DPS teacher Christal Bonner (center) joins parents and students at Finney High Apr. 28 to protest school closings, lay-offs

 Huffington Post

By Simone Landon

simone.landon@huffingtonpost.com

When districtwide layoff notices hit every one of Detroit Public Schools’ 5,466 unionized employees late last week, an American Federation of Teachers spokeswoman called the move the largest “one fell swoop” firing of teachers in union memory.

More broadly troubling to teachers and education-reform observers, however, was DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb’s concurrent announcement that he plans to unilaterally modify the Detroit Federation of Teachers’ collective bargaining agreement, the first test of a sweeping new state law.

Ricktator Snyder

“I fully intend to use the authority that was granted under Public Act 4,” Bobb said in his Thursday statement. DPS spokesman Steve Wasko said Bobb has not yet “come to any conclusion about any specific changes to the contract,” but made the announcement because it would be “prudent” to inform teachers of possible changes to their contract.

Charter school CEO Doug Ross, Skillman CEO Carol Goss, and ally Rob Bobb

Bobb’s legal right to abrogate the district’s contract with the union may be the nation’s most extreme example of an administrator’s power over teachers. But education experts say Public Act 4 has come to represent more than the contract between Detroit and its teachers — it’s an example of the increasingly polarized state of education reform nationwide.

Attacks on public workers’ collective bargaining rights have made headlines across the country, but perhaps nowhere has the issue been so hotly contested as when it comes to the rights of public school teachers. With school districts throughout the United States millions of dollars in debt, fights over teacher seniority are taking place alongside pushes to shift public money toward charter schools. Mayoral control, meanwhile, has pulled authority away from school boards in some districts, and lawmakers are seeking to mandate changes from statehouses and the judiciary.

THE SENIORITY FIGHT

DPS teachers took part in massive labor rally against PA 4 in Lansing, MI April 13

Detroit’s layoffs are not unprecedented, but they could signal a new trend toward mass layoffs for large school districts unsure of their finances but required by state laws to notify teachers of potential dismissals. 2011 is the first year to see entire districts fired.

In 2010, tiny Central Falls, R.I., made headlines when Rhode Island’s education commissioner, Deborah Gist, announced that the entire teaching staff of the town’s high school would be laid off and asked to reapply for their jobs under new evaluation models.

But schoolwide layoffs have spread across districts, and dozens of pink slips have multiplied into thousands. Two months before Bobb’s announcement in Detroit, Providence, R.I. public schools officials said they would send a termination letter to each of the city’s 1,926 teachers. Providence Mayor Angel Taveras also slated four elementary schools for closure.

Providence RI teachers protest firings

In addition to the across-the-board firings, the Providence announcement was noteworthy for its distinction between laying off and fully terminating the district’s teaching staff. Layoffs offer some rights to teachers, meaning a financial obligation that the mayor said the city and its $110 million budget deficit — including $28 million short from schools — couldn’t afford. Continue reading →

FROM HTTP://PEOPLEBEFOREBANKS.ORG

Gail McNeil was featured on Fox News2 after she testified in favor of the moratorium on foreclosures. A former auto worker, who took a buyout from Ford, McNeil, says the news report, is “one of tens of thousands of homeowners in Wayne County alone caught up in the foreclosure crisis.

“She says she did everything she could to save her house.”

“‘Relentlessly, I think I’ve explored every avenue possibly given,’ said McNeil.

“Before leaving town, McNeil shared her story with members of the Wayne County Commission, who are considering the Homeowner Protection and Neighborhood Preservation Act. The initiative, introduced by Commissioner Martha Scott, calls for a one year moratorium on sheriff’s foreclosure sales and an investigation into the financial practices of banks… the hope is this will eventually end up on the ballot.

“Meanwhile, McNeil says she hopes to return to Detroit someday, and she hopes this effort will help other people in the future.”

–Local Fox 2 News, April 7, 2011

Wayne County Considering Sheriff’s Foreclosure Sale Moratorium: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Commissioner Martha Scott introduced bill

Vanessa Fluker with supporters April 29

FLUKER HEARING POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 13

Jerry Goldberg (l), attorney for Vanessa Fluker (center), Bev Lumley (r) and small portion of supporters who packed Chief Judge Virgil Smith’s courtroom April 29 to support Fluker, who has been santioned by Judge Robert Colombo; the hearing was postponed to May 13 after Smith said he had been on vacation and didn’t have time to read briefs. Goldberg, Fluker, and others are with Moratorium NOW! coalition and helped bring resolution on sheriff’s foreclosures to Wayne County Commission. Go to VOD story to read about Fluker’s case at http://voiceofdetroit.net/?p=6035.

