The Greene County Democrat

Category: World News

  • Newswire : Poor People’s Campaign and national partners announce, “Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington, D.C. and to the Polls” ahead of 2024 elections

    Rev. William Barber II

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    
Bishop William J. Barber II, president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, alongside Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, led a press conference on Monday at the National Press Club to unveil plans for the “Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington, D.C.: A Call to the Polls and to Vote.”

    Scheduled for June 29th, the assembly aims to commence four months of outreach efforts targeting 15 million poor and low-wage infrequent voters nationwide. According to the study “Waking the Sleeping Giant: Poor and Low-Income Voters in the 2020 Elections,” approximately 85 million eligible voters in the United States are classified as poor or low wage, constituting at least 30% of the electorate. In battleground states, the percentage climbs to over 40%.

    “This is movement time,” declared Bishop Barber. “We are here this morning to mobilize the power of over 33 million infrequent voters, poor and low wage, to demand attention to their concerns in the political arena.”
    Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis echoed this sentiment. “Our goal is to center the desires and political agenda of those who are often left out of the conversation,” Theoharis stated.
    The coalition, comprising representatives from over thirty state coordinating committees, religious organizations, labor unions, and advocacy groups, seeks to mobilize the substantial voting bloc to demand political candidates’ endorsement of a moral agenda addressing the poverty and low-wealth crisis, which claims 295,000 lives annually.
    “Poor and low-wage voters are saying in this season that if you want these votes, talk to poor and low-wage folks,” said Bishop Barber.
    Rev. Mark Thompson, who also works for the National Newspaper Publishers Association, was among the many coalition members who addressed the issues during the news conference, which aired live on C-Span and at BlackPressUSA.com.
    Thompson highlighted the interconnectedness of poverty with various social issues. “Wherever there is a lack of health care and voting rights, LGBT rights and immigrant rights, there is an abundance of poverty,” he asserted. “Wherever there is a lack of jobs and labor unions and sensible gun laws in women’s bodily autonomy, there is an abundance of poverty.”
    He continued: “Wherever there is a lack of racial justice and legal rights, criminal justice reform, access to adequate legal representation, an alternative to incarceration and police reform, wherever those things are in lack, there is an abundance of poverty. Wherever there is a lack of what is now under attack, diversity, equity, and inclusion, affirmative action, investment in education, a lack of educational opportunities, there is an abundance of poverty. Wherever there is lack of religious tolerance, racial harmony, and beloved community, there is an abundance of poverty.”
    The event’s organizers emphasized their commitment to empowering impoverished and low-wage individuals, aiming to amplify their voices in the political discourse. Rev. Thompson concluded, “I contend we do not need to ask permission to finish Dr. King’s work. He did not retire. It is our duty to pick up his baton and move forward. They always talk about the people who don’t want to vote. They never talk about the impoverished and low-wage individuals. We want to lift them and bring them forth. If we address these issues, we will address all these others.”
    As the nation gears up for the 2024 elections, Bishop Barber, the Poor People’s Campaign, and its allies assert that they are poised to make their presence felt, advocating for policies that address the systemic issues perpetuating poverty and economic inequality across the country.
    “We want to lift them up and bring them forth. If we address these issues, we will address all these others,” Thompson insisted.

  • Newswire : Community events held to overcome political opposition to union election for UAW representation at Mercedes Benz plant in Vance, Alabama set for May 13-17

     

    Rally held in Tuscaloosa in support of Mercedes Benz workers

     

