Dear Sisters and Brothers,

You are invited to participate in the upcoming “Rally against Republicans, Who are Hurting Us!” on Saturday, February 28, at 2 pm, on the sidewalks at the intersection of Harrisburg and Macario Garcia (Hwy 90) in Houston.

The purpose of the Rally is to expose the Republicans and the Far Right for their increasingly dangerous attacks on workers, people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ communities, and the masses as a whole—and to help develop the kind of independent working class political action which will be required to stop these dangerous attacks. This event is being organized by the Houston Socialist Movement.

We are resolutely opposed to the Republicans and the Far Right harming the working class and the masses of people by

• * further militarizing the border
• * supporting racist militias on the border
• * repealing in-state tuition for undocumented college students
• * attempting to end DACA and executive relief for undocumented people,
• * harassing Texas legislators who oppose “Open Carry”
• * making openly racist attacks on people of color, Muslims, and other minorities
• * refusing to expand Medicaid
• * attempting to cut Security and Medicare
• * refusing to adequately fund public schools
• * refusing to adequately fund veterans care
• * opposing improved services for the disabled
• * opposing measures to reduce unemployment
• * opposing a living wage for all workers
• * constantly adding to the legal and economic privileges and rights of the very rich
• * calling for new wars in Iraq, Syria, and Iran
• * giving Latin American governments taxpayer money to repress their people under the  guise of fighting the drug trade

…and more!

We are committed to helping workers and democratic-minded people of all nationalities understand that these problems are rooted in the capitalist system and that socialism here in the United States and around the world is the answer to these problems.

We hope you will plan to join us for the Rally on Saturday, February 28. If you would like more information, please call (832) 692-2306.

In Solidarity,

Houston Socialist Movement

• Donations:  Food (non perishable), Diapers, Food Gift Cards

• Monetary Donations

• Picketing Assistance

Published time: September 10, 2014 16:03 Edited time: September 11, 2014 14:22 

 http://rt.com/usa/186744-citizen-militia-texas-border/

Members of the “Patriots” Huggie Bear (L, not his real name), Ray (C, no last name given) and Will (R, no last name given) patrol in their UTV near a camp of patriots near the U.S.-Mexico border outside Brownsville, Texas September 2, 2014. (Reuters/Rick Wilking)

Armed militias continue to patrol the United States-Mexico border seeking to repel any migration north, but critics warn that these self-styled ‘freedom defenders’ lingering on private land represent a powder keg that could have “disastrous” consequences.

Near Brownsville, Texas, a group of private citizens simply known as the Patriots were invited to watch 21 acres of border land owned by Rusty Monsees. The group, Reuters reported, has been on the land since early summer, when news reports announced that unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied minors from Central America had crossed the border. In the first half of 2014, around 52,000 children, among many others, attempted the trek, fleeing poverty, violence, and systemic abuse present in their home nations. Many have ended up warehoused in US military installations and other facilities awaiting their fate amongst an inhospitable, nativist climate. President Barack Obama has vowed some type of immigration reform via executive action in the face of an inert Congress. Yet Obama has said he will not move on reform until after congressional midterm elections in November. The numerous militias along the border join the US Customs and Border Protection as well as the Texas National Guard. The Patriots Information Hotline, a networking call center, claims 22 groups of “armed patriots” are patrolling the border, from Texas to California. The US Border Patrol has warned that armed vigilantes taking intimidation tactics too far could have “disastrous personal and public safety consequences.” Yet the Patriots back in Brownsville insist the description “vigilante” is unfair, and that they are not itching to fire their high-powered firearms. “Everybody has this bad taste in their mouth about ‘militias.’ They think we’re out here trying to smoke people and kill them as soon as they cross the border. Which obviously, is not the case,” said “Huggie Bear,” a member of the Patriots who is a former US Army infantry team leader. “Our goal here is to try to deter them from coming. They see us, they don’t know who we are, so that kind of scares people away for a while,” he told Reuters. Militia groups on the border have been invited by private landowners to patrol in certain areas, as is the case with the Patriots near Brownsville. Expenses are usually paid by the militia members, with sympathetic donors also offering support funding, according to Reuters. Monsees said he asked for help on his border land given “illegals” have allegedly poisoned his dogs and shot at his house. “If they [the militia] leave, I’m dead,” he said. Others in the area echo these sentiments, saying the militia groups give them a sense of peace. “Whoever says there’s not a problem by the border wall, they don’t live out here,” said Fernando Rivera Jr., a property owner in Brownsville. Rivera said his son patrols the family’s backyard with a shotgun to deter what he calls criminals from crossing the border. “Now, when they’re on patrol, it’s actually peaceful,” Rivera said. “The dogs don’t bark as much. I can actually get some sleep.” The militaristic Patriots are also equipped with all-terrain vehicles, thick body armor, plastic handcuffs to detain migrants and communications equipment that can supposedly reach Border Patrol agents. The only live fire the group has encountered, according to Reuters, was from Border Patrol, who thought an armed member of the Patriots was an undocumented immigrant. Once shots were fired, the Patriot reportedly dropped his firearm. No one was injured in the encounter. The situation exemplifies the challenges and worries the militias pose to law enforcement. “When there are situations with any individual who is bearing arms in public or on private property, there is always a concern amongst law enforcement of possible misidentification that can lead to friendly-fire tragedies,” said Eddie Guerra, sheriff of Hidalgo County in Texas. Regardless, groups like the Patriots stay vigilant. “If you spot them and shine your light on them, that lets them know that you’re there,” said Will, 25, who came from Indiana to join the Patriots. “Nine times out of 10, they’re not going to come over. “Even if they are going to try to cross again, we’re still making it harder for them, and that’s the reason we’re here.”

