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| Recent Events |
| PODER is recognized by the University of Texas' School Of Social Work and awarded the "Vision And Valor" Award, given to individuals and organizations for their work in the Social Justice Movement |
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| April 22, 2007 Earth Day Celebration PODER celebrates 16 years of activism in Austin with performances, food and family. |
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| May 1, 2007 Justice for Migrants, Justice for Workers March |
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| 2nd Anniversary Vigil in memory of Daniel Rocha June 8 2007 |
| On June 9, 2005, Daniel Rocha, an 18 year old unarmed Chicano from East Austin was shot in the back while faced down at point blank range and killed by Austin Police Department officer Julie Schroeder. Schroeder was never crimally charged with his murder. There can be no justification for murdering an unarmed teenager! |
| PODER’s Young Scholars for Justice attended the Chief of Police Candidates Forum on Monday, June 11, 2007 at the Lester Palmer Events Center. The Young Scholars for Justice members asked numerous questions of the five candidates selected as the finalist for Austin’s new Chief of Police. |
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| Community Forum: From School to Prison Pipeline |
| A community forum: “From Schools to Prison Pipeline” was held June 14, 2007 at Booker T. Washington Housing Authority Administration Building. Veronica Garcia & Kenovan Carter with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Young Scholars for Justice and Texas Coalition Advocating Justice for Juveniles (TCAJJ) presented information to youth. |
| As part of World Refugee Day, a protest was held at the T. Don Hutto detention center. The T. Don Hutto detention center is operated by Corrections Corporation of America, a for-profit prison company. Hutto incarcerates approximately 400 asylum seeking and migrant families who are awaiting hearings before the immigration court. Children spend up to 22 hours a day in prison cells and receive inadequate education and recreational time. |
| World Refugee Day at T. Don Hutto Detention Center |
Four major highways are proposed to be tolled (you have to pay to drive on
them): SH 71(E&W), US 290 (E), US 183(E), and SH 45(E&W).The Austin toll
plan creates a monopoly by tolling public highways like 183, 71, 290 & MOPAC.
Don’t let them steal our tax dollars and our freeways to create a freeway toll tax
on our families! For more information go to: http://www.VoteEastSideTax.org
(you can click to place a vote for or against a special EastSideTax in the form of
Toll Roads). You can also go to link Austintollparty.com – where you can click to
forward a letter to CAMPO, opposing the selective taxation.
Send your written comments to CAMPO, P O Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767.
them): SH 71(E&W), US 290 (E), US 183(E), and SH 45(E&W).The Austin toll
plan creates a monopoly by tolling public highways like 183, 71, 290 & MOPAC.
Don’t let them steal our tax dollars and our freeways to create a freeway toll tax
on our families! For more information go to: http://www.VoteEastSideTax.org
(you can click to place a vote for or against a special EastSideTax in the form of
Toll Roads). You can also go to link Austintollparty.com – where you can click to
forward a letter to CAMPO, opposing the selective taxation.
Send your written comments to CAMPO, P O Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767.
| CAMPO Board Meeting to Discuss & Vote on Toll Roads Monday, October 8th at 6:00 PM at Anderson High School, 8403 Mesa Drive (in northwest Austin) |
On Friday, September 14, 2007, St. Edward’s University held a celebration
outside of its campus in celebration of 16 de Septiembre and in
remembrance of Miguel Hidaldo’s famous “Cry of Independence” from Spain’
s rule over Mexico. PODER’s Co-Director Erika González and two YSJ
members, Yvette Rodriguez and Asalynne Caldwell were invited to read a
poem. They read a poem inspired by the late Cesar Chavez about farm
worker struggles in the United States. This poem was fitting because many
CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) students were in attendance
and Erika is an alumni of St. Edward’s CAMP program.
outside of its campus in celebration of 16 de Septiembre and in
remembrance of Miguel Hidaldo’s famous “Cry of Independence” from Spain’
s rule over Mexico. PODER’s Co-Director Erika González and two YSJ
members, Yvette Rodriguez and Asalynne Caldwell were invited to read a
poem. They read a poem inspired by the late Cesar Chavez about farm
worker struggles in the United States. This poem was fitting because many
CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) students were in attendance
and Erika is an alumni of St. Edward’s CAMP program.
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| PODER and PODER's Young Scholars for Justice recently traveled to the United States Social Forum (USSF) in Atlanta, Georgia from June 27 - July 01 2007. The USSF was a weeklong gathering of community organizations and grassroots individuals that shared each other's experiences and analysis of the problems their communities face and was a space for the building of consciousness, vision and strategies to realize another world. PODER will be reporting back their experiences from the forum on Thursday August 09, 2007 at Resistencia Bookstore (1801 S 1st St # A) from 7pm - 9pm. |
| United States Social Forum 2007 |
| Birthday Celebration Honoring Susana Almanza, founding member and Co-Director of PODER Thursday, September 20th, 2007 |
| PODER thanks everyone who came out Thursday, September 20th to Honor Susana Almanza on her Birthday. PODER thanks everyone for their contribution and for sharing in a vision which honors the sacredness of human life and the environment. |
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DEMANDS
We call for:
1. All charges against the Jena 6 be dropped
2. The United States Department of Justice to convene an immediate inquiry into the
circumstances surrounding the arrests and prosecutions of the Jena 6;
3. Judge Mauffray to be recused from presiding over Bell 's juvenile court hearings or
other proceedings;
4. The Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel to investigate Reed Walters for
unethical and possibly illegal conduct;
5. The Louisiana Judiciary Commission investigate Judge Mauffray for unethical
conduct; and
6. The Jena School District superintendent to be removed from office.
We call for:
1. All charges against the Jena 6 be dropped
2. The United States Department of Justice to convene an immediate inquiry into the
circumstances surrounding the arrests and prosecutions of the Jena 6;
3. Judge Mauffray to be recused from presiding over Bell 's juvenile court hearings or
other proceedings;
4. The Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel to investigate Reed Walters for
unethical and possibly illegal conduct;
5. The Louisiana Judiciary Commission investigate Judge Mauffray for unethical
conduct; and
6. The Jena School District superintendent to be removed from office.
What Can You Do To Show Your Support?
