NEWSMAKERS Jul-Dec 2017
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Tue Dec 26, 2017 -Washington Interfaith Network
- Metro IAF NY Affiliates Press District Attorneys to Act on Mental Health and Prison Diversion
Tue Dec 26, 2017 -Metro-IAF NY - LCU’s Fight for Crisis Intervention Leads to Invitation to Present Mental Health Strategy to Waukegan Police Officers
Tue Dec 26, 2017 -Lake County United - GBIO Clergy Show Up in Force Hours Before Massachusetts State House Vote on Criminal Justice Bill
Wed Nov 29, 2017 -Greater Boston Interfaith Organization - Regina Hammond, President of ReBUILD Johnston Square
Wed Nov 29, 2017 -BUILD
Marin County organizing committee/iaf hammers Unconscionable evictions; renters bouyed by decisive steps toward protection
Rev. Thomas Gable: “...stable, affordable housing is the bedrock of life and well-being”
Less than a year after kicking off an organizing effort to address eviction threats in Marin County, the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) won a significant victory.
On December 12, in response to pressure from MOC leaders, the Marin Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support a mandatory mediation program for renters. The ordinance will require mediation when requested by a tenant or landlord for rent increases exceeding 5% per year. The ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas of Marin County which include approximately 8,300 renter-occupied units. About 1 in 4 of those renters pay more than 50% of household income on rent.
70+ members of MOC attended two hearings, speaking in support of this much needed program. “From our perspective, housing is not merely another commodity,” said Rev. Thomas Gable (featured in above photo), “stable, affordable housing is the bedrock of life and well-being”.
On December 12, in response to pressure from MOC leaders, the Marin Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support a mandatory mediation program for renters. The ordinance will require mediation when requested by a tenant or landlord for rent increases exceeding 5% per year. The ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas of Marin County which include approximately 8,300 renter-occupied units. About 1 in 4 of those renters pay more than 50% of household income on rent.
70+ members of MOC attended two hearings, speaking in support of this much needed program. “From our perspective, housing is not merely another commodity,” said Rev. Thomas Gable (featured in above photo), “stable, affordable housing is the bedrock of life and well-being”.
Forgotten no longer
Las Milpas: A Case Study in How Civic Engagement Can Improve a Community
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez: “All of Las Milpas is transformed, thanks in large part to Valley Interfaith. This group played a critical role in identifying the improvements the City of Pharr had to make, and I am sure they have done it throughout the Rio Grande Valley.”
A great school story
transformational organizing in colorado
Pride of ownership: Brighton school leaders step up with backing of Colorado IAF
Together Louisiana Comes up Big in fight over Tax breaks for Industry
Three articles in Louisiana’s paper of record - The Advocate - offer a granulated look at the fight over corporate tax breaks that is far from over. Highly unusual in today’s quick and dirty media environment, these articles by reporter Rebekah Allen do justice to the key players, what happened and what’s at stake going forward.
- No Strings Attached: Louisiana's costliest incentive program allowed manufacturing companies to cut jobs while saving billions in taxes
- No Strings Attached: Thanks to tax breaks, Cameron Parish government struggles amid industrial boom
- No Strings Attached: Louisiana local governments unsure how to wield new power, responsibility over exemption
Ten Reasons Why The Resistance Will Thrive in 2018
FLATTERING DONALD TRUMP
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"It’s tempting to conclude that Donald Trump’s desperate need for affirmation comes from deep seated, irresolvable family issues buried in the past. It doesn’t matter. His insatiable appetite has a public consequence the workings of which are on display for all to witness. There’s a Wizard of Oz aspect to national politics in the Trump era. A small, insecure man behind a screen using media devices to make false claims to grandiosity." All here.
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Key commitments to affordable housing for senior citizens in nyc; metro iaf drives plan in face of mayor's resistance
WIN's Secret: Never give up
Ten year battle for affordable housing culminates in victory
The Washington Interfaith Network has helped the residents of the erstwhile complex to organize and push for their inclusion in the District's planning process for the site. They also asked for as much affordable housing as possible, no barriers to previous tenants returning, such as new credit and background checks, and beginning construction promptly.
Randy Kessler, a WIN member and leader at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church—where Monday's meeting took place—says faith groups will continue to support the tenants. "To see the project through zoning, to see that it is fully funded, to get a shovel in the ground, and to get former Temple Courts residents back into the neighborhood as soon as possible," he explains of WIN's goals.