HEARING IN CASE OF 14-YEAR-OLD CHILD FALSELY CONVICTED OF MURDERS ANOTHER MAN HAS CONFESSED TO.

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON

FRANK MURPHY HALL, St. Antoine at Gratiot (courtroom to be announced)

Click on  FREE DAVONTAE SANFORD Voice of Detroit to read and/or print out the shocking story of this young man, who has been held in prison by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy for four years, despite the fact that another man confessed to the crime, a hit killing of four people that happened when Davontae was 14.

Davontae's mother Taminko with his brothers, sisters and supporters outside Frank Murphy Hall June 29, 2010

Most reent post  on Davontae’s Facebook page (see link below), from Taminko Sanford, Davontae’s mother (as Mother’s Day approaches);

 

Taminko Gods’Still Blessing Sanford

i miss u so much,when i seen u wednesday tears came to my eye,u have became away from home,seen so much,heard so many lies fortold on u,missin holidays together,missin hearing ur voice,but reguardless of what,my heart holds a place for u that no one can feel,ma ma luvs u man,am prayin for u.

Davontae’s Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/event.php eid=135209816510145#!/free.davontae.sanford.

Maryanne Godboldo wants her child back in her arms NOW!

Please Join us this Wednesday May 4th 2010 at 3pm – Juvenile Court 

1025 E Warren Detroit Mich 48207 

Judge Lynn Pierce’s Court Room 2B 

Please Begin Calling Judge Lynn Pierce on Monday asking her to release Ariana IMMEDIATELY!

(313) 833-0165

~Justice for Maryanne Godboldo Action Committee

Saif al-Arab Gadhafi

Sunday, May 01, 2011

The youngest son of Muammar Gaddafi was killed in a NATO airstrike on a house where the Libyan leader and his famliy were staying at the time, a government spokesman said Sunday.
The raid resulted in the deaths of Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, 29, the youngest son of Gaddafi, and three of Gaddafi’s grandchildren, spokesman Mossa Ibrahim told a press conference.
The Libyan leader himself and his wife, who were in the house at the time, were in good health, while some other people were injured in the attack, Ibrahim said.

This was a direct act to assassinate the Libyan leader, a violation of international law which has no legal or political justifications, he said.

Home of Saif al-Arab Gadhafi after NATO/US attack

After the raid which took place around 8:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) Saturday, Ibrahim took a group of journalists to the site of of the house, that is located in a residential area in western Tripoli.
Hit by three missiles, the three-storey building was partially destroyed, with roofs completely caved in some portions, leaving mangled rods of reinforcing steel hanging down among splintered chunks of concrete.

While two of the missiles had exploded, the third was seen lying in one of the rooms of the building.

Libyans support Gadhafi in protest outside hotel housing foreign journalists

After the airstrike, large numbers of Libyans took to the streets, protesting the NATO strikes against civilians and expressing their support to Gaddafi’s family.
Prior to the raid, Gaddafi floated on Saturday a proposal for a cease-fire and negotiations in a televised speech while asserting that he won’t leave the country.
He said all parties concerned should follow the truce, and the NATO forces must stop their attacks.
Gaddafi ruled out the possibility he will quit and leave Libya, which he has been ruling over the past 41 years.
Since March 19, the Western powers have been launching attacks from the air and sea on Gaddafi’s forces after the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya and authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya.

Gadhafi Offers Truce as NATO Strikes Tripoli

 

Libyan leader with baby daughter Hanna Gadhafi, killed in U.S. air strike in 1986

 

Bombs hit government buildings during Libyan leader’s speech

By the Associated Press 

 Posted Apr 30, 2011 6:27 AM CDT

(AP) – Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi called for a ceasefire and negotiations with NATO powers in a live speech on state TV early Saturday, just as NATO bombs struck a government complex in the Libyan capital. The targeted compound included the state television building and a Libyan official alleged the strikes were meant to kill Gadhafi. However, the TV building was not damaged and Gadhafi spoke from an undisclosed location.

