We Bailed out the banks, and all I got was this stupid t-shirt

Nearly a year after Congress authorized hundreds of billions of dollars to bailout the financial industry, major banks continue to pay outrageous salaries and bonuses, drive layoffs and foreclosures and spend millions lobbying against the interests of working people. Corporations and the wealthy continue to receive tax-breaks and public subsidies, but fail to create quality jobs for working people or pay their fair share.


Rallies across the country will condemn economic recovery for the “bailout bandits” and “corporate criminals” at Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Actions will call for an end to outrageous subsidies to corporations and demand an economic recovery to provide quality jobs, health care, and housing for working people. In Buffalo, the Coalition for Economic Justice’s action will be focused on the failures of New York’s economic development programs, notably its Empire Zone and Industrial Development Agencies.

Let's continue to let our voices be heard and our message to be clear-BAILING OUT BANKS IS NOT A COMPLETE STEP TOWARDS ECONOMIC RECOVERY!

2010 US Social Forum

http://blip.tv/file/590773

As we gear up for the 2010 US Social Forum, our friends and allies at the Vermont Workers Center sent us this video, capturing their experience at the 2007 US Social Forum. While the video focuses on the VT Workers Center and their delegation,the power of the 2007 Social Forum easily resonates with us all.

We must continue to believe and work towards the concept-Another World IS Possible.

Although the 2010 US Social Forum seems far off-June 22-26- we need to start planning NOW! 2010 Social Forum will be in Detroit, Michigan, one of our Rustbelt Sister Cities and we should be en mass to demonstrate solidarity with Detroit, to share our innovative approaches to accountable economic development,self sufficiency, community power, and to learn from all the other amazing organizations and people immersed in similar fights throughout the world.

If you would like to be a part of the CEJ 2010 US Social Forum Committee, please give us a call at the office. Buffalo should be well represented in Detroit next June.

Another World is Necessary!

Coalition for Economic Justice is located at 237 Main Street-Suite 1200. OR we can be reached at 716.892.5877 or by email-micaela@buffalojwj.org

Bob Grimm

On the morning of August 17th, long time Buffalo advocate, Bob Grimm, peacefully passed away at his home. In his passing, Buffalo lost an amazing, passionate, compassionate man who gave tirelessly to the that which he cared most about; his family, peace, and social and economic justice, not just locally, but globally.

Bob Grimm was one of the co-founders of the Coalition for Economic Justice. In the mid 1980's he and other Buffalonians recognized that the movement of the the local Tri-Co plant as product of a global trend-Globalization. Instead of accepting the departure of this business, which meant loss of jobs and community, the dynamic group of individuals created CEJ, a community of faith, labor, and community to fight back against corporate greed, to hold elected officials accountable, to fight for better wages and job standards for all, and ultimately to fight for human dignity.

His legacy will continue in our work, in our drive to see a better Buffalo and a better world.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Not at the Strike for Justice?

Interesting news items of the day

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/08/unions-mail-against-collins.html

And a report from the folks at NELP on Federal Tax dollars being utilized for poverty wage construction jobs.

http://nelp.3cdn.net/985daceb6c3e450a10_pzm6brsaa.pdf