    By Pat Bryant
    A big battle between workers at Mercedes Benz Vance plant near Tuscaloosa, Ala and its German employer is about to come to a head. Voting begins on whether workers will be represented by the United Auto Worker (UAW) on May 13 through 17 and results will be announced May 17 by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). UAW has been on a roll. Southern worker oppression, tough and unapologetic, seems crumbling. A rather festive weekend of worker support events attracted community supporters in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.
    The United Auto Workers has filed a complaint with the NLRB of illegal company captive employee meetings and firing of workers who are advocating for unionization. Spokesman for Mercedes denies those allegations. This union battle follows a massive win of workers at the Tennessee Volkswagen plant, another German auto giant in which workers chose the United Auto Workers by a landslide. In Alabama, the main issue is pay and use of “temp workers”. A company spokesperson would not comment on pay structure.
    Unionizing workers catch more hell in the South with elected leaders promising industrialists to provide docile workers in anti-union environments, nearly free land and no or low property taxes, and companies sometime keep state withholding taxes.
    But feeling the power grip over workers slipping Governor Kay Ivey spoke in the media to company officials: “you need to fix this” referring to the system of threats and intimidation unique in the South. Alabama is a right to work state. That means every attempt of workers to organize is met with crushing company and government opposition. Employers can use the capital punishment for workers—firing—with no recourse. Workplaces that have unions provide a level of protection against unreasonable employer actions complained of at Mercedes Benz. Conversations with workers and community leaders show excitement and anticipation.
    Several Democratic Party leaders came to support workers in weekend events in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. The festive events with barbeque, music, and gelato in toasty heat. Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, Alabama Democratic Party assistant chairperson Tabitha Isner, Birmingham’s Joshua Raby, the party Disability Chair were among many others that mixed with community leaders supporting workers.
    Senator Jones said he was expecting as big a landslide in Alabama as at the Volkswagen vote in Tennessee.
    Austin Brooks, an employee has been at the plant two years was excited. But Brooks says workers are frightened to the extent that many will not take a union flyer. Austin says employees are temps for a year, and if they don’t rub anybody the wrong may become permanent.
    10 year employee Jacob Rines, was a temp worker at Mercedes for 5 years 2 months and 19 days before he was hired full-time. The six foot six husky guy may have rubbed someone the wrong way. The present campaign is his second time supporting unions at the factory. The rapid pace that workers have signed cards to unionize, he says, is amazing. He contributes worker excitement to the Big Three Automakers, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, contracting last year with United Auto Workers in a big 25 percent and higher pay raise. “It is proving that with a union we can win and get our fair share of representation”, Rine said.
    Dr. Pam Foster, a medical doctor and medical school professor, said she is excited about the “possibilities of a union victory in Alabama”. She is a Alabama leader in the Poor People’s Campaign that will bring its leader the Rev. Dr. William Barber to Mercedes’ Vance factory on May 13th, the day voting begins. Barber’s presence will certainly boost a vote for unionization.
    The South’s continued history of slavery, division and oppression of workers, is on the line. Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Mississippi governors released a joint letter recently urging their followers to hold the line and not allow United Auto Workers to win at Volkswagen, Mercedes and other southern plants. That did not work in Tennessee.
    Now local chambers of commerce, some elected and appointed officials are busy trying to hold the line, reportedly through fear and intimidation tactics. There are anit-worker videos and ads on television outlets, radio stations, Facebook, Instagram and newspapers. State and company pressure for a no vote is on.
    Former crimson tide and NFL cornerback Antonio Langham was at a rally held at Tuscaloosa’s Christian Community Church and encouraged workers. Langham said NFL players got better health care because of the NFL Players Association fighting for workers against team owners. With the UAW, workers can do the same, he said.
    No one that this writer met in a two-day swing through Alabama seemed to know much about Mercedes Benz history. The company has unions in its German factories. Its existence in Alabama seems contingent on keeping an anti-union environment.
    The company seems to have decided to go along with the South’s program. Fear in the workplace is an example. The company has a history of going along with the program.
    When Hitler rose to power in 1932 Mercedes factories had 6,000 plus employees. As Hitler made war in Europe Germany’s troops captured hundreds of thousands of Jews and others. 60,000 became slaves in Mercedes factories. The auto giant had 68,000 plus workers by the end of WWII. The company apologized in the 1980’s and paid a small $12 million reparations to its victims. The company did not respond to questions about its WWII history.
    *Pat Bryant is a long time southern poet, community organizer, and journalist reporting and writing about the southern civil rights and human rights movement

  • Mark Your Calendars

    Preparing for the 49th annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival

    By Carol Prejean Zippert

    Just four months before the annual community celebration of the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, scheduled for August 24 -25, 2024 on the Thomas Gilmore Courthouse Square in Eutaw, and phone calls, texts, emails, and other contacts are pouring in with the perennial question: We’re having the Festival this year, right? The inquiries are more a declaration than a question. So, yes community, we are preparing for the 49th Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.
    The festival was organized in 1975 to pay tribute to those persons recognized as bearers of the folkway, traditions and culture of the West Alabama Region, exemplified through their creations in craft, music, dance, storytelling and foodways. Recently, in observance of National Small Business Week, Representative Terri Sewell toured small businesses in her 7th Congressional District, stopping for lunch at Travis Chicago Style, a locally owned food truck in Birmingham known for their Polish Sausage and Bear Burgers. Travis Holmes is a regular at the annual festival. During the two-day festival activities, the line of folk eager for his delicacies is unending, continuing long after the day’s programs are closed down.
    Many of the festival’s founding elders, the bearers of the culture, have transitioned, signaling a greater need to preserve the stories of struggle, perseverance and the joy shared in How we made it over. Saturday’s Ole Timey Blues recounts hardship and pain. Sunday’s Ole Timey Gospel lifts the spirit in the joy of faith and hope. The grateful music is accented by the colorful crafts that adorn the grounds as well.
    There are fewer quilts, baskets and other traditional crafts of the earlier years, but the young folk come with their own brand of “handmade.” They bring a variety of handcrafted jewelry and other adornments; home made soaps in exotic scents but with useful purposes. They bring art works depicting their views of the world, or just living in a day. They offer decorative items to cheer a body and a home. But the young crafters come and claim the festival in their own ways.
    Belt Folk Roots Festival will again feature the Kid’s Tent with hands-on art workshops. The Kid’s Tent is a special adventure for children at the festival.  They don’t have to do “grown folk stuff.” They have their own piece of the celebration.  Various art supplies are provided for the children to work at their own creations, which they can keep.  The Kid’s Tent also offers pottery making, face painting and games.
    There are costs in producing the festival and we are grateful for the contributors who value the festival, including the Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Power Foundation, Black Belt Community Foundation, grants from Legislators, other non-profits and local merchants. We appreciate the support of local and county government.
    This festival in unique in that there is no admission charge, simply because it is a community celebration. It would be like charging your family a fee to come home for Thanksgiving. The festival brings people together because they need and desire to be together.
    So, yes community, we are preparing for the 49th annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.

  • Newswire: Haiti’s transitional government weighs future after ‘collapse’ of institutions

     