Please sign the petition

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-private-militias?source=c.em&r_by=8638452

Source: Houston Chronicle

News

 

Former teacher was let go after filing two other free speech suits

By Harvey Rice

December 15, 2014 Updated: December 15, 2014 9:29pm

GALVESTON – The College of the Mainland has settled a lawsuit with a professor it fired after he filed two other lawsuits alleging violation of his free speech rights.

The settlement is the latest in a long string of federal lawsuits against the college board and administration over the last several years by faculty, staff and students.

The lawsuit settled last week by former professor David Michael Smith accused the board of directors of firing him on Aug. 1, 2013, on a unanimous vote in retaliation for his two previous free speech lawsuits.

College President Beth Lewis said Smith was fired for insubordination and for harassing his colleagues.

Neither Smith nor Lewis would discuss the terms of the confidential settlement. Smith declined to say whether he would be reinstated, but said he had no plans for full-time teaching.

Smith’s lawsuit sought $750,000 in damages plus attorneys fees of at least $250,000.

Smith, who taught political science at the community college for 15 years, predicted more lawsuits unless the administration and board agreed to work cooperatively with employees and students.

“I’m certain there will be additional lawsuits,” Smith said. “If you ask me, I’m afraid the current board is intent on turning a traditionally progressive institution of higher learning into a Walmart.”

Lewis dismissed Smith’s accusation that the administration was unwilling to tolerate dissent from employees and students. “There is no merit to this assertion,” she said.

Board member Ralph Holm refused comment, but board member Rachel Delgado said that there would be fewer problems with Smith’s departure. “I feel that we are developing a very positive relationship” with faculty and staff, she said.

She also declined to discuss the settlement’s terms.

Smith, as head of the faculty union, was at the forefront of disputes over policy affecting college employees, often arguing points of policy before the board. His outspokenness and liberal viewpoints earned the ire of conservatives as expressed in letters to the editor of the Galveston Daily News.

His first lawsuit was filed after he and his wife were prevented from addressing the board during the public comments section of a June 22, 2009, meeting. The college settled the lawsuit after a federal judge accepted a recommendation that the college board be barred from excluding members of the public from speaking during the public comment portion of public meetings.

Smith sued the college again in June 2011 claiming that he was issued a disciplinary letter in retaliation for the first lawsuit. The college settled after the judge found that a jury was likely to side with Smith, according to Smith’s lawsuit.

Two years later, the college’s letter terminating Smith said that an investigation “has revealed a pattern of behavior in which you routinely challenge directives and requirements from your supervisors,” the lawsuit states.

Smith’s view is backed by Lee Medley, president of the AFL-CIO Galveston County Labor Council, who has at times tried to intercede on behalf of college faculty. Medley said Smith’s firing is part of an attempt by the college to break the faculty union.

Stephanie Macaluso, who graduated last week with an associates degree from Mainland College, said that she encountered problems defending a different professor fired last year for mentioning faculty problems in the classroom. Macaluso said faculty have told her that they fear expressing viewpoints contrary to the administration’s.