Michigan Welfare Rights Organization

Linking up the struggles!                                        

                                       "You get what you are organized to take!"

ARCHIVE: Get Involved/Community Calendar

Tuesday, 11/7/06

Election Day--VOTE! See Open MWRO Member Letter for more thoughts.

Saturday, 11/11/06

Tent City: 15 Years Later--Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor. Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams (at Woodward, near Comerica Park), Detroit, 4pm. On November 11^th, 2006 it will be 15 years since we organized the fight back against poverty and homelessness by erecting "Tent City" in Detroit, Lansing, Flint and Ann Arbor, Michigan against Governor Engler, the State Leaders and certain local leaders in their attacks on the citizens of Michigan by eliminating and cutting badly needed programs, such as General Assistance. Join us as we discuss these protests organized by the Detroit-Wayne County Homeless Union, the Michigan Up and Out of Poverty Now Coalition (including MWRO), and several other community groups.

Saturday, 11/11/06

Eyewitness Report on Venezuela and Colombia. International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit

111 East Kirby, Detroit 48202 (313) 871-8600, 5-7:30pm. A delegation from the US recently visited Venezuela and Colombia and had the opportunity to experience the dramatic changes that have been taking place in Latin America in the last few years. In Venezuela the delegation observed how the Bolivarian revolution is unfolding. The main protagonists, the Venezuelan people, through the “Misiones or projects” have brought unprecedented changes in health care, education, housing, culture and sports to the majority of the population. In Colombia, despite what the Colombian people call the “state of terror” unions, mass organizations are organizing to help provide minimum necessities, like food, childcare, education, to the poorest people of society. They are also organizing to put an end to the repression by the Colombian government and the U.S. through “Plan Colombia” that has killed 7, 000 people a year for political reasons. Includes showing of the film “Bombing in Santo Domingo Arauca, Colombia” a 15 min. short DVD documenting the bombing of the community of Santo Domingo, Colombia. Presented by Justice for Cuba Coalition & US/Cuba Labor Exchange.

Tuesday, 6/13/06

Michigan Women United, a coalition group of One United Michigan (for Affirmative Action) Dinner Meeting. 5:30-8pm, Community Room, lower level, Northland Shopping Center in Southfield (9 Mile/Greenfield, off Lodge Fwy, park in Lot E). Inspire your children, grandchildren, nieces, and mentees with this evening of empowerment and strategy. The Honorable Brenda Lawrence, Mayor of Southfield, will assist in this organizing effort. To reserve a space for your organization, call by June 10th (313) 965-9582.

Tuesday, 6/13/06

Water for Life: The Detroit Series--Detroit's Water System: Looking Into Detroit's Past to Find Justice in the Future. 7-9pm, Barth Hall, Cathedral Church of St Paul, 4800 Woodward, Detroit.

A panel of environmental and community experts will discuss the complex history, politics, and race relations among residents who share Detroit's water system, and issues across the region related to water pollution, shortage, diversion, and rates. Speakers include: Russ Bellant (Detroit Historian), Dave Dempsey (author & environmentalist), Lucy Harris (American Indian Health & Family Services), Kurt Metzger (United Way), Sylvia Orduño (Michigan Welfare Rights); facilitator: Josephine Powell; music: Joe Reilly. Flyer (pdf). News Advisory (MS Word). News Release (MS Word).

Wednesday, 6/14/06

Picket in support of new UAW card signers at Hope Global of Detroit. 9am, 25215 Glendale, Redford (one block south of I-96 and 2-3 blks east of Beech Daly). A majority of the Hope Global employees signed cards to become members of the UAW and filed a request with the NLRB to have elections. Please join employees and supporters for a SECOND PICKET. For more info, contact Rosendo Delgado, Coordinator, Latinos United/Unidos of Michigan (313) 887-1849 or [email protected]

Wednesday, 6/14/06

Meet the Venezuelan Ambassador! 3-5pm, International Institute, 111 E. Kirby (at John R, north of DIA), Detroit. Please join us for an unprecedented and historic visit to Detroit by the Ambassador of Venezuela, Bernardo Alvarez. We will be extending a warm welcome to the Ambassador and his delegation with a PEOPLE’S MEET & GREET CELEBRATION! Admission: A Potluck “Taste of Detroit” Dish. Let’s treat our guests to a variety of good Detroit favorites! Please bring something to share with others, preferably in a disposable dish. (No one turned away.) Capacity is limited to approximately 300 people. Please help us prepare by calling in your RSVP to the MWRO office at (313) 964-2500 or e-mail at [email protected]  Flyer (pdf) Spanish flyer (MS Word)

Saturday, 6/17/06

Call 'em Out & The People's State of the People Town Hall Meeting. 6:30pm, Let Them Come Missionary Baptist Church, 10320 Hamilton (between Calvert and Collingwood). All elected officials, candidates for elected offices, and community leaders and ministers are invited to attend. The intent of this meeting is to give elected officials and candidates information and instructions from the people such as accountability to the people, lack of employment and recreational opportunities for our youth, loss revenue sharing for the City of Detroit, home loss due to tax foreclosure, fee for trash pick up, access to water and other utilities, mistreatment o seniors and the disabled, and more. RSVP to Call 'em Out (313) 874-2792 or [email protected]

Now-6/28/06

Help pass stalled lead testing bill in Michigan House sponsored by State Senator Martha Scott. This bill would require all children participating in the Women, Children, and Infants (WIC) program to be screened for lead poisoning. Failure to pass the bill by October will result in the loss of major federal HUD funding for lead. The bill follows a 2003 State of Michigan report that found up to 20,000 children under age 6 may be affected but three-fourths of them are never tested or diagnosed. Children living in low-income and older homes and apartments may be particularly exposed to lead paint or plumbing. Please urge House Speaker Craig De Roche [email protected] (517) 373-0827 and House Floor Leader Rep. Chris Ward [email protected] to take up Scott's Senate bill SB1198 for a full House vote. For more info: House analysis summary  Senator Martha Scott (517) 373-7748.

