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High Sex Worker Demand at the Beijing Olympics
United Nations will monitor the status of human rights for women in the countries that have ratified CEDAW.
"Until we have this, we have nothing," said Andrea Blinn of Squirrel Hill, former executive director of the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh who also attended the 1995 Beijing conference.
A report card issued by US Women Connect, a Washington-based group of grassroots and national women's organizations, graded the United States on progress in women's issues since the '95 Beijing conference.
In human rights, the grade was C+. The lackluster ranking was prompted in large part by the CEDAW rejection.
But another reason was an issue that "people in the U.S. don't like to talk about," said Sinha -- child prostitution and the sale of women as sex partners.
"That was one of the issues we focused on in Beijing but it hasn't gone very far," said Sinha. United Nations will monitor the status of human rights for women in the countries that have ratified CEDAW. ... more -
"It Takes Two Brothers to Raise a Village"
This hopeful and uplifting story tells of two brothers from rural Kenya who opened a clinic last year in their home village, a place where the nearest hospital is twenty kilometers on foot. Their efforts honor the memory of their parents who passed away in 2004 and 2005 from HIV/AIDS. This hopeful and uplifting story tells of two brothers from rural Kenya who opened a clinic last year in their home village, a place w... more
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Evangelical movement touts 'Jesus for President'
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- They're spiritual misfits. Rabble-rousers. They packed the shell of the old Baptist church on Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to hear author, Christian activist and fellow misfit Shane Claiborne stump on the campaign for a third party candidate, Jesus.
The dreadlocked Christian activist from Philadelphia and his team parked a black school bus around the back. The hand-painted gold letters on the side read "Jesus for President."
The bus runs on vegetable oil and, yes, it's a political statement.
"It'll be a long time before we fight a war over used veggie oil," says Claiborne with a sly smile.
Claiborne is touring the country, packing churches and community centers, in support of the book he and Chris Haw co-authored, "Jesus for President."
"This whole project is about the political imagination of what it means to follow after Jesus," Claiborne said. "The language of Jesus as Lord and savior is just as radical as it would be to say 'Jesus as our commander in chief' today."
Young evangelicals represent an important swing-voting bloc. They're not a lock for Republicans as their parents were. Their feet are firmly planted on issues dear to both parties. Traditional family values are, as they have been in the past, an important issue.
But these voters say views on abortion and homosexuality won't define them in November. The environment and social justice are moving to the forefront of their discussions.
Don't Miss
About 26 percent of the United States identifies itself as evangelical Christians in the Protestant tradition, according to the latest U.S. Religious Landscape study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. In 2004, more than 75 percent of evangelicals cast their vote for George W. Bush.
"They delivered for him in some key states, like Ohio, without which he could not have won," said CNN's Bill Schneider, senior political analyst. "It was the rallying of the evangelical base that Karl Rove developed as a strategy, maximizing turnout among your base voters, not worrying about independents or swing voters."
----more at story at link---- PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- They're spiritual misfits. Rabble-rousers. They packed the shell of the old Baptist church on Negle... more -
A Pro-active Response to Rape in Nairobi's slums
This is the story of an organization's effort to give women the tools they need to protect themselves in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. It is one of the only efforts to help women prevent rape, and fills a void left by the lack of action by local law enforcement. This is the story of an organization's effort to give women the tools they need to protect themselves in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. ... more
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The Rich and the Rest of Us
Over the past three decades, market-worshiping politicians and their corporate backers have engineered the most colossal redistribution of wealth in modern world history, a redistribution from the bottom up, from working people to a tiny global elite.