Randy Kessler, a WIN member and leader at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church—where Monday's meeting took place—says faith groups will continue to support the tenants. "To see the project through zoning, to see that it is fully funded, to get a shovel in the ground, and to get former Temple Courts residents back into the neighborhood as soon as possible," he explains of WIN's goals.
Rules for radicals, real and fake: Trumpworld's Saul Alinsky obsession
"I don’t know if Lara Trump knows the first thing about any of this, but she has no excuse not to after numerous people, including me, called her out online about the bogus article — one that touches on very old smears about crafty Jews using the poor and dark to reshape “our” society." Excellent Harry Siegel piece in the New York Daily News.
Together louisiana/IAF clears path for an end to backroom deals
Persuades Governor John Bel Edwards to enforce public scrutiny of Secretive industrial tax break applications
The rule requires companies applying for an industrial tax exemption with a local government to disclose to the state what they are applying for and that LED, in turn, post the information on its website within three days.
Several hundred Together Louisiana leaders celebrate hard fought win for transparency and public accountability.
More media:
http://wrkf.org/post/mutual-admiration-society#stream/0
https://apnews.com/…/Industrial-tax-break-info-to-be-posted…
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_d264ceb2-c589-11e7-a114-d3a982d8faff.html
http://wrkf.org/post/mutual-admiration-society#stream/0
https://apnews.com/…/Industrial-tax-break-info-to-be-posted…
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_d264ceb2-c589-11e7-a114-d3a982d8faff.html
IMMIGRATION BREAKTHROUGH!
1500 DALLAS AREA INTERFAITH/IAF LEADERS STRIKE MAJOR DEAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
FARMERS BRANCH — Several North Texas police departments say that if stopped or questioned, immigrants without state-issued ID will be allowed to identify themselves with other paperwork.
Police chiefs from Carrollton, Dallas and Farmers Branch told a crowd of 1,500 people at a Dallas-Area Interfaith meeting Sunday afternoon that they would recognize utility bills, library cards, church membership cards and other forms of IDs.
Police chiefs from Carrollton, Dallas and Farmers Branch told a crowd of 1,500 people at a Dallas-Area Interfaith meeting Sunday afternoon that they would recognize utility bills, library cards, church membership cards and other forms of IDs.
The standing-room-only crowd of at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch listened to a panel of clergy, law enforcement officials and Farmers Branch and Dallas-area city officials during a Dallas Area Interfaith meeting on immigration, policing and city infrastructure on Sunday.
(Robert W. Hart/Special Contributor)
Inmigrantes Sin Licencia Podrán Usar Otro Tipo de Identificación Ante Policías de Dallas, Carrollton y Farmers Branch, Al Día Dallas [pdf]
Immigrants Without State ID Will Be Allowed to Use Other Forms if Stopped by Dallas-area Police, Dallas Morning News [pdf]
Policia: Cualquier Identificación Sirve Durante Una Detención, Telemundo [pdf]
Realizan un Foro Comunitario Sobre Inmigrantes en Farmers Branch, Univision [pdf]
Live Stream of Assembly, Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Immigrants Without State ID Will Be Allowed to Use Other Forms if Stopped by Dallas-area Police, Dallas Morning News [pdf]
Policia: Cualquier Identificación Sirve Durante Una Detención, Telemundo [pdf]
Realizan un Foro Comunitario Sobre Inmigrantes en Farmers Branch, Univision [pdf]
Live Stream of Assembly, Catholic Diocese of Dallas
IAF Co-Director Michael Gecan in the Chicago sun times:
Elites can’t keep writing off the adrift Americans who voted for Trump
In this 1947 photo, 706 new cars and trucks are shipped down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. Political parties can reconnect with many Americans in the middle of the country by bringing back jobs of this sort, writes Michael Gecan. Stepping up the pace of reconstruction of locks and dams on the Ohio, for example, could increase barge traffic — and create jobs.
new York courtroom gave every detained immigrant a lawyer. The results were staggering.
And now a dozen more cities are getting on board.
Updated by Dara Linddara@vox.com Nov 9, 2017, 9:10am EST
Trump surrogate whipped in virginia race for governor
Democrat Ralph Northam wins despite last minute Trump Twitter barrage
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan: He's lying about Trumptax and he knows it.
