Come out next Friday. We need your support... Labor Beat Fundraiser Evanston Community Media Center 1285 Hartrey Ave. (off Dempster) Evanston, IL For more info go here... http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=150629768304141&ref=ts Labor Beat Fundraiser 6:30 pm, FRIDAY, SEPT. 24 $20 Suggested Donation Evanston Community Media Center 1285 Hartrey Ave. Evanston, Illinois free parking on site! Join us in an evening of: * Short video segments with comments by Labor Beat producers * Refreshments will be served * Discussions on labor and the media issues * Hosted by Jerry Mead-Lucero of the Labor Express radio show For more info on fundraiser: lduncan@igc.org * 312-226-3330

Here are some links related to the 9-20-2010 episode of Labor Express… GET ON THE BUS! Come to D.C. for the One Nation Working Together March on Washington . Find out more here… http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main For more on the Siege of La Casita, you can check out my blog… http://www.pilsenprole.blogspot.com/ For more on the Chicago Teachers Union’s planned rally tomorrow, check out the CTU’s website… http://www.ctunet.com/ For more on charter school teacher organizing in Chicago , go here… http://www.chicagoacts.org/

Photographer Sarah Jane Rhee was kind enough to send me these pics from the occupation of the Whitter field house which she took last night... http://www.flickr.com/photos/ sierraromeo/5001403178/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ sierraromeo/5001402250/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ sierraromeo/5000800179/ The police apparently came by and harassed some of the sit-in participants last night, but they have not attempted to arrest anybody so far.

The Siege of La Casita: The war at Whittier Elementary School is far from over, but at least the most recent battle has been won. The siege of la casita, the field house which sits in Whittier ’s playground, has been lifted. Since Wednesday parents and community activists have occupied the facility to prevent its demolition by Chicago Public Schools (CPS). They want the field house protected and used, at least temporarily, as a library, a resource the school has been left without for years. They currently use the field house as a community center and a place for various activities for the children. They question CPS’s desire to spend over $300,000 on demolishing the structure rather than spend that money ensuring that the school has the resources its needs. The struggle at Whittier is nothing new. For much of the past decade, parents and community allies have had to fight to keep the school open and than fight yet again to make the smallest of improvements in what is...

Yesterday’s celebration of Mexico ’s bicentennial of its struggle for independence at Millennium Park was great fun. Not only because the music was great (man that kids choir from Michoacán was really something). Not only because the crowd was so festive. Not only because it was terrific to see so many friends and family I haven’t seen in awhile. But because of the surprise protest targeting the Consul General which took place during the El Grito. It was a huge embarrassment for the Consul who was at the center of yesterday’s festivities. Members of Chicago ’s local Mexican community have long felt that the Consul has been disrespectful towards them, placing greater emphasize on creating a cozy relationship with the powers that be than serving the community’s needs. The protest involved the unfurling of 4 banners at strategic locations letting the Consul know he is no longer welcome in Chicago . Now that’s the way to celebrate a revolution. You can find links to my...

This Monday’s episode of Labor Express Radio is a “don’t miss” episode. The entire program will be devoted to my Labor Day weekend visit with the locked out Steelworkers in Metropolis, Illinois, a small blue collar town in the Southernmost corner of the state. Metropolis maybe know as the home of Superman, but the da nger to the residents of Metropolis isn’t kryptonite, it is the toxic substances handled at the Honeywell International Inc. plant located on the outskirts of town. The only uranium conversion plant in the United States, members of Steelworkers Local 7-669 are uniquely skilled and trained to handle radioactive material and highly corrosive acids. But now, locked-out of the plant, the facility is being staffed by poorly trained scabs. There has already been one explosion at the plant on the Sunday before L abor Day. Hear more about how proposed cuts to health care and pension benefits lead to a contract impasse and the eventual lock-out. Hear how the town of 6,000 has ralli...

Hi All, Here is a chance for you to have your say on pilsenprole.blogspot.com I am curious to hear peoples thoughts on the announcement of Daley's retirement and the possible candidates for his replacement. Part of this is motivated by my embarrassment that I was unaware that Rahm Emanuel was one of those thinking about running. Somehow I seem to have missed that statement he apparently made to that effect earlier this year. But according to WBEZ this week, you would think he had already won the election. He is almost the only candidate their talking about. They did mention Miguel De Valle and Tom Dart today as well, but they seem ready to declare Rahm the winner before the race has even started. I knew about De Valle before even WBEZ announcement because there is a meeting of Latino activist planned for Saturday and I know they're are discussing promoting De Valle, or perhaps Jesus Garcia, who is already running for county commissioner. What I am surprised by is that ...

If you haven't already read this, you really must. It is absolutely hilarious as well as poignant, in true Michael Moore fashion. It is really disturbing to think that Rahm Emmanuel could very well be our next Mayor... http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/happy-fuckin-labor-day