from: William Hughes

On March 9, 2010, around noon, about 14 pro-Healthcare Reform activists were arrested at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in down town Washington, D.C. They attempted to cross a police line set up at an entrance to the hotel, where the Fat Cats of the Healthcare Insurance Industry were holding a conference. Earlier, the protesters had convened at Dupont Circle for a rally. Then, they paraded down to the hotel, about ten blocks away. The crowd was estimated at about 5,500. The event was staged by Health Care for America Now (HCAN), along with more than 50 major Labor, grassroots and religious leaders. For background go here: http://healthcareforamericanow.org/ The D.C. police decided, for their own reasons, not to place criminal charge against the parties that were detained at the hotel. Four of the 14 reportedly arrested were: an official from the SEIU union; Jonathan Tasini, Democratic candidate for U. S. Senate in NY; Jeff Blum of US Action; and Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland. The crowd shouted chants, like: “Healthcare, now!” and “Arrest the real criminals!”

from: William Hughes

On March 9, 2010, a rally was held in Washington, D.C. championing Healthcare Reform. The demonstration began at Dupont Circle, at 10: 30 AM, and then moved south, about 10 blocks to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Fat Cats from the Healthcare Insurance Industry were holding a conference at that site. The event was organized by Health Care for America Now (HCAN), along with more than 50 major Labor, grassroots and religious leaders. For background go to: http://healthcareforamericanow.org/ Featured in this video, are, inter alia, U.S. Democratic Senate candidate in New York, State Jonathan Tasini; Ex-Governor Howard Dean (D-VT); and Matthew Weinstein, Maryland Coordinator, Health Care for America Now.

from: William Hughes

On Thursday morning, March 4, 2010, a spirited protest action was held in front of the “Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center,” on north Gay Street, not far from the City Hall, in Baltimore. The demonstrators demanded “$100 million [in Maryland’s state budget] be converted from youth jails to youth jobs and education,” according to their press release. Students, teachers and community activists joined in the social justice action. About 13 of the activists made their way into the lobby of the building, where they engaged in a civil disobedience-like protest. As I left the event to cover another assignment, the students in front of the building were continuing to chant: “Arrest O’Malley!” They even printed out a flyer, with O’Malley’s mug on it, which stated: “Wanted for Incarcerating Youth!” It appeared the police were prepared to simply “wait out” the protesters inside the building. For any updates, go to this web site: http://bailoutpeople.org/

from: William Hughes

On Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2010, a sidewalk summit advocating “Medicare for All,” was staged in Washington, D.C., at Lafayette Park, North, not far from the White House. To close the rally, Dr. Margaret Flowers sang her rendition of “It Isn’t Nice,” a ballad authored by the late, great songwriter and activist, Malvina Reynolds. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvina_Reynolds Dr. Flower was introduced by activist Katie Robbins. For background on the Sidewalk Summit, go to: http://www.healthcare-now.org/

from: William Hughes

Ed Norris is the former Police Commissioner of Baltimore City. Currently, he is a popular radio talk show host, on 105.7 WHFS (FM), in town. On Feb. 24, 2010, he appeared on a panel to discuss the crime situation in Baltimore. The event, held at a local bistro/pub, was sponsored by “Investigative Voice,” See: investigativevoice.com To learn more about Mr. Norris, check out: wikipedia.org and ednorris.com Mr. Norris said that the HBO’s “The Wire” program gave an “accurate portrayal” of crime conditions in the city during his tenure in office.

from: William Hughes

On Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2010, a sidewalk summit advocating “Medicare for All,” was staged in Washington, D.C., at Lafayette Park, North, not far from the White House. Here are some sights and scenes from that spirited event. For background, see: http://www.healthcare-now.org/

from: William Hughes

Ed Norris is the former Police Commissioner for Baltimore City. He said our drug policy doesn’t work. Norris urged ‘legalizing” all drugs. He said prohibition doesn’t work. Norris said: “As long as it is illegal, they’re [the drugs], going to be in demand...They’re not killing each other for the drugs. They’re killing each other for the money. And, that’s the problem... You can’t legislate morality.” The ex-Mayor of Baltimore, Sheila Dixon also participated in the exchange of views. REGRETFULLY, AS A RESULT OF VIDEO DIFFICULTIES, ONLY THE AUDIO PORTION OF THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE. The event was held on Feb. 24, 2010, in Baltimore, MD. It was sponsored by “Investigative Voice,” See:
http://investigativevoice.com/ To learn more about Mr. Norris, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Norris

from: William Hughes

On Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, the Pulizter Prize winning author Taylor Branch, spoke in Baltimore, MD. He talked about the necessity of Healthcare Reform in the U.S. Mr. Taylor drew some parallels with this current struggle for social justice and with the heroic battle for Civil Rights in America, under the leadership of the legendary Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. Taylor is a noted biographer of MLK. See: http://taylorbranch.com/ The event was held at the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore. It was sponsored by Health Care for All at: http://healthcareforall.com/HTML1.phtml and http://healthcareforamericanow.org/ and the March to the Finish Line at: http://melaniesmarch.com and Progressive Maryland, at: http://www.progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=268
Matthew Weinstein, MD Coordinator, Health Care for America Now, served as the moderator.

From: sc

FORBIDDEN DREAMS is a documentary about some martyred Palestinian children: Mohammed, Safaa, Ahmed, Omar-- those children who lost their lives in the death chambers of the IOF in Gaza; their stories told by their friends and families. It consists of testimonies of bereaved families from Northern Gaza; a story of children whose dreams had been cut short. The documentary is produced by the One Democratic State Group in Gaza. odsg.org/co Forbidden Dreams

from: William Hughes

On Feb. 18, 2010, Jonathan Tasini presented a “Petition to End the Filibuster,” to aides of U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), in the Hart Office Building, in Washington, D.C. Mr. Tasini is a union leader, organizer and a progressive, who is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in New York state. He has been a champion of free lance writers. Mr. Tasini also maintains a blog called, “Working Life.” He is antiwar and has endorsed the “Medicare for All” position. For background on Mr. Tasini’s “Petition to End the Filibuster,” go to: http://www.jonathantasini.com/