We will never achieve social and economic justice for those at the bottom of our economic pyramid until we tackle wealth concentration at the top. Over the past three decades, market-worshiping politicians and their corporate backers have engineered the most colossal redistributio... more -
COPWATCH - UN OEIL SUR LA POLICE 1.2 (jacobs ladder contributed to this)
Ils suivent les policiers des nuits entières dans les rues, les filment et prennent des notes. Leur mouvement est né à Berkeley, en Californie. Ce sont les copwatchers : cop comme flic, watchers comme surveillants. Certains veulent tout simplement faire valoir leur droit de citoyens, d’autres ont subi des violences policières. Leur combat : filmer la police pour l’empêcher d’être au dessus des lois. En 1991, aux Etats-Unis, l’affaire Rodney King - la bastonnade d’un automobiliste noir filmée par hasard par un amateur - avait mis le doigt sur la gravité des bavures. Depuis 1994, une loi autorise la police fédérale (FBI) à enquêter en cas de soupçon de brutalité policière. Mais les condamnations de policiers violents restent rarissimes. C’est pourquoi le mouvement Copwatch est né. Aujourd’hui, il en existe une soixantaine sur tout le territoire. Sabrina Van Tassel a rencontré ces militants infatigables, qui traquent chaque nuit les brigades de police : à Berkeley, Andrea Pritchett, l’une des fondatrices du mouvement et Jacob Crawford, un cameraman professionnel, deux "vétérans" du copwatching, des militants pour les droits civiques ; à San José, un groupe très actif, composé uniquement de jeunes victimes de bavures policières (à leur tête, Norren Salinas, dont le père est mort l’an dernier, électrocuté par la décharge d’un taser, cette arme de neutralisation électrique) ; à Riddley, un bourg à forte population latino, c’est un ancien flic d’origine mexicaine qui dénonce les brutalités policières. Bernabe Santillan a vécu le système de l’intérieur et le condamne. Lui aussi s’est muni d’une caméra pour observer le travail de ses anciens collègues. Il ne leur laisse aucun répit. Mais aujourd’hui, il est seul contre tous. Ils suivent les policiers des nuits entières dans les rues, les filment et prennent des notes. Leur mouvement est né à Berkeley, en Ca... more
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COPWATCH - UN OEIL SUR LA POLICE 1.1 (jacobs ladder contributed to this)
Ils suivent les policiers des nuits entières dans les rues, les filment et prennent des notes. Leur mouvement est né à Berkeley, en Californie. Ce sont les copwatchers : cop comme flic, watchers comme surveillants. Certains veulent tout simplement faire valoir leur droit de citoyens, d’autres ont subi des violences policières. Leur combat : filmer la police pour l’empêcher d’être au dessus des lois. En 1991, aux Etats-Unis, l’affaire Rodney King - la bastonnade d’un automobiliste noir filmée par hasard par un amateur - avait mis le doigt sur la gravité des bavures. Depuis 1994, une loi autorise la police fédérale (FBI) à enquêter en cas de soupçon de brutalité policière. Mais les condamnations de policiers violents restent rarissimes. C’est pourquoi le mouvement Copwatch est né. Aujourd’hui, il en existe une soixantaine sur tout le territoire. Sabrina Van Tassel a rencontré ces militants infatigables, qui traquent chaque nuit les brigades de police : à Berkeley, Andrea Pritchett, l’une des fondatrices du mouvement et Jacob Crawford, un cameraman professionnel, deux "vétérans" du copwatching, des militants pour les droits civiques ; à San José, un groupe très actif, composé uniquement de jeunes victimes de bavures policières (à leur tête, Norren Salinas, dont le père est mort l’an dernier, électrocuté par la décharge d’un taser, cette arme de neutralisation électrique) ; à Riddley, un bourg à forte population latino, c’est un ancien flic d’origine mexicaine qui dénonce les brutalités policières. Bernabe Santillan a vécu le système de l’intérieur et le condamne. Lui aussi s’est muni d’une caméra pour observer le travail de ses anciens collègues. Il ne leur laisse aucun répit. Mais aujourd’hui, il est seul contre tous. Ils suivent les policiers des nuits entières dans les rues, les filment et prennent des notes. Leur mouvement est né à Berkeley, en Ca... more
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A Better Life is Worth Fighting For: Part II
Among the more than 750 janitors out on strike as of Wednesday the 24th are Stanford's own.
Also see: http://current.com/items/88975640_a_better_life_is_wort... Among the more than 750 janitors out on strike as of Wednesday the 24th are Stanford's own. ... more -
A Better Life is Worth Fighting For: Part 1
In Silicon Valley's first Major strike in a decade janitors stand up for a better life.