Saturday, 6/24/06

Breaking the Travel Ban to Cuba: Panel Discussion and Potluck. 1-4pm, Central United Methodist Church (Woodward at Adams), Detroit. Meet Shane Gasteyer from Pastors for Peace, NY, and National Caravan Coordinator who will be speaking about his experiences with the Caravan medical and food donation program to Cuba. Also speaking will be attorney Kurt Berggren who represents religious activists who resist fines for traveling to Cuba. Panelists will also discuss the free medical school program available to interested U.S. students. Donations of medication and medical supplies that don't expire before 2/7/06, powdered milk, soy milk, Ensure, infants formula, and/or potluck items are appreciated. For more information: (313) 561-8330 or [email protected]

Wednesday, 6/28/06

Detroit Water and Sewerage Dept Board of Directors Meeting. 2pm, DWSD, 735 Randolph at Lafayette, Detroit. The DWSD agreed with MWRO and the Detroit City Council to implement the Water Affordability Program by 7/1/06 but there are no contracts in place to do this. In addition the DWSD is cutting hundreds of water worker jobs although the DWSD has received millions of dollars in water rate increases. Come to this Board meeting and voice your concerns about the Water Affordability Program and water worker jobs. For more info: MWRO (313) 964-2500 [email protected] or John Riehl AFSCME Local 207 (313) 965-1601 [email protected]

Wednesday, 6/28/06

Community Impeachment Training: Impeach Bush (and accomplices)! 6:30pm, Barth Hall, Cathedral Church of St Paul, 4800 Woodward, Detroit. Speakers will outline reasons for impeachment and provide tools to build support for impeachment in your community. Come discuss strategies to kick George W. Bush et. al. out of the White House--starting with a City Council Resolution! For more info, contact the Detroit and Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild at  www.michigannlg.org or (313) 963-0843 or [email protected]

Thursday, 6/29/06

"Media and the Urban Community" Symposium and Book Discussion. 6pm, Detroit Main Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave, Friends Auditorium-Level 1, Detroit. Hear from author and journalist, Bankole Thompson, Ignoring the Underprivileged: A Journalist's Indictment of Mainstream Media and City Editor of The Michigan Citizen, along with a panel of journalists, community leaders, students, and media. Moderated by Cliff Russell. Free and open to the public, books available. For more information, (313) 833-4042.

Saturday, 7/1/06

Michigan Peach Festival. 2pm-??, Belle Isle Park, Pavilion 18. Come join us for this family event, food, DJ, clowns, face painting, children's activities, information tables, and fun! For more info: www.mecawi.org  Flyer (pdf)

Saturday, 7/1/06

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization Anniversary Celebration with an Awards and History Presentation, 4-7pm, Eastern Michigan University, McKenny Union Alumni Room, Ypsilanti. Keynote Speakers: Alma Wheeler Smith, Michigan State Representative in Washtenaw County; and Marianne Udow, Dept Human Services Director. Donation: $5 low income, $15 non-low income. Flyer (MS Word). RSVP to (313) 965-2500 or [email protected]

Thursday, 7/6/06

Midwest Social Forum--Celebrating Water for Life: Great Lakes Caucus on Water Privatization & Environmental Justice, 1-6pm, Milwaukee, WI. The purpose of this workshop is to outreach to individuals and organizations concerned with Great Lakes Water communities confronting water pollution, shortage, diversion and rate issues such as in Highland Park residents are experiencing water shut-offs; Mecosta County's ground water is being freely siphoned and sold by a corporation; Monroe County residents must ship in water because their water supply has been contaminated by quarry operations. Organized by: East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Boggs Center for Nurturing Community Leadership. For more info: [email protected]  Midwest Social Forum runs 7/6-9/06 www.mwsocialforum.org
 

Thursday, 7/6/06

Prostitution, Trafficking, and Women presentation by Andrea Lavigne. 7pm, 5920 Second Ave (1 blk west of Cass), Detroit. A discussion on the psychosocial impact of prostitution and sexual trafficking, the consequences of legal prostitution, and an examination of current movements to liberate women. Free, light refreshments provided. Held by Detroit Feminist Meetup. For more info: [email protected] or (313) 300-2518.

Tuesday, 7/11/06

Water for Life: The Detroit Series--Town Hall Meeting, 7-9pm, Barth Hall, Cathedral Church of St Paul, 4800 Woodward, Detroit. Bringing the community together to discuss the future of our water and action-oriented solutions. Topics include: Detroit Water Affordability Program, water privatization, water as a human right. Youth especially encouraged to participate! Co-organized by several environmental and community groups, including MWRO. For more info, see www.dwej.org/csaej.htm. Flyer (pdf).

Saturday, 7/15/06

National Truth Commission. 9:30am-8pm, Lincoln Park (W. 14th St & Starkweather), Cleveland, OH. Hear the stories of resistance of those whose economic human rights have been violated here in the richest country in the world. Get on the bus with MWRO: leave 7am, return midnight, $25 roundtrip, food and beverages included! Sponsors needed for low-income participants. MWRO Bus Flyer (MS Word). Organized by the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign. Truth Commission Flyer (pdf).

Saturday, 7/29/06

Affirmative Action-Community Action Day. 8am-6pm, Wayne State University. This November, a ballot initiative known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is looking to ban affirmative action in Michigan. Come to this Community Action Day to learn about the MCRI, to discover what you can do to help, and to develop the skills you will need to fight the MCRI. For more info, University Students United: www.usumichigan.com

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