In the rambling pre-dawn speech, Gadhafi appeared both subdued and defiant, repeatedly pausing as he flipped through handwritten notes. “The door to peace is open,” he said. “You are the aggressors. We will negotiate with you. Come, France, Italy, UK, America, come, we will negotiate with you. Why are you attacking us?” He said Libyans have the right to choose their own political system, but not under the threat of NATO bombings. Rebel leaders say they won’t lay down their arms until Gadhafi and his sons step aside.

 

 

 

Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, the youngest son of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and three of Gaddafi’s grandsons have been killed in a NATO airstrike.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Libyans supporting Gadhafi in earlier rally

“The house of Saif al-Arab Gaddafi was attacked tonight with full power. The leader with his wife was there in the house with other friends and relatives,” Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told reporters at press conference in Tripoli early on Sunday morning, AFP reported.

“The attack resulted in the martyrdom of Saif al-Arab, 29 years old, and three of the leader’s grandchildren,” Ibrahim said.

“The leader himself is in good health; he wasn’t harmed. His wife is also in good health; she wasn’t harmed, (but) other people were injured,” he added.

“This was a direct operation to assassinate the leader of this country,” he stated.

Gadhafi's compound in Tripoli after earlier bombing

In the attacks, three massive explosions ripped through Gaddafi’s headquarters in Tripoli on Saturday evening.

Volleys of anti-aircraft fire rang out following the first two strikes on Bab al-Aziziya. The aerial attacks were followed by a third from the same direction, AFP reported.

The strikes came after the Libyan government accused NATO of bombing a center for physically challenged children in Tripoli earlier on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 13 powerful explosions rocked the Libyan port city of Misratah late on Saturday as NATO warplanes struck targets in the opposition-held city.

Earlier in the day, Gaddafi said he would not step down, but he was ready for a ceasefire and negotiations, provided that NATO halted its airstrikes.

Rejecting his offer, NATO announced that it would only consider a ceasefire after Gaddafi forces stop attacking civilians.

The opposition has also dismissed Gaddafi’s ceasefire proposal, saying he has no part to play in the country’s future.

And despite Gaddafi’s calls for a ceasefire, regime forces later rained mortar shells and rockets on Misratah, killing at least 15 people, including a nine-year-old boy.

The regime is trying to block access to Misratah by sea and has threatened to target any ships that enter the port city.

MP/AGB/HGL

Iran has cast doubt on the US bombardment of Libya, saying Washington seeks to take control of Libya’s oil reserves and other natural resources rather than helping its people.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says possession of Libya's oil wells behind NATO/US war

“We have doubt about the US and NATO purpose behind conducting a military operation against Libya. It seems that they intend to (take control of) Libya’s oil wells and maintain deals of their oil companies rather than helping the Libyan people,” IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as speaking to reporters in the Cuban capital, Havana, on Saturday.

He added that the US explicitly supported the ousted dictators in Tunisia and Egypt till the last minute “but it changed its stance immediately after the collapse of the two dictatorships by their people.”

The Iranian spokesman strongly questioned the US military intervention in internal affairs of other countries and the fate of people in the Middle East and North Africa.

A protester holds a placard during a rally against the bombing of Libya, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, March 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

His remarks come as the United States on Wednesday permitted oil deals with Libyan Transitional National Council.

The order, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, will remove legal difficulties pertaining to the ownership of Libya’s oil for potential buyers.

Mehmanparast further described as “politically-motivated” Washington’s claims about human rights, saying, “The US has not yet been able to give explanation to world nations about its inhumane attitude and torture in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons.”

Libyan oil is reason for US/NATO war

“How is it possible that US officials and the media express concern about human rights conditions in certain countries but turn a blind eye toward the fate of people in Bahrain and Yemen?”

The Iranian spokesperson reiterated that the United States is “the biggest violator of human rights in the world.”

Mehmanparast also touched upon the “best” level of political relations between Tehran and Havana and envisaged a bright future in Iran’s cooperation with Latin America countries.

He pointed out that Iran has the know-how to explore and exploit oil and gas and expressed the country’s readiness to transfer its experience to Cuba.

The Iranian spokesperson also met with Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez Costa on Thursday in Havana, where the two officials criticized the United States for its “double-standard” approach toward the crises in the Middle East and North Africa.

AS/AGB/SF/HRF

UPDATE: Go to

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/british-italian-embassies-attacked-in-tripoli-following-nato-airstrike-that-kills-gaddafi-son-grandchildren/2011/05/01/AFVqZjTF_story.html

to read story about burning of U.S., British and Italian embassies in Libya in response to the killings of Gadhafi’s family members. The article says the attack on Gadhafi’s son’s house killed a 6-month-old granddaughter, a 2-year-old grandson and a 2-year-old granddaughter, as well as a friend of Saif al-Arab Gadhafi.