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"Unfortunately for the American middle class, Ryan is lying." |
Trump Administration Cops a plea
Growing threat of climate change "dire"
Climate change deniers pinned and wriggling on the wall
“This is a federal government report whose contents completely undercut their policies, completely undercut the statements made by senior members of the administration,” said Phil Duffy, director of the Woods Hole Research Center.
Fat Cats to get fatter...
if trumptax gets congressional blessing
GOP vision for taxes: Many people paying more so corporations can start paying less
Rep Kevin Brady, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and the pride of Texas
One certainty to date: Donald Trump and his family will make out bigly if sweeping rewrite of the tax code becomes the law of the land. Another certainty: Corporates and big rich stand to make huge gains. The middle class payoff? A pittance or worse. More here.
Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Non-profits:
Beware trumptax!
Home builders have come out against Trumptax, the still secret plan concocted by Republicans to cut taxes and remix winners and losers through the tax code. Having failed so far in behind the scenes negotiations to gain a special tax credit to their benefit, the National Association of Home Builders will seek to demolish Trumptax as proposed. The National Association of Realtors is piling in behind NAHB in opposition as well.
Quiet on the lobbying front so far are religious institutions and non-profits who also stand to be big losers if the standard deduction is doubled (to 24,000 for married couples filing jointly) with no corresponding credit to their donors. Doubling the standard deduction will reduce the likelihood that taxpayers will contribute to non-profits both religious and secular because the expanded deduction means they likely won’t benefit by claiming a deduction.
Like many families, mine makes substantial contributions to 501© 3 organizations - religious and secular. We currently benefit by itemizing on our federal tax returns while supporting work we believe in. Doubling the standard deduction will change the terms of that calculus to the detriment of the receiving institutions.
Given that the homebuilders and other Big Lobby players are being privately courted by Republican tax bill writers, specifics of the legislation may change in their favor. Unlikely to change by the time the public is finally let in on the proposed plan is the damage to religious institutions and secular non-profits. If Trumptax doubles the standard deduction with no corresponding credit for contributions made, many taxpayers will be incentivized to contribute less, perhaps much less, to religious and secular organizations.
Frank C. Pierson, Jr.
Editor, www.democraticfaith.com
Some have begun to realize they traded orthodoxy for political expediency.
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Evangelicals and Catholics made their peace. Catholics are paying the price. |
TMO drives $27M in Food Aid to Families Surviving Hurricane Harvey
Sheila Jackson Lee Celebrated for Her Involvement in Extending D-SNAP Services in Houston, KIAH Newsfix
State Health Officials Continue Harvey Food Assistance Program, Houston Chronicle [pdf]
TMO Demands Extension of Deadline for Harvey Victims to Sign Up for D-SNAP, Houston Public Media
Community Leaders Push for D-SNAP Extension, Click 2 Houston
Appeal for Aid on Behalf of Needy, Houston Chronicle [pdf]
TMO Press Statement
State Health Officials Continue Harvey Food Assistance Program, Houston Chronicle [pdf]
TMO Demands Extension of Deadline for Harvey Victims to Sign Up for D-SNAP, Houston Public Media
Community Leaders Push for D-SNAP Extension, Click 2 Houston
Appeal for Aid on Behalf of Needy, Houston Chronicle [pdf]
TMO Press Statement
Metro/EBC targets local City council member
Darlene Mealy on the hotseat
This month, thousands of leaders from East Brooklyn Congregations and Metro Industrial Areas Foundation rallied at City Hall to push the mayor to radically expand his housing efforts to reverse the waves of evictions ravaging our communities. Seemingly in response, the mayor announced new plans that will up the goal of affordable housing preserved and produced by another 100,000 units.
Meanwhile our local City Council member, Darlene Mealy, is trying to block two ultra-affordable apartment developments in Brownsville and Ocean Hill. That’s why our next rally is outside her Brooklyn office on Thursday. Read more.
Meanwhile our local City Council member, Darlene Mealy, is trying to block two ultra-affordable apartment developments in Brownsville and Ocean Hill. That’s why our next rally is outside her Brooklyn office on Thursday. Read more.
Why They Rallied Big In New York City
Metro IAF excels in challenge to Mayor de Blasio
Previous mayors – Democrat, Republican and Independent – learned something that this mayor has not: we can't be crushed or co-opted. Millions of New Yorkers are depending on us to deliver solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Our success is measured in impact and results, not effort and nice words. Read more in the Slant.