    By Reuters

    Haiti’s transition council took power in a ceremony on Thursday, formalizing the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry as the Caribbean country seeks to establish security after years of gang violence wreaking chaos and misery.
    Henry’s finance minister, Michel Patrick Boisvert, will be interim prime minister until the transition council appoints a new head of government, a cabinet and a provisional electoral council set to pave the way for an eventual vote.
    “Today is an important day in the life of our dear republic, this day in effect opens a view to a solution,” Boisvert said after the nine-person transition council were sworn in on Thursday morning.
    Regine Abraham, a non-voting council member, thanked Haiti’s security forces and international mediators, and said the council would focus on security, a national consultation on constitutional reform, preparing for elections, rebuilding the judiciary system and the economy.
    “We are seeing the total collapse of our institutions and failure of a government,” she said. Port-au-Prince residents have “literally been taken hostage,” she added. “Facing this unprecedented crisis, the entire population has recognized the urgent need of a firm hand to take us out of this spiral of despair and destruction.”
    Even as the council was sworn in, local media reported houses being set on fire and shooting in the capital’s downtown and Delmas areas, posting photos of columns of gray smoke rising above the skyline and videos of families leaving the area with their belongings.
    Armed gangs, equipped with weapons trafficked largely from the United States, have for years tightened their grip on the capital and sought to topple Henry. Since he pledged to resign last month, they have called for a broader “revolution”.
    Earlier this week, gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier warned members of the transition council to “brace” themselves”. Unverified voice recordings circulated on social media over the weekend in which Cherizier appeared to order his soldiers to indiscriminately burn houses in Lower Delmas, an impoverished part of the capital where he grew up.
    At the ceremony, hosted amid tight security at the prime minister’s Villa d’Accueil office, Boisvert and members of the transition council were flanked by top police and military officials.
    Henry announced last month he would resign once the council was in place, initially expected to happen within a couple of days but delayed amid disagreements as to who should sit on it.
    Henry had left Haiti in late February seeking support for the country’s outgunned police but was left stranded in Puerto Rico as the gangs threatened to completely take over the capital. Boisvert has served as acting prime minister in Henry’s absence.
    The transitional government’s mandate runs until February 2026, by when there are slated to be elections, and cannot be renewed. No date has been set for its naming of a new prime minister or council president.
    ‘Complex interregnum’
    “We just hope the council will quickly choose a president or coordinator in order to move onto the second phase, which is the appointment of a prime minister and the members of government,” said James Boyard, a security expert at the State University of Haiti.
    “The new transitional government has a lot of work ahead of it, and alongside security all the issues are urgent.”
    Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, warned of tensions within the council as different factions jostled for power, and a “long and rocky road ahead.”
    Local organization Together Against Corruption (ECC) published a letter calling on the new authorities to be financially transparent to “prove their will to help build a government that breaks with the past.”
    The council’s installation is seen as a key step towards the deployment of a multinational security mission Henry requested back in 2022 and the United Nations approved more than six months ago. Though, Kenya offered to lead this mission, plans were put on hold last month pending the establishment of a new Haitian government.
    U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the new authorities to implement new governance arrangements swiftly to allow for the mission’s deployment. The mission has received less cash and fewer troops than the U.N. has said it needs.
    The council members must, as per the decree installing them, support the mission’s “accelerated deployment.” But some Haitians are wary after previous international interventions left behind a deadly cholera outbreak and sexual abuse scandal.
    Others hope the mission could help restore much-needed security and pave the way for eventual elections.
    According to U.N. estimates, more than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January through March, while hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced and millions are facing catastrophic hunger.
    Key ports have been closed for more than a month, but on Thursday Florida-based non-profit Hope for Haiti said a first humanitarian flight since the capital’s airport shut down had landed in Port-au-Prince: a U.S. military plane bringing 20 pallets of rehydration solution for cholera patients.
    Separately, Haiti’s national police said it received a shipment of equipment paid for by Haiti’s government and flown in by U.S. authorities.
    Foreign diplomats hailed the ceremony as an important step to restore security, and Kenyan President William Ruto said the nation stands “ready and willing” with its counterparts to “rapidly execute the security support infrastructure.”
    “Kenya assures the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti of its full support as it shepherds the country through this complex interregnum,” Ruto said on X.
    The council members installed were the same as announced last week: seven voting members, all men, including representatives from various political parties as well as former diplomats, a barrister, and a businessman, and two non-voting observers: a pastor and former government adviser.
    “We continue the fight for the transformation of our country,” former central bank governor Fritz Alphonse Jean, one of the council members, said on X. “The country needs the talents of all its sons and daughters here and in the diaspora for the construction of the new Haiti.”

  • Newswire : Freshman CBC Member Congresswoman Summer Lee wins big after being targeted by AIPAC