Libyans protest deadly attack on Gadhafi's family while burning U.S. flag

DFT teachers protest pay cut at Cobo Hall contract meeting

FROM STEVE CONN OF DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION/SAVE OUR STUDENTS

Ed. Note: TIP refers to the $500 a month in “deferred” wages that is part of the current Detroit Federation of Teachers contract. Many teachers opposed this provision and there were claims that their contract vote was falsified by DFT leadership.

A state administrative law judge today found that [DPS dictator Robert] Bobb had violated the law in the TIP program and ordered him to pay teachers for all money taken from them with ten percent interest. Appeal certain to follow, but it is a resounding victory.  She adopted every one of our arguments that it was illegal.  CLICK ON DFT TIP_Decision[1] TO READ ENTIRE DECISION.

DPS dictator Robert Bobb and DFT President Johnson during contract negotiations; Johnson has done nothing to fight wave of attacks on DPS

Our victory yesterday in the DPS TIPS lawsuit has made national news. 

Attached is the TIP packet for those DFT members who have NOT already joined the lawsuit (click on DFT TIP packet). You can get back your TIP contributions for the last 12 months, but you MUST fill out these forms.

The surest thing is to bring the completed forms to the DPE/SOS 4:30 pm Saturday meeting, at 19484 James Couzens (northbound Lodge Service Drive, north of Seven Mile) where the lawyers and their assistants can make sure you have properly filled out everything.
 
Saturday’s meeting is also EXTREMELY IMPORTANT because we will be planning for May 11, which is our best shot at finally getting rid of Keith Johnson from the DFT leadership.   

All DFT members must be prepared to be at the DFT Building on Wednesday May 11 for the AFT National Executive Board investigatory hearing to determine whether they will order a new DFT officers election.  The DFT membership voted for a new election at the February meeting.  Winning a new election is do-or-die for EVERY Detroit teacher.   The very existence of our union and any collective bargaining agreement worthy of the name depends on ending Johnson’s high-jacking of the DFT, reinstituting union democracy, and standing up to Bobb’s/Snyder’s destruction of public education in Detroit.   

We hope to see you Saturday.  Please circle May 11 on your calendar.  We will be announcing the time of the AFT Executive Council’s hearing on May 11 when it is established.

Steve Conn
Defend Public Education / Save Our Students
313.645.9340 sjconn@msn.com

• http://defendpubliceducation.com/
• Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/steveconn231

You can also text follow steveconn231 to this phone number: 40404

Look for us at “Save DPS” on Facebook; watch our latest videos at www.youtube.com/dftmembers

Helen Moore at House Education Committee Meeting on what became PA 4

FROM HELEN MOORE: Kicking Bobb’s butt.  More to come.  Never give up.  Justice will prevail.  Keep the Vote meeting will be Tuesday, May 3 at The Dexter-Elmhurst Center at 6PM.  Do not forget Catherine Ferguson hearing to keep the school open also on Tue. at 5:30PM  at the

Frederick Douglas Academy.  The old Murray Wright.

 We will go from that hearing to KTV meeting.  Let’s keep that school open and the other DPS schools.

CLICK ON BOBB_EM_ORDER[1] TO READ DICTATOR BOBB’S NEW ORDER ANNOUNCING POWERS UNDER PA 4.

Mumia Abu-Jamal

Call To Action

from The Black List Pub

April 28, 2011 

On April 26th, the U.S 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the death sentence given to revolutionary journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal in 1982 was “unconstitutional,” and that prosecutors must either accept a ‘life sentence’ or grant a resentencing hearing within six months.

The ruling is only a small step in the right direction and supporters of Mumia should not at all let up on their commitments to securing justice for him.

Zayid Muhammad

“Mumia was framed and his case was mishandled from the very crime scene, to the trial, to the sentencing and even on to the appellate level,” said an exasperated Zayid Muhammad who has been supporting Mumia’s case for over 20 years.

“Mumia is innocent. His case was dogged by prosecutorial misconduct from the inception. There is now overwhelming evidence proving his innocence and that’s what we should be dealing with in court,” he continued.

 “Mumia spending the rest of his life in prison is no victory for the forces of justice, and no one should dare accept that,or expect us to accept that because we won’t,” he finished.