Flim Flam Man Naked in the public square:
"The wife of an army sergeant also killed in Afghanistan told CNN that she had been told to wait by her phone for a call from the president. The call never came, she said."
VOICE/IAF Goes Big: Major intervention in Virginia Reshapes State Politics
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Nearly 1,600 Metro IAF Virginians from 58 VOICE congregations and schools throughout northern Virginia secured commitments from Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates Mr. Ed Gillespie (R) and Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam (D) to raise Virginia's felony larceny level, increase support for public schools and the Housing Trust Fund, fix Washington's crumbling public transit, support DREAMers and convene law enforcement and educators to end hate crimes and bullying. Leaders and Clergy from all different faiths and ethnicities packed a Prince William County high school auditorium and reignited the call for "We the People," a building of the citizen power required to demand action on its statewide Election Agenda, to forge alliances across the political and economic spectrum to move on these issues, and to compromise where necessary to create change.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has got Trump's number; makes POTUS look like lightweight
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Should Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval Be Our Next president?
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Blowout Rally Targets NYC Mayor De Blasio
Metro IAF and East Brooklyn Congregations Fight for Affordable housing backed by 6,000+
NY Daily News rally coverage: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/thousands-slam-mayor-de-blasio-housing-plan-city-hall-rally-article-1.3551921
NY Daily News editorial #1: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/build-bigger-bill-create-housing-new-yorkers-article-1.3546467
NY Daily News editorial #2: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/de-blasio-base-bites-back-article-1.3552338 (both very strong endorsements of Metro IAF)
NY Daily News columnist Harry Siegel: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/holding-de-blasio-affordable-housing-promise-article-1.3546361
NY Daily News pre-coverage: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/5-000-demonstrators-plan-rip-de-blasio-housing-plan-article-1.3549934
NY Daily News column by Reverend David Brawley & Grant Lindsay from a couple weeks ago: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/mayor-bigger-building-housing-article-1.3507036
NY Daily News editorial #1: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/build-bigger-bill-create-housing-new-yorkers-article-1.3546467
NY Daily News editorial #2: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/de-blasio-base-bites-back-article-1.3552338 (both very strong endorsements of Metro IAF)
NY Daily News columnist Harry Siegel: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/holding-de-blasio-affordable-housing-promise-article-1.3546361
NY Daily News pre-coverage: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/5-000-demonstrators-plan-rip-de-blasio-housing-plan-article-1.3549934
NY Daily News column by Reverend David Brawley & Grant Lindsay from a couple weeks ago: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/mayor-bigger-building-housing-article-1.3507036
olitico:http://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2017/10/09/thousands-march-on-city-hall-to-demand-more-action-on-affordable-housing-114934
AMNY: http://www.amny.com/real-estate/housing-advocates-rally-at-city-hall-park-1.14402538
Patch: https://patch.com/new-york/downtown-nyc/thousands-rally-outside-city-hall-demand-more-affordable-housing-de-blasio (great photo!)
City Limits: https://citylimits.org/2017/10/10/massive-rally-demands-adoption-of-alternative-housing-proposals/
AMNY: http://www.amny.com/real-estate/housing-advocates-rally-at-city-hall-park-1.14402538
Patch: https://patch.com/new-york/downtown-nyc/thousands-rally-outside-city-hall-demand-more-affordable-housing-de-blasio (great photo!)
City Limits: https://citylimits.org/2017/10/10/massive-rally-demands-adoption-of-alternative-housing-proposals/
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Rules for the NFL’s Radicals: You have the public’s attention
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On the Carnage in las Vegas by frank C. Pierson, Jr. |
Breitbart and Axios triangulate on Trump BS
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Axios: Homeland security adviser pushes upbeat PR campaign for Puerto RicoVox: Puerto Rico is all our worst fears about Trump coming real
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Talent heads north
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Trump's Anti-Immigrant policies dumb down america |
Flim Flam Man Called Out
"Disgraceful" Says Puerto Rican Born US Congressman
Trump plays blame the victims
Reaction To Trump Twitter Blast At Mayor of San juan Touts DIY From New Jersey Club
“Is your ego so fragile & your heart so cold that you’d attack a leader in the midst of a humanitarian crisis because she needs your help?” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) tweeted at Trump on Saturday.
“You watch TV & tweet insults at their leaders from your golf club,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) tweeted.
“You watch TV & tweet insults at their leaders from your golf club,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) tweeted.
