Hold Wall Street Accountable for its Fraud

The rule of law must be applied equally to all people. Yet, the most massive organized crime spree in history has not only gone unpunished, but has actually been rewarded with trillions of dollars of bailouts and interest free loans to the criminals responsible. In order to re-establish trust in our political and economic systems, justice must be served.

Throughout the housing bubble era and its disastrous unwind, Wall Street committed fraud upon fraud against the American public and indeed the whole world. From the fraudulent origination of subprime mortgages; to the establisment of the Mortgage Electronic Registry System (MERS) to bypass the land registry system; to the illegitimate pooling and servicing agreements in the securitization process; to the false credit ratings then given to the consequent Mortgage Backed Securities and their derivatives; and finally to the illegal forclosures attained by robosigning false notes and affidavits; the whole process was and is criminal.

We, the people of Rhode Island, ask you, Attorney General Kilmartin, to not let these crimes go unpunished. Join other states like New York, Massachusetts, and Nevada in prosecuting Wall Street for mortgage fraud, and don’t sign on to any mortgage settlement that absolves the criminals of their responsibility.

Sign the petition here.

Sunday, February 5, 1pm at the Media Center at the Met, 325 Public St., Providence.

Join the Coalition to Defend Public Education for this film showing–and stick around for a discussion featuring special guest Brian Jones, co-narrator of the film! (via Skype)

Suggested donation: $5. Proceeds will be donated to the Grassroots Education Movement, the group that produced the film.

For information, call 401-400-0373 or email coalitiontodefendpubliced@gmail.com.

RSVP on Facebook

the adorable family of Councilwoman Matos, from her Facebook page

At the February 2nd meeting of the Providence City Council, Council President Michael Solomon (Ward Five) announced the creation of a new Women and Healthy Communities subcommittee of the Committee on Ordinances. Councilmembers Sabina Matos (Ward Fifteen), Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), David Salvatore (Ward 14), Seth Yurdin (Ward 1), and Samuel Zurier (Ward 2) were named as members of the subcommittee.

“The subcommittee on Women and Healthy Communities will take on issues affecting youth, families, seniors, and new residents, with a special focus on women and girls,” said Councilwoman Matos. “This is a fantastic opportunity to focus our attention on concerns that, all too often, are over-looked.”

The Council President explained that Providence was following the successful model of the Boston City Council, which established a similar committee in 2009. “I’m very proud that the Council has decided to create this subcommittee, which will serve as a new venue for discussions of how to best combat poverty, prevent violence, and stabilize our families and communities,” said Solomon.

The subcommittee will hold its organizational meeting in the coming weeks to elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson, and discuss upcoming agenda items.

GoLocalProv had this scoop!

(PROVIDENCE, RI; PHILADELPHIA, PA; TUCSON, AZ) – When does learning about non-Europeans/non-Whites in the US constitute promoting resentment toward a race or class?

When does learning about the development of the US and manifest destiny and those who opposed such policies cross the line to become promoting the overthrow of the US government?

When did a class providing awareness about the societal and civic contributions of one of this country’s minority/ethnic groups become illegal?

These are some of the questions being asked by activists, students, and journalists all over the country, though the answer to number three might be more clear: it’s been over a year since the governor of Arizona signed into law House Bill 2281, “which prohibits a school district or charter school (in Arizona) from including in its program of instruction any courses or classes that promote the overthrow of the United States government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group, or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”

Yet it is recent events that have re-stirred up the questions, concerns, and heated debates on the topic: the final termination of the Mexican American Studies program in Tucson, Arizona – and the removal of corresponding books from Tucson schools that are now part of a list of banned literature.

Critics of the legislation say that the policies curtail teacher creativity, and call the law an attempt to further silence and marginalize people of color in a state becoming infamous for what many view as one anti-immigrant or anti-Brown policy after another.  Supporters of the state law – and the recent move by Tucson officials – cite the Mexican American Studies program as an example of a program that promotes one racial/ethnic group over all others, and say that programs like these promote a victimization mentality.

But critics aren’t buying it, and they’re not standing by quietly.  Two such activists are Nuala Cabral and Denice Frohman of FAAN Mail (Fostering Activism and Alternatives Now!), www.faanmail.wordpress.com. FAAN Mail is a media literacy/media activism project formed by women of color to promote pro-active audiences and creative alternatives.