    Congresswoman Summer Lee of Pennsylvania

    By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
     
    Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), who was formally targeted for defeat by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) won her primary challenge on April 23.
    Rep. Lee won easily over a primary candidate recruited by AIPAC, 61 percent to 31 percent. On the last weekend of the primary campaign, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned alongside Lee.
    Along with the NRA and Planned Parenthood, AIPAC is one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in U.S. politics. Back in September 2023, it was revealed that AIPAC was recruiting candidates to primary Black members of Congress who spoke out in support of stipulations on U.S. aid to Israel. Israel receives over $3.3 billion annually from the U.S.
    AIPAC has many Republican donors but the group has also funded members of the CBC. The list includes Maryland Rep. Rep. Glenn Ivey, House Democratic Caucus Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Rep. Valerie Foushee of North Carolina, Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown, and New York Rep. Rep. Ritchie Torres.
    Though Torres’ Bronx New York district is 54 percent Hispanic and 30 percent Black, with an average household income of only $42,000, Torres is one of the loudest and most energetic defenders of Israel in the U.S Congress.
    Rep. Lee, who represents parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, is the first member of “The Squad” to face a 2024 primary challenge during the 2024 election cycle. Lee’s district is 72 percent white and 15 percent Black. Her decisive victory will likely signal how strong progressive power is currently and how voters view the current conflict in the Middle East. Rep. Lee supports Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal and a ceasefire in Gaza.
    After the October 7, 2023 attack by the militant Palestinian terrorist group Hamas that killed over 1,300 Israelis, the Israeli government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas. Since October 2023 over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces. Many elected officials on the left are defining Israeli’s military reaction against Palestine “genocide.”
    “The Squad” in congress is made up of the most progressive Democrats who often speak out on what they view as anti-corporate politics focused on principle.  But their positions on the Middle East, which tend to speak out against the decisions of the Israeli government, have put them at odds with AIPAC.
    Rep. Lee’s challenger, a member of the local City Council, Bhavini Patel, made her vocal support of Israel a cornerstone of her campaign. She was critical of Congresswoman Lee for her position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Other members of “The Squad” such as Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), are also facing primary challengers supported and funded by AIPAC.
    In Michigan, over 100,000 voters cast their vote as “uncommitted” in order to register a protest against President Biden’s policy on Israel and in favor of a ceasefire. That 13 percent of the vote was a wake-up call for the Biden Administration on Middle East policy. Regardless, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted to send $26 billion to Israel and $60 billion to Ukraine on April 20 and April 23.
    Rep. Summer Lee voted against the total of $95 billion in tax money going overseas to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The legislation also included a ban on the social media app TikTok unless they change their leadership structure.
    Leadership in the Congressional Black Caucus has been almost silent on AIPAC’s funding against incumbent CBC members.
    Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and speaks on Crisis Comms on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

  • Newswire : Supreme Court addresses homelessness

    By: Blackmans Street Today

    The U.S. Supreme Court is taking on the issue of homelessness, which affects large numbers of Black people nationwide because, as a group, we comprise the nation’s largest homeless population. 

    On Monday, the court argued whether local officials could ban homeless men and women from sleeping in the city’s public parks by charging them a fee. The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, charges its homeless residents $295 per night for sleeping outside.

    But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in San Francisco, enjoined Grants Pass from barring the town’s officials from charging men and women who sleep in the parks. 

    A brief, filed on April 3, argues that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment does not allow cities to issue fines or to arrest people for sleeping outside in public when they lack adequate shelter and the means to obtain it. 


    The center of the storm is Grants Pass, Oregon, a town of nearly 40,000 with an estimated homeless population of almost 600. A footnote is that Grants Pass is or was a sundown town where Blacks were prohibited from living like most Oregon cities in the past.

    Today, Grants Pass is 0.8% African American, which is 0.3% of Oregon’s Black population, according to the Oregon Remembrance Project.

    Hundreds of people were outside the Supreme Court Building holding signs that said, “Homelessness is Not a Crime.”

    The case is titled “Grants Pass v. Johnson.”   If the Supreme Court reverses the lower court’s decision, it is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the United States’ homelessness policy.

    Homelessness is a growing problem, especially among Black men who have been largely excluded from any economic recovery. More than 650,000 Americans were homeless during the 2023 Point-in-Time count, which counts the number of homeless people in the U.S. 

    The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is an annual assessment of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at a given moment. Each year, data compiled during the PIT count are analyzed to help inform areas of need and allocate resources for housing and services.

    Among Black men and women, it’s hard to turn your back on the homeless. You see them everywhere. My wife keeps money in her pocket to give to the homeless on a daily basis.

    Nearly 4 in 10 people experiencing homelessness identified as Black, African American, or African, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development recently Point-Time-Count.

    People who identify as Black make up just 13 percent of the total U.S. population but comprise 37 percent of all people experiencing homelessness. 


    In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass is dedicated to reducing homelessness. Bass, when she was campaigning for mayor, said that more than 40,000 Los Angeles residents go to sleep every night without a roof over their heads, and nearly four unhoused Angelenos die every day. Mayor Bass recently declared a state of emergency over the homeless crisis.

    Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked what would happen if Grants Pass’s ban were allowed to stand and other cities adopted similar laws.

    “Where do we put them if every city, every village, every town lacks compassion and passes a law identical to this? Where are they supposed to sleep? Are they supposed to kill themselves, not sleep?” Sotomayor asked.

     

  • Newswire : Vice President Kamala Harris announces Nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour

    Vice President Harris speaks with Black business person

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     

    Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour to spotlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to foster economic growth, build wealth, and ensure American prosperity.

    The tour, which will begin with a moderated conversation in Atlanta on April 29, will see the Vice President visiting several states to emphasize the administration’s commitment to creating an economy where every person can thrive. A subsequent event is scheduled for Detroit, with more dates and locations to be announced soon.

    “President Biden and I are committed to creating an economy in which every person has the freedom to thrive,” Harris stated. “Our economic approach has delivered great progress, and we will continue to invest in you, your family, and your future.”

    During the tour, Harris plans to highlight the administration’s historic investments that have supported communities and individuals. According to a White House Fact Sheet, these include unprecedented investments in small businesses, the fastest creation of Black-owned small businesses in over 30 years, record job creation, increased access to capital for underserved communities, and significant healthcare reforms such as cutting insulin prices and erasing medical debt.

    The vice president will also discuss the administration’s efforts in education, affordable housing, childcare, reproductive freedom, and boosting the wealth of American families. She will describe additional measures the Biden-Harris Administration takes to build on this work.

    The White House said administration officials, members of Congress, local leaders, and others will join Harris on the tour. Officials said the tour builds on Harris’ extensive travel to communities nationwide. Since the beginning of 2024, she has made more than 35 trips to 16 states, engaging with small business owners and entrepreneurs in underserved communities to discuss challenges and opportunities.

    Earlier this year, Harris announced $32 million in funds to support historically underserved entrepreneurs during a visit to Black Wall Street in Durham, NC. She also announced an SBA rule in Las Vegas that ensures individuals who have served time are eligible for SBA loan programs to start and run small businesses.

    Officials said Harris has always supported minority, rural, and low-income communities. Last year, she announced over $1.73 billion in grants to 603 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) through Treasury’s CDFI Fund. In 2022, she launched the Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC), a public-private partnership investing tens of billions of dollars to create opportunity and wealth in historically underserved communities.

    As a senator, Harris secured a transformative $12 billion investment for CDFIs and MDIs in December 2020 and has since worked to ensure the success of these programs. “Since that time, she has worked to ensure these programs are as successful as possible,” administration officials

     

  • Newswire : Mexico’s stand against GMO corn sparks US trade dispute

    By: Ruth Milka, Nation of Change


    The tranquil cornfields that sprawl across North America have unexpectedly become the epicenter of a burgeoning trade dispute between the United States and Mexico. At the heart of the contention is Mexico’s firm stance on banning genetically modified (GM) corn imports, a policy that has prompted the United States to escalate the matter to a dispute settlement panel under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
    Mexico’s Economy Ministry has voiced its intention to robustly defend its GM corn policies, asserting on social media platform X that these policies align with international trade obligations. This declaration sets a defiant tone against the backdrop of the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) accusations that Mexico’s decree infringes upon the scientific standards mandated by the USMCA.
    The USTR, led by Katherine Tai, contends that Mexico’s restrictions on GM corn, especially those used for human consumption like dough and tortillas, lack a scientific foundation and contravene the USMCA’s stipulations. “It is critical that Mexico eliminate its USMCA-inconsistent biotechnology measures,” Tai stated, highlighting the potential of innovative agricultural tools to tackle climate and food security challenges.
    Amidst this dispute, Mexico’s substantial importation of US GM corn, predominantly for livestock feed and valued at around $5 billion annually, hangs in the balance. Mexican authorities argue that biotech corn poses risks to indigenous corn varieties and may have deleterious health impacts—a claim disputed by the US.
    The controversy extends beyond GM corn, with Mexico also moving to ban glyphosate, a herbicide deemed hazardous by Mexican authorities despite global regulatory bodies affirming its safety. This stance has garnered support from various quarters, including Canada, which has expressed concerns similar to those of the US regarding Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies.
    The dispute has cast a shadow over the Chicago Board of Trade, with corn futures experiencing fluctuations amid concerns that US exports to Mexico could be jeopardized. This economic undercurrent underscores the far-reaching implications of the dispute, extending beyond diplomatic corridors to affect global agricultural markets.
    Efforts to resolve the disagreement through formal consultations have proven fruitless, propelling the US to seek arbitration. This decision has been met with applause from US corn trade groups and bipartisan lawmakers, who view Mexico’s policies as detrimental to US agricultural interests.
    As the USMCA mandates, a five-person panel will now be convened to adjudicate the dispute, with panelists drawn from a pre-approved roster of experts. This process, which has previously ruled on matters ranging from Canadian dairy quotas to automotive rules of origin, now faces a contentious issue that strikes at the core of agricultural trade and biotechnology.
    Amidst this complex web of trade, science, and policy, the voices of those most affected—farmers and consumers in both nations—resonate, calling for a resolution that upholds not only the letter of international agreements but also the spirit of fair and sustainable agriculture.
    “We are deeply appreciative of USTR for standing up for America’s corn growers,” expressed Tom Haag of the National Corn Growers Association‘s stand on GMO’s.