US Senator Mike Enzi slimes Medicare
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Trump said Medicare wouldn’t get cut. Senate Republicans really wish they could do it.
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“FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico. Massive food & water delivered,” the president tweeted.
Flim Flam Man Creates Giant Sinkhole of Truth
But the call for more help grew increasingly urgent. “There is a crisis in Puerto Rico,” tweeted Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida. “Fuel, water & medicine sitting at the docks. Need immediate response by US military. Where is the cavalry?”
Flim Flam Man peddles more bs
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The Republican tax “plan” is a deficit-busting mess. And it would slash the president’s taxes. |
Christian Supremacist Blows Trump Backed Candidate Out Of the Water
Moore Destroys Hapless Senator Luther Strange in Repub Alabama primary
Judge Roy Moore, batty as a hoot owl, rides in triumphant
Never Mind, We Aren't Voting
Senate Repubs Pull Zombie Trumpcare
Graham/Cassidy goes back to the crypt for now
Not likely to be A Good Day For These Two
Nut job Roy Moore looks like a winner in Alabama senate primary
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Cassidy's Zombiecare looks like a loser in Senate
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Trump seeks to derail Moore In Alabama Senate Race; NRA plays backup; Big test of trump coattails tuesday!
Senator Luther Strange, hanging by a thread in Alabama. Can Trump and the NRA save him?
The Gospel According To Trump
Bad KNeeling vs. Good Kneeling
Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christianities on its knees
Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow
Bald Faced
GOP Colorado senator Cory Gardner Says Repealing ObamaCare 'has nothing to do with politics'
Colorado contortionist Senator Cory Gardner
Trump Blasts Black Athlete Ingrates
Dogwhistles Southern Whites At Alabama RAlly
Ecstatic Crowd Cheers Madly; "Thank You Jesus!"
Alabama "Christians" loving on Trump
Top Louisiana health official rips Cassidy over ObamaCare repeal bill
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First, do no harm?
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Study: 21 million fewer Americans would have health insurance under Graham-Cassidy
Great Job, Billy (Senator Cassidy)!
Zombie Care manages 24 % Approval With Public
Gastroenterologist's Proposal for Nixonian Block Grants on the ropes
Senators Graham and Cassidy (Billy) shepherd Zombie Care
The State Of Health Care Play:
ARIZONA SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN OPPOSES ZOMBIE TRUMPCARE
Cassidy/Graham Legislation In Deep Trouble
Senators Cassidy and Graham with Senator McConnell looking on
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“You have to have a car to get into, and this is the only car there is,” Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) said. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Aggressive Organizing By EPISO/Border Interfaith Hits Home: $2 Million Water Line Extension For Colonia Island
After a brutal political fight two Texas IAF organizations have broken through a dense web of irresponsibility spun by state and local authorities. Construction of the water lines is scheduled to begin in October, 2017. Story here.
"In Texas, Distrust of Washington Collides With Need for Federal Aid"
- Richard Fausett, The New York Times
"Ending DACA would be Trump’s most evil act"
Writes Jennifer Rubin in the Washington Post
A Stunner From Greater Cleveland Congregations
"Petitioners put democracy on display and now it's time for a deal or a vote on funding for 'The Q': Michael K. McIntyre in Cleveland.com"
The Rev. Jawanza Colvin and the Rev. Richard Gibson hold out their arms as if awaiting handcuffs in May when City Council leadership refused to accept petitions to compel a vote on The Q renovation deal. The Ohio Supreme Court later compelled council to accept the petitions, though no vote has yet been taken to put the issue on the ballot. (Robert Higg/Cleveland.com )
The Metropolitan Organization/IAF
Hurricane Harvey Devastates Metropolitan Houston
Crisis Response And Long Term Rebuild
Echoes Of Katrina
TMO has created two avenues for your donations to support immediate relief AND a strategy to rebuild after the flooding is over. If you would like to contribute to this effort please follow this link to our contribution page. Contributions made to TMO are not tax exempt, but all funds will go toward direct service of those in need and toward a strategy to reorganize and rebuild communities.