Cabral and Frohman are based in Philadelphia, MA, but they’re not letting geography stop their actions.  On the contrary, Cabral, Frohman and the FAAN Mail community have launched a social media campaign (on Twitter, primarily, #WishiLearnedinHS), “Wished I Learned in High School,” to collect and share stories from people who can speak to the benefits they’ve gained from Ethnic Studies programs and to the regrets they feel about not getting enough exposure to the stories of people of color, women, LGBT writers, and other voices in their K-12 years.

Cabral and Frohoman say they are outraged that racist/conservative ideology has prevailed over data on programs that have been proven to be effective for students of color (who are at more risk for dropping out), and bothered that what hasn’t been acknowledged is the idea that there are already preferential treatments built into the educational system – those that favor the stories, ideas, history and perspectives of wealthy, western, white men.

Click here to check out my audio podcast/interview with Cabral and Frohman, which was recorded and originally aired on Sonic Watermelons on bsrlive.com on Wednesday, February 1.  Click here to see a short video about some of the on-the-ground student and community organizing.

Or check out the links below to learn more about the FAAN Mail campaign and the Arizona saga.

• faanmail.wordpress.com/wishilearnedinhs-effort/
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_studies
• www.thenation.com/blog/165989/challenging-arizonas-ban-ethnic-studies
• www.huffingtonpost.com/david-moshman/did-arizona-ban-ethnic-st_b_816713.html
• motherjones.com/mojo/2010/05/ethnic-studies-banned-arizona
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_SB_1070

2nd Public Meeting to Restore Roger Williams Park Ponds
Where:        Roger Williams Park Casino
When:        Tuesday, February 7th, at 7PM

The plan itself is comprised of the following phases:

Phase 1: “Best Management Practices,” Community Engagement and Restoration Design.
Included in this phase, shoreline planting, wetland construction and waterfowl control to reduce water pollution in the Park, as well as development of a plan and cost estimates for restoration of the entire ponds system.

Phase 2:  Full-scale Restoration
Included in this phase, further reductions of on-site pollution and reduction of off-site impacts, continued restoration of biodiversity including control of invasive fish (sorry carp anglers). Of particular importance in this phase will be the planning of ways to address upstream sources of pollution, the watersheds surrounding Mashapaug and Spectacle Ponds.

Phase 3:  Migratory Fish Restoration
Included in this phase, restoration of the stream continuity and migratory fish passage along Belafonte Brook (*love it*).

If you can’t make the meeting, volunteers can get involved by contacting the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP).

The Providence Children’s Film Festival

Rhode Island’s first and only festival dedicated to children’s films returns to Providence for its 3rd year, February 16-21, 2012.  This year, there will be six days and three venues (Cable Car Cinema and Cafe, RISD Museum, and RISD Auditorium) filled with high-quality, independent and international films for children and youth between ages 3-18!  Advanced Ticket sales starting February 1, 2012. See website for details.

“We could think of no better way to honor the Governor than to share his legacy with the state he served so admirably. We hope this reminds long-time Rhode Islanders of his achievements and introduces the younger generation to a man who was a role model for us all.”

Many of the items in the electronic photo album are also on display at the State Archives through the end of February. The exhibit is open to the public weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 337 Westminster St., in downtown Providence. Free validated parking is available at the nearby In-Town Parking lot.

In addition to hosting exhibits, the State Archives is also home to tens of thousands of historic artifacts such as the state’s copy of the Declaration of Independence, the 1920 law granting Rhode Island women the right to vote and a circa-1930 voting machine.

Councilman Bryan Principe and Councilwoman Sabina Matos join Providence Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan F. Lusi in welcoming you to learn more about what’s new in the Providence Schools.

Families and community members from Wards 13 & 15, as well as other city residents whose children attend Carl G. Lauro, William D’Abate, Webster Avenue and Asa Messer Elementary Schools are encouraged to attend this community event.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Asa Messer Elementary School
1655 Westminster Street

Meet Interim Superintendent Dr. Susan F. Lusi
Learn more about Providence Schools initiatives and the strategic outlook for the district
Learn how families can help support the vision of greater student achievement for all students
Hear how your City Council representatives are working with PPSD toward a better education for  all children

RSVP is requested but not required.
Call 456-0886 to respond.
Spanish translation services will be available.

