Action Alert 1: Picket Costco for striking Palermo workers
Background: This Saturday, August 25, is a
national day of action in support of the striking Palermo workers in Milwaukee. Palermo's Pizza workers
went on strike June 1, to demand safe working conditions, the recognition of their union and the reinstatement of 75 people who they say were fired for organizing. Costco is the largest seller of Palermo's Pizza and has a Supplier Code of Conduct that includes workplace safety and employee rights. In addition to boycotting Palermo's products, the striking workers are asking supporters to increase the pressure on Costco.
Take Action: This Saturday from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, there will be
informational pickets outside three Costco stores in Wisconsin:
at 950 Port Washington Rd in Grafton,
2150 Deming Way in Middleton, and
443 Pewaukee Rd in Pewaukee. There will be a free bus to the Grafton picket, leaving from
Voces de la Frontera at 1027 S 5th St in Milwaukee at 11 am. You can also
sign a petition to Costco, here.
Contact for more info: Voces de la Frontera, 414-643-1620 or the South Central Federation of Labor, 608-256-5111 or
TheFed@SCFL.org
Action Alert 2: Respond to Rachel Corrie verdict
Background: Almost a decade after young U.S. activist
Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while nonviolently protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes in Rafah, the verdict in the civil lawsuit over her death will be announced. On Tuesday, August 28, an Israeli court will rule on the Israeli government's responsibility for Rachel's death and its failure to conduct a thorough and credible investigation in the case.
Take Action: Stand with the Corrie family on August 28th, by
signing a petition asking TIAA-CREF to divest from companies profiting from the Israeli occupation, by writing a letter to the editor about the case or by taking
other actions to remember Rachel and call for justice.
Contact for more info: Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, 608-238-1227,
rafahsistercity@yahoo.com
Action Alert 3: Pressure Obama to free Bradley Manning
Background: Accused WikiLeaks whistleblower and U.S. Army intelligence analyst
Bradley Manning has been incarcerated since 2010, initially under conditions so extreme the United Nations special rapporteur on torture found evidence of "
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" and perhaps even torture. In coordinated, veteran-led actions last week,
hundreds rallied at Obama campaign offices, urging the president to pardon Manning. Noting that, "For more than three centuries, Quakers have borne witness to the mistreatment of prisoners," the Madison Friends Meeting recently issued
a statement in support of Bradley Manning.
Take Action: Veterans groups and other Manning supporters are calling for
nonviolent actions at local Obama campaign offices nationwide on Thursday, September 6th, when the president will speak at the Democratic National Convention. You can also call into Obama's national campaign headquarters at 312-698-3670, to urge the president to uphold his promise to protect whistleblowers and retract his remarks proclaiming Manning's guilt.
Contact for more info: WNPJ, 608-250-9240,
diane@wnpj.org
Action Alert 4: Petition for organic heroes (not corporate charlatans)
Background: On November 6, Californians don't just get to vote for president - they get to vote for mandatory labeling of food with genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. Because California is such a large market, the passage of
Proposition 37 would likely lead to clear labeling of GE foods nationwide. The biotech industry and food conglomerates - unfortunately including major organics companies like Horizon Organic and Silk - are spending millions to defeat Proposition 37.
Take Action: Sign
an online petition telling the major organics companies to support consumers' right to know, thanking the supporters of Proposition 37 and encouraging others to become involved.
Contact for more info: The Cornucopia Institute, 608-625-2042,
cultivate@cornucopia.org
608-250-9240, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, 122 State Street, Suite 405A, Madison, WI 53703, Send an email to the office diane@wnpj.org.