"Where our democracy thrives: everywhere" by Michael Gecan
"If Alexis de Tocqueville were to rise from his grave and reprise his 1831 tour of America, he would find citizens gathering in increasing numbers — in part because they always have, in part because the two main parties have forsaken pragmatism for partisan point-scoring. Those citizens are solving problems that range from the very local to very large and broad." Story in New York Daily News
Car Plows Into Crowd as Racial Tensions Boil Over in Virginia
Donald Trump Ducks And Covers At His Golf Club:
"many sides" to the violence says he
Fails to Condemn White Supremacists
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"The late, great Gore Vidal said that we live in “The United States of Amnesia.” Our fatal forgetfulness flares when white bigots come out of their closets, emboldened by the tacit cover they’re given by our president. We cannot pretend that the ugly bigotry unleashed in the streets of Charlottesville, Va., this weekend has nothing to do with the election of Donald Trump." Michael Eric Dyson in the NY Times.
Big News From Greater Cleveland Congregations
Court Backs Community Benefits Agreement
Greater Cleveland Congregations, the organization leading the regional opposition to the Q Deal, released a statement saying they were "pleased" with the ruling.
"GCC maintains its position that a substantive Community Benefits Agreement which recognizes the significant public dollars committed to this deal is in the best interest of all parties, most importantly, the people of the City of Cleveland," the group said. "We remain open and invite our elected, civic and business leaders to the table to begin this conversation." Story here.
"GCC maintains its position that a substantive Community Benefits Agreement which recognizes the significant public dollars committed to this deal is in the best interest of all parties, most importantly, the people of the City of Cleveland," the group said. "We remain open and invite our elected, civic and business leaders to the table to begin this conversation." Story here.
COPS / Metro Alliance Wins $6.5 Million for Housing Rehab
San Antonio, TX -- Four months after a nonpartisan accountability assembly in which 750 COPS / Metro leaders secured public commitments of support for housing rehabilitation from city council candidates, the San Antonio City Council unanimously voted to support the allocation of $6.5 Million during the next year. This represents a 261% increase in funding and will allow the city to rehab 81 homes in the next fiscal year, compared to 25 in the current year.
Do Not Stand Idly By/IAF Charges Forward In NYC
Huge Turnout Strikes Blow For Gun Safety
Glock On The Spot
Over 1000 leaders from East Brooklyn Congregations, Manhattan Together, South Bronx Churches Sbc and Westchester United celebrated when NYPD Commissioner O'Neill committed to meet with Glock to get them to cut off bad apple gun dealers. A major win for Do Not Stand Idly By! Continue to push him to take more action to protect immigrants. Work ongoing to get NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) Commissioner Maria Torres Springer to build more affordable housing open to everyone. Metro IAF , METRO IAF NY.
Impressive Organizing By DuPage United/Fox River Valley Initiative
IAF In Suburban Chicago Presses Multi Issue Agenda
Turnout Tops 500 In Regions Largest Ever Non-Partisan Political Event
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Housing, mental health, criminal justice dominate agenda. Political leaders and state's top law enforcement officer and several police chiefs called to account
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Local Buying Blitz
Together Jackson/IAF Attacks Food Desert With Institutional Muscle
Working Together Jackson doesn't want to see any other communities void of a grocery store.
"We want to make sure not only this store, but we want to support this store but all over Jackson," explained Ronnie Crudup, Jr., Working Together Jackson member. "Like we said, a month ago there's a Save-A-Lot that closed in North Jackson. And now that's a food desert out there. So, we've got to make sure we bring quality fruits, vegetables, and produce all around the city of Jackson." Full MSN coverage here.
"We want to make sure not only this store, but we want to support this store but all over Jackson," explained Ronnie Crudup, Jr., Working Together Jackson member. "Like we said, a month ago there's a Save-A-Lot that closed in North Jackson. And now that's a food desert out there. So, we've got to make sure we bring quality fruits, vegetables, and produce all around the city of Jackson." Full MSN coverage here.
Arizona Senator John McCain Votes No On Trumpcare!
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And you, Senator McCain? What say you?
McCain huddles with Dems1:21 a.m.
McCain huddled with Democrats on the Senate floor, including leadership from the other side of the aisle.
Afterward, Pence went over to talk to McCain. Then McCain left the Senate floor and went into the cloakroom.
Washington Post: In a statement after the vote, McCain said Congress “must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of the aisle, heed the recommendations of the nation’s governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people.”
McCain huddles with Dems1:21 a.m.
McCain huddled with Democrats on the Senate floor, including leadership from the other side of the aisle.
Afterward, Pence went over to talk to McCain. Then McCain left the Senate floor and went into the cloakroom.
