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Date: Mon, 2 May 2011 08:25:18 -0700<BR>Subject: [DE] Fwd: Occupy the State Capitol (Sac'to) May 9-13! Statement by Educators for a Democratic Union (EDU)<BR>From: jonah.zern@gmail.com<BR>To: teachnobombs-announcements@lists.riseup.net; ednotincorganize@lists.riseup.net; defend-education@googlegroups.com; schoolstoprisonsbayarea@googlegroups.com<BR><BR><BR>Begin forwarded message:<BR><BR>Educators for a Democratic Union/EDU<BR><BR><BR><BR>Occupy the State Capitol May 9-13. Bring signs that say:<BR><BR>- Tax the Rich and the Corporations<BR><BR>- Fully Fund Public Education and Public Services<BR><BR>- California for All: Transfer the Wealth to the Bottom<BR><BR>The California Teachers' Association (CTA) has declared a "State of<BR>Emergency" in public education and public services and issued a call<BR>to all unions and their allies to support a Week of Action, May 9 -<BR>13, to occupy the Capitol in Sacramento. The California Federation of<BR>Teachers (CFT) has also endorsed this action. United Educators of San<BR>Francisco (UESF) is getting involved locally and in Sacramento!<BR><BR><BR><BR>Educators for a Democratic Union (EDU) is asking for a concerted<BR>effort to kick off the week of action by having as many of our unions,<BR>community members and parents allies join us by occupying the Capitol<BR>on Monday, May 9th. Consider coming for as much of the week as you<BR>can: EDU hopes to turn out huge numbers on Monday May 9! Call UESF at<BR>956-8373 to ask about transportation to Sacramento.<BR><BR>For educators, public workers and recipients of public services, the<BR>"state of emergency" in California is no surprise. Public workers at<BR>all levels have seen cuts to our livelihoods: furloughs, pay cuts, and<BR>layoffs. Residents and students have seen services cut and tremendous<BR>increases in fees, while attempts to stave the bleeding are usually<BR>regressive local tax options.<BR><BR>The Republican party and their more extreme Tea Party allies blame<BR>public workers and portray the public sector as a drag on economic<BR>growth and efficiency. Currently Republicans are calling for a firm<BR>$25 billion in cuts. Democrats tell us to live within our means and<BR>tighten our belts. Jerry Brown is pushing for $12 billion in cuts and<BR>$12 billion in largely regressive tax extensions on sales, income and<BR>vehicle fees. Public debate is only beginning to address corporate<BR>responsibility, an unfair and unfixed tax system -- and a horrifying<BR>and increasing unfair distribution of wealth. NOW IS THE TIME to<BR>mobilize independently and build a coalition around defense of public<BR>service and progressive taxation.<BR><BR> The $25 billion budget shortfall has a solution!<BR><BR>- Raise the income tax on the wealthiest 1% by 4% = $20 billion<BR><BR>- Increase the corporate tax rate by just 4% = $4 billion.<BR><BR>- Institute an Oil Company Severance Tax = another $1 billion.<BR><BR><BR><BR> Even if you think that Jerry Brown and the Democrats current<BR>"alternative" is reasonable or a "necessary evil" -- you probably<BR>agree with BUILDING an ALTERNATIVE; a CALIFORNIA for ALL.<BR><BR>There is the wealth in California to fully fund parks, water systems,<BR>schools, public transportation, etc. EDU asks you to join us in<BR>resisting a discourse and a system that tells us poverty is the only<BR>choice: user fees, less services, more unemployment, ARE NOT<BR>ACCEPTABLE -- for us, for other public workers, for our students and<BR>their families.<BR><BR>There is an alternative: Tax the Rich. And then help us bring the<BR>debates and on-going organizing & coalition-building back to the local<BR>level, regional and state levels, Empowerment, not poverty; Build the<BR>alternative: California for all.<BR><BR>To work with EDU on "Tax the Rich/Fight Cuts/Fight for Public<BR>Education" and public service/community coalition efforts, please<BR>contact:<BR><BR>Andy Libson at: <A href="mailto:ed4all@googlegroups.com">ed4all@googlegroups.com</A> &/or <A target=_blank>415-336-5034</A><BR><BR>If you are an SF teacher and are interested in Educators for a Democratic Union,<BR><BR>The next EDU meeting is:<BR><BR>Thursday May 19th, 4:30 at the Glen Park Library; 2825 Diamond Street<BR><BR><BR><BR>union labor donated<BR><BR>--
<BR>-- <BR>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Defend Public Education" group.<BR>To post to this group, send email to defend-education@googlegroups.com.<BR>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to defend-education+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.<BR>For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/defend-education?hl=en.<BR> </body>
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