  • Newswire : Trump doubles down on racist remarks, advocates for white immigration only

    Immigrants from Latin America try to cross Rio Grande River,on Texas border

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    
Former President Donald Trump has reignited controversy with inflammatory remarks suggesting a preference for immigrants from predominantly white nations while denigrating those from Latin America, and primarily Black nations. At a private event, Trump reportedly joked about welcoming immigrants from “nice” countries like Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway, again demonstrating his racial bias in immigration policy.
    Trump’s comments, revealed by New York Times correspondent and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman, highlight a troubling stance on immigration that aligns with his past rhetoric. The twice-impeached and four-times indicted former president’s insinuation that only immigrants from certain nations are desirable for entry into the United States drew swift condemnation from the Biden-Harris campaign.
    “[The comments] are alarming,” said James Singer, a spokesperson for the Biden-Harris campaign. Singer also noted how Trump has repeatedly praised dictators and declared he’d be a dictator on day one if he’s re-elected. Trump’s campaign declined to comment about what the presumptive GOP nominee said at the private dinner.
    “Why can’t we allow people to come in from nice countries, I’m trying to be nice,” Trump reportedly said. “Nice countries, you know, like Denmark, Switzerland? Do we have any people coming in from Denmark? How about Switzerland? How about Norway?”
    In addition to his discriminatory remarks, Trump blasted Latin American immigrants, likening them to notorious gang members. Critics have said such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exacerbates divisions within society.
    Further, Trump’s speculations about the future of American democracy have raised alarms. Suggesting that the 2024 election could be the last one in the country’s history, Trump’s comments continue his concerning trend of authoritarian rhetoric that undermines democratic norms.
    “This could very well be the last election this country ever has,” Trump said, echoing sentiments often heard at his rallies.
    Trump’s engagement with billionaire backers on taxation matters has further highlighted concerns about cronyism and inequality. By prioritizing tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy, opponents said Trump’s policies perpetuate economic disparities and favor the interests of the elite.
    The Biden-Harris campaign noted the list of billionaires backing Trump, arguing that they’re scammers, racists, and extremists. Among them:
    John Paulson wants to cut Social Security and opposed financial regulations to protect Americans after the 2008 crash, which he profited from.
    Robert Bigelow, who complained he couldn’t evict tenants out of his buildings during the pandemic and supports Florida’s extreme Don’t Say Gay law.
    John Catsimatidis, who compared taxes on the wealthy to Hitler killing Jews and his business, has been forced to pay millions in lawsuits over unfair labor practices and consumer safety violations.
    José “Pepe” Fanjul refused to fire his assistant, who was married to (two!) KKK leaders commented via a company spokesperson that “we wouldn’t terminate them for that.”
    Jamie McCourt pocketed over $10 million from her stock shares before public citizens were made aware of the pandemic’s severity, all while Trump played down the virus.
    Former GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler, who touted 2020 election lies, backed an anti-LGBTQ adoption agency and supported ripping away health care from millions of Americans by repealing the Affordable Care Act.
    Robert Mercer opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, calling it a major mistake, and believed the government was backward for helping “weak people get strong.”
    New York Jets owner, Jeff Yass has avoided $1 billion in taxes and wants to privatize Social Security.
    Woody Johnson has repeatedly disparaged women for their looks and questioned why the Black community celebrates Black History Month.
    Steve Wynn, who was accused by dozens of workers of sexual misconduct.
    Chicago Cubs owner Todd Ricketts, who made his money screwing over retirees by shedding pension obligations and health care promises, opposes the idea that the “government can serve to protect the public’s well-being.”
    Phil Ruffin fought against housekeepers trying to unionize at his Vegas hotel (jointly owned by Donald Trump) and furloughed more than 4,000 of his own employees without pay.
    Wilbur Ross, whom the Biden-Harris campaign said made his fortune laying off American workers and using bankruptcy to strip retirees of health benefits.
    Meanwhile, Singer said its vital American voters reject Trump’s authoritarian impulses and uphold the values of democracy and inclusivity.

