Nancy Tate Martin Boksenbaum, a LEPOCO supporter since the 1980s and a Lehigh Valley leader on much work for the environment and in building community, died on August 7. His work and his dedication to that work is missed by so many including LEPOCO. Martin Boksenbaum and Janet Goloub came to the Lehigh Valley in 1980. They first lived in Allentown and then in … [Read more...] about Remembering Martin Boksenbaum
activism
A Prophetic Poor People’s Movement Led by the Poor People
Keith Collins The role of the prophet in the ancient Hebrew scriptures was to confront, correct and transform society when it has lost its moral compass. As ancient empires emerged fortified by the thirst for conquest and dominion the foundation for a class, race and, gender-based caste system was established, and remains with us till this day. If we are to posit that … [Read more...] about A Prophetic Poor People’s Movement Led by the Poor People
Occupy Wall Street: A Post-Mortem Examination
Lenny Flank In September 2011, a small group of demonstrators sat down and occupied Zuccotti Park in New York City, near Wall Street, as a protest against the lopsided distribution of wealth in the US and the domination of the political process by the wealthy elite. Within weeks, similar occupations spread across the United States from coast to coast, and Occupy Wall Street … [Read more...] about Occupy Wall Street: A Post-Mortem Examination
Whither the Poor People’s Campaign?
by Gary Olson Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn me ‘roundTurn me ‘roundAin’t gonna let nobody Turn me aroundI’m gonna keep on walkin’ Keep on talkin’ Marching into freedom land I joined the Poor People’s Campaign because I sensed that it has more transformative potential than anything that’s come along in over five decades. In a previous post/article I praised the PPC for its … [Read more...] about Whither the Poor People’s Campaign?
Where Does Our Culture of Rage and Disaffection Come From?
by Ted Morgan As the mass media would have it, Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign was buoyed by “populist” anger from working class white folks, particularly in rural America and the South. Public opinion polls have shown that the bulk of Trump’s support has come from middle-to-upper-middle class people, religious fundamentalists, traditional conservatives, … [Read more...] about Where Does Our Culture of Rage and Disaffection Come From?
Thanks again, Greta
Once again, Greta Thunberg speaks out to government 'leaders' who are guilty of failing to act on global warming and climate change. Read her April 23 address to Parliament. Their failure to act parallels the failure of politicians in most 'developed' countries. (Just look at the idiotic responses to the 'Green New Deal' proposal in the US!) I am impressed by the … [Read more...] about Thanks again, Greta
‘You did not act in time!’
'(Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs, London, 23 April 2019) by Greta Thunberg My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 16 years old. I come from Sweden. And I speak on behalf of future generations. I know many of you don’t want to listen to us — you say we are just children. But we’re only repeating the message of the united climate science. Many of you appear concerned … [Read more...] about ‘You did not act in time!’
Remembering William Blum
Faramarz Farbod The year 2018 witnessed the passing of William Blum, the author and fierce critic of U.S. imperialism. He died on December 9, at a hospice center in Arlington, VA., at age 85. The news was not entirely unexpected as he had suffered an injury from a fall at his home two months earlier. Blum had ceaselessly researched and exposed in meticulous detail the … [Read more...] about Remembering William Blum
Community and Ecosystem Protection: Two Films
Martin Boksenbaum Audiences made up of community activists and college students were treated to one-night-only showings of two important new documentaries: Invisible Hand on October 21st at Lehigh University and Unfractured on October 23rd at Northampton Community College. Both films focused on significant examples of efforts to protect communities and ecosystems from … [Read more...] about Community and Ecosystem Protection: Two Films
Mobilize Now!
Abrupt and extreme climate crisis requires all-out emergency mobilization This is a call for General Mobilization. We must respond with our utmost will power and intention to mitigate the existing extreme climate emergency crisis. Well-informed local citizens have carefully looked into rapidly escalating climate changes caused by excessive burning of fossil fuels. These … [Read more...] about Mobilize Now!