rev. Edward Pinkney, the director of BANCO, will go on trial in September for voter fraud in connection with a petition to recall the mayor of Benton Harbor. Voters who signed the recall petition did so because they believe the new mayor works for corporate interests against the will of the people. Rev. Pinkney and BANCO truly need local, national, and international support.

You can help rectify the injustices in Benton Harbor, particularly against BANCO leader Rev. Pinkney, as the people fight alongside local and statewide residents to promote economic and social justice in Michigan. Please make a contribution to the BANCO Legal Defense Fund so we can "Free Rev. Pinkney!"

Use the "Make a Donation" button on the BANCO home page PayPal at http://www.bhbanco.org, or mail your check or money order to: BANCO, 1940 Union St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

*******

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

FCC Open Internet Comments Due July 15, 2014

Comments Due July 15, 2014, in FCC Open Internet Proceeding

On May 15, 2014, the FCC adopted, by 3-2 vote along party lines, the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) seeking to replace the recently vacated Open Internet rules. The NPRM has been the subject of much debate recently, and deliberations among the Democratic Commissioners apparently went down to the wire. Initial Comments are due July 15, 2014, and Reply Comments are due September 10, 2014.

The NPRM discusses several potential Commission rules or holdings:

What is the “best source” of statutory authority to choose for the new rules? As we reported in January, this issue was the crux of the DC Circuit’s vacatur of the previous Open Internet rules. The NPRM, according to the May 15 Staff presentation, tentatively concludes that Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is the best source. The NPRM also asks, however, whether Title II of the Communications Act, reserved for telecommunications common carriers, is also appropriate. Word is that Title II was added at the request of Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mignon Clyburn.
What should be the scope of the new rules? Should they include wireless service under Title III of the Communications Act?
Expanded and strengthened “transparency” rules stating the types of disclosures that network operators must make regarding their network management practices. Note that the transparency rule was the only aspect of the prior rules which survived appeal.
Blocking of lawful Internet content is an unlawful and unreasonable practice. This discussion will include issue of “paid prioritization,” whereby network operators seek payment from content providers to deliver their content more quickly. The NPRM suggests application of a rebuttable presumption that paid prioritization contracts are unlawful.
For all other types of potentially unlawful activity, the “commercially reasonable” test will apply.
Enforcement of the new rules will be supervised by an “ombudsman” and might permit anonymous complaints. The NPRM asks how to ensure that small businesses and start-ups can have effective access to the enforcement process.

The FCC’s Fact Sheet about the NPRM is available here.

For more information, contact Stephanie A. Joyce or the Arent Fox professional who handles your matters.
http://www.arentfox.com/newsroom/alerts/comments-due-july-15-2014-fcc-open-internet-proceeding

Thursday, July 3, 2014

More Endorsements for George McKenna: LAUSD

Send your community service announcements to the MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com email address in order to be considered for publication in this "Human Rights Events by MaryLovesJustice" Blog. Political and Christian announcements are welcome. If you do not receive a confirmation within 48 hours, please re-send the announcement. I personally endorse George McKenna for LAUSD. I believe he is the best candidate for the job. See an important movie below: Denzel Washington plays George McKenna in "Hard Lessons" at http://youtu.be/GyuTXUKBoCM Enjoy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 30, 2014

PRESS CONTACT:
Jewett Walker
(310) 947-7745
manager@electmckenna.com

George McKenna Receives Endorsement of Former LAUSD School Board Candidates

McKenna heads to August 12 run-off election with the strong backing of fellow educators

Los Angeles, CA - George McKenna, who with 45% of the vote nearly outright won the June 3rd special election to replace deceased LAUSD District 1 Board Member Marguerite LaMotte, has received the endorsement of four former competitors: educators Sherlett Hendy-Newbill, Rachel C. Johnson and Hattie B. McFrazier and former LAUSD Board Member Genethia Hudley-Hayes. A run-off election will be held on August 12th between McKenna and the second-place finisher, who despite outspending McKenna over 3-to-1 in the June 3rd primary election finished 20 points behind him.

“I am honored to be endorsed by these accomplished women who have been committed to improving the educational outcomes for the children of Los Angeles,” said McKenna. “Each has a track record within the LAUSD as a teacher and/or board member and they are aware of the issues involved in the day-to day operations of classrooms and school sites. We all share a passion for working for the best interests of our students. I am proud to have their support.”

Former District 1 Board Member Hudley-Hayes said, “George McKenna has the history and the track record of working on behalf of students, particularly poor students of color. I know he will be an independent voice on the School Board for students, parents and citizens. He will work with administrators, parents and students to create the conditions so that all schools effectively educate all students, particularly schools that have been left out.”

Hattie McFrazier, who spent 31 years with LAUSD, first as a teacher and later as a Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, said, of the two candidates remaining in the race, “George McKenna is the one with the knowledge and experience to move the district forward. His focus would be on education and not politics. He owes nothing to anyone, so he can concentrate on education and not politics. His interest lies in providing a quality education for our students. I believe he is the best candidate for District 1 at this time.”

A teacher at Dorsey H.S. since 1998 and third-place finisher Sherlett Hendy-Newbill, said, “George McKenna's experience in the Greater Los Angeles education arena was the determining factor in my decision to endorse him.” As a member of the School Board, “he will add to and enhance the outstanding legacy left by the Honorable Marguerite LaMotte and build a strong foundation for all children attending public schools in Los Angeles."

With more than 50 years of experience, McKenna has served at all levels of the educational ladder, including classroom mathematics teacher, principal and local district superintendent within LAUSD. Additionally, he has served as Superintendent of the Inglewood USD, Deputy Director of the Compton USD and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools of the Pasadena USD. In addition to serving on numerous education committees, he is currently an educational consultant, providing professional development and support to school districts and community organizations throughout the country.

George McKenna has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally, for his work in transforming schools, improving student performance and increasing community interest and involvement within local schools.

With more than 400 citations, he has been profiled in national publications, including Time, People and Ebony magazines; television shows, including “Nightline” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show;” and numerous newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and The Christian Science Monitor. His success in transforming South Central Los Angeles’ Washington Preparatory High School has been documented in print as well as film, including, “The George McKenna Story,” starring Denzel Washington and a documentary, entitled, “Chaos to Calm,” produced by the California State Attorney General’s Office.

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A high-resolution photograph of Sherlett Hendy-Newbill, Genethia Hudley-Hayes, George McKenna, Rachel Johnson and Hattie McFrazier is available for download at http://bit.ly/frmrcanpic
LAUSD Board District 1 spans from Windsor Hills to the southwest, Cheviot Hills to the northwest, Hancock Park to the north, University Park to the northeast and parts of Gardena to the southeast and has been represented by an African-American since districts were first established in 1979. At 41 percent, it is the only LAUSD district with a plurality of African-American voters.
For more information about the George McKenna for School Board campaign, visit the campaign website www.electmckenna.com or follow the campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at ElectMcKenna.

Paid for by George McKenna for School Board 2014 General (ID #1367415)
5870 Melrose Ave, LA, CA 90038 · Campaign Office: 3818 1/2 Crenshaw Blvd, LA, CA 90008
This email was sent to MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com.

Human Rights Events by MaryLovesJustice