* * *

Quedan invitados a una Reunión Comunitaria sobre las Escuelas Públicas de Providence

Los concejales Bryan Principe y Sabina Matos estarán junto a la Superintendente de Escuelas de Providence, la Dra. Susan F. Lusi dándole la bienvenida a conocer más sobre qué hay de nuevo en las escuelas.

Animamos a la asistencia de familias y miembros de la comunidad de los distritos 13 & 15 de la ciudad, al igual que a otros residentes cuyos niños(as) asisten a las escuelas Carl G. Lauro, William D’Abate, Webster Avenue y Asa Messer.  Este será un importante evento comunitario.

Miércoles, 1 de febrero, 2012
6:30 de la noche
Escuela Primaria Asa Messer,
1655 de la calle Westminster, en Providence

Conozca a la Superintendente, la Dra. Susan F. Lusi
Conozca más sobre las iniciativas en las escuelas y el plan estratégico para el distrito escolar
Entérese de cómo puede darnos su ayuda con la visión de aumentar los logros académicos de los estudiantes
Sepan cómo sus representantes en el concejo trabajan con PPSD para mejorar la educación de todos los estudiantes

Agradecemos sus reservaciones.
Llamen al 456-0886 hacer reservaciones.
Tendremos traducción al español disponible.

So the key to getting your issue on the map is to ask the candidate in public, with voters and media in the room.  Even if you are creating your own media, the key is to get them “on the record.”  Wait in line for the microphone and ask away.  Obviously this is easier to do in a local race than a big national one, but those interactions are going to have more impact anyway.  People need to see that the president is, in many ways, inconsequential because there is little difference between candidates.

Go look in the mirror and practice how to load up a question.  Here, try these on for size:

“With prison spending exceeding education spending, and legal discrimination against 200,000 people in our state due to their felony record, where they are barred from employment, where computers are deleting applications that reflect a felony record, where public housing is denying the reunification of families… do you think we should continue to use prisons as a solution for mental illness, homelessness, and substance abuse?  Or do you think we should find an alternative?”

 Check out the tactic of leading in with some facts.  Frame the question.  Make it so they must agree… in public at least.

“Considering that education is the oldest form of self-empowerment and the only known pathway for stability, not only for an individual but for a community, do you think prisoners and former prisoners should be allowed to get an education?”

Follow-up:  “And what do you say to the person who feels that a former prisoner’s education is taking a classroom seat away from someone who was not in prison, and more deserving?”

Who can be against education?

“In a society where defense attorneys are sometimes earning millions of dollars each year defending drug clients, do you find any conflict of interest for a legislator, who has ties to the defense attorneys through their own firm or their close associates, to make laws that create more clients?”

“With all the failed results from rehabilitation and re-entry programs designed without the input of those who have direct experience, do you think it is time to listen to former prisoners (those who are truly the primary stakeholder in rehabilitation) about what works and doesn’t work… or should we keep giving money to so-called experts and the politically connected entities?“

“Do you think people released from prison should be encouraged to get more involved in their community by voting, holding jobs, and raising their children… or should they be pushed into the shadows of an underclass where drugs and violence are essential for survival?”

Here’s one I have for Attorney General Eric Holder, who is coming to do a talk on voting at my law school.  Let’s see if he selects it, and answers….

“In Louisiana there are 66,000 people on probation and parole who cannot vote, and over 10% of New Orleans is barred from voting.  Considering as Felony Disenfranchisement laws have a disparate impact on People of Color, do you believe theJustice Department should consider enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in states, such as Louisiana, that are covered under Section 5 of the Act?”

Film it, post it, share it.  Let the follow-ups begin, and let the candidates show their knowledge, intelligence, leadership, and compassion for all their constituents shine… or not.

What question would YOU ask?

Leo DiMaio, founder of the College Readiness program and the Talent Development program at the University of Rhode Island, the late Providence Councilman Miguel C. Luna, and the late community activist William “Billy” Taylor have been selected as the 2012 MLK Hall of Fame inductees.

They’re being honored for their demonstrated efforts to carry on the legacy of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by making substantial contributions to acceptance, social justice, civil rights and equality. Mayor Taveras selected the honorees from a list of nominees submitted to the Mayor by the Providence Human Relations Commission.

The recipients’ names will be permanently inscribed in a plaque in Providence City Hall. The program will also include a spoken word performance by Franny Choi of PrSYM and performances by John Britto, RPM Voices, and the Eastern Medicine Singers. There will also be an American Sign Language interpreter.