Contract talks for more that 6,000 janitors ended last Thursday with the Bay Area's largest cleaning companies refusing after months of negotiation to propose even modest pay and benefit improvements to janitors currently making only $347 a week—just $23,000 annually. In Silicon Valley's first Major strike in a decade janitors stand up for a better life. ... more -
Justice for San Diego Janitors!!!
San Diego Janitors are fighting for fair wages, family health care and respect. Corporate giants and service contractors are withholding a contract from San Diego janitors on par with contracts they have agreed to elsewhere in California. It’s high time these hard working people had an opportunity to pay their rent, feed their children, and provide health care for their families all in one month rather than having to choose between their basic needs. San Diego Janitors are fighting for fair wages, family health care and respect. Corporate giants and service contractors are withholdi... more
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Worker across the way (Trabajadoro a través de la manera)
Log Line: Los Angeles day laborers segregate themselves in the parking lot of Home Depot and yet find they share a common struggle, community and a paralleled American story.
At the Home Depot parking lot on Slauson Blvd. in Los Angeles, day laborers gather each morning hustling for work in my predominately Latino and African American neighborhood. I was struck with surprise one day, when I noticed African American day laborers sitting across from the Latino workers-- segregated. The two groups have an interesting perspective on immigration and economics.
Told from the perspective of Juan (29) an undocumented day laborer and Leron (35) an American day laborer-- both workers will take me through their day. I ask both men their thoughts on comprehensive immigration reform.
I open with the landscape of south Los Angles, showing quick shots of Latino and African American communities living side by side-- eeking out an existence. Broll would reflect the economic disenfranchisement of the once middle-class neighborhood-- dilapidated corner stores; liquor stores, check cashing places, etc. Focus in on Home Depot and we clearly see the divide of the two groups of men. We meet our protagonists, Juan and Leroy. The two men tell their stories and we follow them through their day-- finding out along the way their reasons for soliciting day work and what they hope for the future.
I plan to interview both groups of men, then hold a screening of the rough footage for the groups to watch and comment on the other men's opinions. Portions of this will be included in the finished pod.
Log Line: Los Angeles day laborers segregate themselves in the parking lot of Home Depot and yet find they share a common struggle, co... more -
No Justice, No Problem
New York City reacts to the four police officers responsible for murder of the unarmed Sean Bell: found not guilty.
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Who can tell you how to live?
i live in burlington north carolina, better know as bucktown. im richard edens, i like to think imma big influence of our ways, we roll whiteowls, we listen to reggae, old memphis rap and we got some raw ass slang thats fresh and verrrrrrrry tasteyyy bruh, get at us here in bucktown its me my brotha ivan, greybird the dopeman, bo the fiend and ern the goodie goodie cocky ass, we a funny ass crew and im tryna get started in this type business, thanks current, i hadda bad feeling you wouldnt take a second look at my crazy anecdote but if you do get back at me i got loads n loads to tell i live in burlington north carolina, better know as bucktown. im richard edens, i like to think imma big influence of our ways, we rol... more
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CODEMEDIAGROUP: A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE FUNDRAISER (PT.1)
Civil rights activists and labor movement folk all know A. Philip Randolph. But do you?
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Tom Morello Interview
Known for his long list of contributions to the music world, Tom Morello explains to The Daily Fix how he and other famous rock stars are helping others in need on his current Justice Tour. Known for his long list of contributions to the music world, Tom Morello explains to The Daily Fix how he and other famous rock stars ... more
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NICARAGUA: A DYING GENERATION
Nicaragua's decision to ban all types of abortion including those medically necessary to save a woman's life, has had deep ramifications according to human rights groups in the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Since the ban was implemented in 2006, 82 women have died because they did not receive a life saving abortion. Some doctors have even denied medical services to pregnant women for fear that the possibility of an aborted pregnancy could lead to their incarceration. Nicaragua's decision to ban all types of abortion including those medically necessary to save a woman's life, has had deep ramificatio... more
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This Revolution by GNN
In 1969, Academy Award winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler exploded the boundaries of American verite cinema with his quasi-fictional masterpiece, Medium Cool. Set against the chaotic and hyper-politicized backdrop of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, WexlerâÂÂs narrative effectively blurred the lines between reality and fiction, forcing viewers to question the responsibility media has to its audience and the society as a whole.