1. Sign the petition to support the Jena 6 and be plugged in for future action by
visiting online:
www.colorofchange.org/jena. At this site, you can also make a donation to the legal
defense fund, buy a “Free the Jena 6” t-shirt, and join thousands in demanding that
the DA drop all charges against the 6 young men.
2. Call Governor Blanco at 866-366-1121, 225-342-0991, or 225-342-7015. Tell her
to intervene in theJena 6 case, and to act immediately to investigate the DA.
3 Call the Louisiana State Visitor Bureau at 225-342-8119. Tell them you won’t be
visiting Louisiana until justice is served in the Jena 6 case.
Learn more about the Jena 6 case and other ways to take action atthese websites:
www.freethejena6.org
www.colorofchange.org/jena
1. Sign the petition to support the Jena 6 and be plugged in for future action by
visiting online:
www.colorofchange.org/jena. At this site, you can also make a donation to the legal
defense fund, buy a “Free the Jena 6” t-shirt, and join thousands in demanding that
the DA drop all charges against the 6 young men.
2. Call Governor Blanco at 866-366-1121, 225-342-0991, or 225-342-7015. Tell her
to intervene in theJena 6 case, and to act immediately to investigate the DA.
3 Call the Louisiana State Visitor Bureau at 225-342-8119. Tell them you won’t be
visiting Louisiana until justice is served in the Jena 6 case.
Learn more about the Jena 6 case and other ways to take action atthese websites:
www.freethejena6.org
www.colorofchange.org/jena
| JENA 6 Peaceful Demonstration, Austin 10.1.07 A national call to action was made by Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli for college students to walk out in solidarity for the "Jena 6". UT, Huston Tillotson, ACC students marched to Capital in solidarity. |
A group of East Austin residents held a press conference on Thursday, June7th,
2007 at 11:00 AM at City Hall to denounce the City’s proposal to relocate the Animal
Shelter to East Austin (601 Airport Blvd). East Austin residents are concerned and
angry about the possible move.
Janie Rangel, PODER Chair states, “ The community has a huge need for real
affordable housing, the proposed Animal Shelter site at 601 Airport Boulevard can
be used for the Community Land Trust to build real low-income housing. Some
parcels can be designated for Habitat for Humanity and Guadalupe Development
Corporation to build real affordable housing.” Johnny Limon Chair of the Gardens
Neighborhood Association states, “With over 8,000 people on the list waiting for
public housing and Section 8 housing and thousands of homeless children waiting for
housing, the City should be building and providing housing for the residents.”
PODER request that you call the Austin City Council members and ask them to leave
the Animal Shelter on Town Lake. Ask them to build affordable housing in East
Austin.
2007 at 11:00 AM at City Hall to denounce the City’s proposal to relocate the Animal
Shelter to East Austin (601 Airport Blvd). East Austin residents are concerned and
angry about the possible move.
Janie Rangel, PODER Chair states, “ The community has a huge need for real
affordable housing, the proposed Animal Shelter site at 601 Airport Boulevard can
be used for the Community Land Trust to build real low-income housing. Some
parcels can be designated for Habitat for Humanity and Guadalupe Development
Corporation to build real affordable housing.” Johnny Limon Chair of the Gardens
Neighborhood Association states, “With over 8,000 people on the list waiting for
public housing and Section 8 housing and thousands of homeless children waiting for
housing, the City should be building and providing housing for the residents.”
PODER request that you call the Austin City Council members and ask them to leave
the Animal Shelter on Town Lake. Ask them to build affordable housing in East
Austin.
| East Austin Needs Affordable Housing Not Animal Shelters |
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| Four Groups File Lawsuit against Austin City Council: Public vote omitted - to move Animal Shelter to East Austin neighborhood |
PODER, Govalle/Johnston Terrace Neighborhood Planning Team, Old West Austin
Neighborhood Association (OWANA), and Fix Austin held a press conference on
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 in front of City Hall, 201 West Cesar Chavez Street at
10:00 AM. Read more(MS Word)
Neighborhood Association (OWANA), and Fix Austin held a press conference on
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 in front of City Hall, 201 West Cesar Chavez Street at
10:00 AM. Read more(MS Word)
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| Festival De Las Plantas 10/20/2007 |
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The outcomes all Texans want are safe neighborhoods and effective treatment for
troubled children. But, TYC is not producing these positives outcomes. Instead,
abuse, violence, under-staffing, and high ratesof recidivism plauge the agency. It's
time for the legislature to turn this sinking ship around and make the structural
changes needed to create a juvenile corrections agency that truly works for Texas
Familes and taxpayers.
troubled children. But, TYC is not producing these positives outcomes. Instead,
abuse, violence, under-staffing, and high ratesof recidivism plauge the agency. It's
time for the legislature to turn this sinking ship around and make the structural
changes needed to create a juvenile corrections agency that truly works for Texas
Familes and taxpayers.
| Blue Ribbon Report Community Forum 11/13/07 |
| PODER X-Mas Party 11-30-07 |