    “Independence Day in Donald Trump’s America will apparently no longer be July 4,” Singer stated. “He’s promised publicly he’ll be a dictator on his first day, and now privately muses about this November’s election being our country’s last.

  • Newswire : Alabama Legislature wants state workers to choose Juneteenth or Jefferson Davis’s Birthday

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
    A bill introduced this month in the Alabama Legislature aims to revise the state’s holiday calendar by adding Juneteenth as a recognized state holiday. The proposed legislation, known as HB367, also proposes that state offices will no longer close on Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s birthday, sparking debate among lawmakers and activists.

    The bill seeks to amend Section 138 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which currently lists holidays resulting in state office closures. Under the existing law, state offices close on holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s birthday, and Confederate Memorial Day.

    Alabama GOP Rep. Chris Sells of Greenville, the original proponent of the bill, proposed that government employees could decide whether to take off the first Monday in June for Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s birthday or Juneteenth on June 19. Sells asserted that this proposal does not add another holiday to the existing 13 state holidays, addressing concerns raised by some state legislators. The national average of state holidays is 17, four more than Alabama currently recognizes.

    However, Alabama Democratic Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa argued against the proposal, stating that there are already three state holidays recognizing the Confederacy, making it unnecessary to give employees an either/or choice between Davis’s birthday and Juneteenth.

    The controversial bill comes on the heels of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declaring April 2024 as Confederate Heritage Month in that state, which reportedly keeps alive a 31-year-old tradition that began in 1993. Beauvoir, the Biloxi museum and historic home of Jefferson Davis, which receives funding from the state, announced the proclamation in a Facebook post.

    The Mississippi Free Press reported that Beauvoir is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a neo-Confederate organization that promotes “Lost Cause” ideology, a revisionist history that whitewashes the Confederacy’s racist past and downplays the role of slavery in the Civil War. The Free Press noted that Beauvoir annually receives $100,000 from the State of Mississippi for development and maintenance.

    Meanwhile, the Alabama bill has faced criticism from activists and community leaders. Tuscaloosa County NAACP President Lisa Young expressed concerns over honoring Jefferson Davis, citing his legacy of racist comments and outward support of slavery.

    “Confederate President Jefferson Davis left a legacy of racist comments and outward support of slavery, making many feel a holiday in his honor is inappropriate,” said Young. “One of Davis’s most infamous comments is ‘Our inferior, fitted expressly for servitude.’ We clearly know in 2024 that African Americans have contributed greatly to the growth of the United States and civilization across the world. So, we know that’s a falsehood. And we don’t want to celebrate anybody who held those beliefs.”

    Young described Juneteenth as a learning holiday for the entire state. “Juneteenth represents the day the last slaves in the country learned of their freedom,” she said. “We do better when we know better.”

    If passed, the proposed legislation will add Juneteenth to the list of recognized holidays in Alabama and introduce Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day, set for the first day of December each year. If approved by the Alabama Legislature, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2024.