Washington Post: In a statement after the vote, McCain said Congress “must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of the aisle, heed the recommendations of the nation’s governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people.”
Big VOICE/IAF Move On Affordable Housing In Alexandria, Virginia
An increasingly powerful coalition of faith-based activists won a commitment from a majority of the Alexandria City Council Tuesday night to increase support for public housing and affordable housing in the city.
About 200 supporters and members of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) jammed St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Alexandria to call for stronger commitments and more money to house lower-income residents who increasingly find themselves priced out of areas once affordable to them. Read more from WaPo article.
About 200 supporters and members of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) jammed St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Alexandria to call for stronger commitments and more money to house lower-income residents who increasingly find themselves priced out of areas once affordable to them. Read more from WaPo article.
Affordable Housing May Soon Get $75 Million In Funding Thanks To Efforts Of One/LA/IAF
On July 16, members of One LA-IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation), an interfaith organization for social reform, met with elected officials at St. Thomas the Apostle School to confirm their commitment to various key policies. More than 350 community members and civic, labor and faith leaders from the Los Angeles area attended the meeting, including Bishop David O’Connell, episcopal vicar for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged his support for the linkage fee, a plan to make luxury real estate developers pay a fee for each new building in order to finance the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Linkage fees would result in an estimated $75 million to $92 million each year for building new (or renovating existing) affordable housing units. Story from Angelus.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged his support for the linkage fee, a plan to make luxury real estate developers pay a fee for each new building in order to finance the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Linkage fees would result in an estimated $75 million to $92 million each year for building new (or renovating existing) affordable housing units. Story from Angelus.
Dallas Area Interfaith Challenges Vicious Assault On Human Dignity
Legislation Targeting Sanctuary Cities Signed By Far Right Texas Governor Greg Abbott (SB 4) Scares Immigrant Families Away From Reporting Crimes
DAI Plots Response With Local Law Enforcement
Senior minister Jonathan Morrison, with the Cedar Crest Church of Christ in east Oak Cliff, in his church's sanctuary. (Ron Baselice/Staff Photographer)
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The Rev. Jesus Belmontes of San Juan Diego Catholic Church in Dallas (Ron Baselice/Staff Photographer)
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700 Dallas Area Interfaith leaders confront immigrant fears of reporting crime fueled by SB 4. Also front and center were stories of domestic violence, children who are afraid their parents will be deported, and a grandmother who's unarmed grandson was shot six times and killed by DPD whose only crime was eating chicken on the side of the road. Attention was also given to wage theft as 1 in 5 workers in Dallas are victims. DAI has worked with DPD over the last year to report on and prosecute employers who rob workers of their wages.
Belmontes said anxieties spread like an epidemic within his all-Hispanic, 8,000-member congregation in May after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas' sanctuary cities ban, also known as SB4.
North Texas Religious Leaders Step Up to Speak Out Against State's SB4 Immigration Law, Dallas Morning News
Inmigrantes Buscan Refugio en sus Iglesias Por Temor a Leyes Migratorias Como SB4, Al Dia Dallas
Dallas Police Chief Candidates in Town for Interviews, FOX News
Dallas Police Asst. Chief Gary Tittle Responds to Question About SB4, Diane Solis - Dallas Morning News
DAI Leaders Commit to Working with Police, Allison Harris - FOX 4 News
Video, Judge Brandon Birmingham
Belmontes said anxieties spread like an epidemic within his all-Hispanic, 8,000-member congregation in May after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas' sanctuary cities ban, also known as SB4.
North Texas Religious Leaders Step Up to Speak Out Against State's SB4 Immigration Law, Dallas Morning News
Inmigrantes Buscan Refugio en sus Iglesias Por Temor a Leyes Migratorias Como SB4, Al Dia Dallas
Dallas Police Chief Candidates in Town for Interviews, FOX News
Dallas Police Asst. Chief Gary Tittle Responds to Question About SB4, Diane Solis - Dallas Morning News
DAI Leaders Commit to Working with Police, Allison Harris - FOX 4 News
Video, Judge Brandon Birmingham
El Floppo
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President Eschews Exercise And Politics; Loyal Followers Cheer Him On
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Trump Gags As Trumpcare Is Set Ablaze
Desperate Appeals Fall Flat
Senators Lee and Moran trash Trumpcare. Trump blames fake news. Supporters fatigued but resolute.