Thirty years later, as anti-Bush activists and the New York police force prepared for their encounter on the streets outside the 2004 Republican National Convention, director Stephen Marshall took his cast and crew, including stars Rosario Dawson and Nathan Crooker, into the chaos. With Entertainment Tonight and New York Daily News in tow, the shoot was interrupted when six NYPD officers pulled up in a van and arrested Dawson and Marshall mistaking them for Black Bloc anarchists.
Conceived as a low-budget, hi-impact verite thriller for the political set, This Revolution, was developed, written, cast, shot (on 24P DV) and edited in 100 days, just in time for the Sundance deadline. The story follows Jake Cassevetes (Nathan Crooker), a network war shooter just back from Iraq who is assigned to cover the run-up to the RNC. When he meets and falls in love with Tina Santiago (Rosario Dawson), a young mother widowed after her husband was killed in Iraq, Jake is forced to question his world view. But it is not until he discovers his network has given his videotape of an anarchist Black Bloc group to Homeland Security that Jake decides to take action. In 1969, Academy Award winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler exploded the boundaries of American verite cinema with his quasi-fiction... more -
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS while Protesting (THESE STREETS ARE WATCHING)
Producer’s Name(s): Jacob Crawford
Email: jacob@jacobsladderproduction.com
Phone #: 203-733-1860
Current.com username: jacobsladder
School: Sarah lawrence
Date: April 24 2008
Pod Title: THESE STREETS ARE WATCHING (know your rights while protesting)
Pod Description (2 – 4 sentences):
This pod series will look into an individual’s rights in the streets while protesting, organizing, or legal observing (the Democratic or Republican National Convention). This series will overview public space, freedom of speech, expression, how to advance your message, the right to observe police, what to document during police action, jail solidarity,
Why is this Current (about what’s going on in the lives of 18-34 year olds)?
If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything, This pod series is Current because currently our rights are vanishing, most people in their 20’S and 30’S don’t know what rights we’ve lost since 9/11 and with elections around the corner there will be a large volume of younger adults interested in making the world a better place, This pod series will catch some up to speed and prepare everyone for what lies ahead.
Key Characters (You may have these people identified, or describe the types of characters you are thinking about for your pod):
1. Steve Nash, Denver Copwatch (falsely Labeled criminal extremist by Denver Police in 2002)
2. Andrea Pritchett Founding member of Berkeley Copwatch since 1990
3. Dribirl Toure from the Malcom X Grassroots Movement in Brooklyn (they have a copwatch program)
4. Mark Silverstein director of the Colorado ACLU
5. Joaquin Cienfuegos Co Founder of Copwatch LA
6. Adrienne Wheeler of The National Lawyers Guild
Execution (What are we going to see in the pod?):
We will see our rights in action, in a way that helps the public understand them.
We will see how police suppress people’s rights by utilizing a variety of different tactics ranging from intimidation, provocation, surveillance, mass arrests, and legal action.
We will see copwatching in action, helping viewers know how to document police action and what to document to help any victims
Estimated Production Timeline:
2 weeks
Production Notes:
I am experienced in filming and producing this type of content “these streets are watching” its on my current page
Producer’s Name(s): Jacob Crawford Email: jacob@jacobsladderproduction.com Phone #: 203-733-1860 ... more -
The Creation of the Universe...I mean, the Internet
Cool video about the creation of the internet and the issue of net neutrality.
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The other side of conversation.
Conversations from the other side of things. Many times you hear the heterosexuals side of homosexuality, what does they gay person think about someone who's straight? What does a celebrity think of a normal person? What do the rich really think about the not-so-rich's view of them. It's about diversity, about seeing your self in other people. Conversations from the other side of things. Many times you hear the heterosexuals side of homosexuality, what does they gay person th... more
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Social Justice
Contributors (141)
Social Justice