The ruling upholds a 2001 ruling by federal appeals judge William Yohn . No court, however, has yet to reconsider the evidentiary issues that have been developing steadily since 1995.

Pathetically, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Abraham, the area’s first African American prosecutor, said that they may appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court to have the death sentence reinstated…

THE NEW BLACK PANTHER PARTY

NATIONAL MINISTRY OF CULTURE PO BOX 25332, NEWARK, NJ 07101

BABAZAYID@YAHOO.COM 973 202 0745

CLICK ON Mumia 3rd Circuit TO READ ENTIRE DECISION.

Maryanne Godboldo demands return of Ariana at rally after her release from jail

Motions for immediate release based on constitutional violations and lack of emergency need for removal from home to be heard May 11

 All you can eat Fund-raiser Thurs. Apr. 28

By Diane Bukowski

Wayne County Juvenile Court Judge Lynn Pierce

DETROIT – Juvenile Court Judge Lynn Pierce has given Hawthorn Center’s chief medical officer one week to consult with well-known Detroit physician and allopath Dr. Margaret Betts, M.D., and “attempt” to generate a “medically appropriate” joint diagnosis and treatment plan for Ariana Godboldo-Hakim, 13.

“The Department of Human Services (DHS) must immediately look for a placement with a relative,” after the doctors produce the plan, Pierce said during a hearing April 22.

The courtroom was packed with family members and community supporters of the Maryanne Godboldo and her daughter.

Pierce issued the order after a lengthy meeting in chambers with the parties in the case, including  Godboldo, her attorney Wanda Evans, Ariana’s father Mubarak Hakim and his attorney Robert Freeman, attorney David McGuire, appointed to represent Ariana,  and an attorney from State Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office, representing DHS.

Ironically, state law and DHS policies and procedures mandate that those actions should have been taken place well before Child Protective Services case worker Mia Wenk sought a court order to take the child based on her mother’s refusal to medicate her with a psychotropic drug, Risperdal. (See sidebar.)  Wenk had been on the case only two weeks.

 “I think we have made progress toward getting Ariana returned home,” said attorney Wanda Evans after the hearing. “I am glad Dr. [Margaret] Betts is now involved in the treatment plan and hopefully they will have her released within a week.”

Godboldo’s sister Penny Godboldo, said, “I am very happy that the judge put a one-week time limit on the doctors’ consultation with each other. I feel confident that Dr. Betts will do her utmost to make this work.”

Freeman told the judge during the hearing that he wanted to play a videotape of Ariana horse-back riding, dancing and swimming to show the normalcy of her regular home life, but the judge ignored the request.

Mia Wenk

Wenk and two women with her refused comment after the hearing. Wenk, seated at the hearing table as she waited for the in-chambers conference to conclude, repeatedly smiled rather smugly.

Wenk accompanied an army of Detroit police, using helicopters, armored vehicles, and assault weapons, during the seizure of Ariana from her home on Blaine near Linwood March 25. Maryanne Godboldo denied the police entrance to the home for 12 hours, before relenting after being falsely assured that her child would go to her sister Penny Godboldo’s home. Police claimed a shot was fired inside the home during the stand-off.

Detroit police with assault weapons and armored vehicle outside Godboldo home on Blaine Mar. 24

“The Godboldo Family alleges that Ariana has been unjustly deemed a Ward of the State and is being unlawfully held hostage at Hawthorn Center in Northville, Michigan,” they said in an official statement on the case. “[The] Detroit Police Department did not produce a legally validated court order, after Godboldo made numerous requests for them to do so. The Godboldo Family further contends that legally Maryanne Godboldo is within her rights to have custody of her child; that Ariana has been unjustly deemed a Ward of the State and is being unlawfully held hostage at Hawthorn Center.” (Go to   to read entire statement.)

The case has generated outrage and support for the Godboldo family around the world, particularly from thousands of families who have lost their children to state action. Many contend state officials are financially motivated by federal funds received for each child placed in foster care.

Dr. Margaret Betts

Dr. Betts is a well-known Detroit M.D., who has practiced for 25 years. She has strongly supported Maryanne Godboldo’s decision to remove Ariana from Risperdal, prescribed by a doctor at the New Oakland Child-Adolescent Adult Family Center. Godboldo took her daughter there after she appeared to have a severe reaction to vaccinations.

“The medications Maryanne’s child was given have permanent side effects,” Dr. Betts said during a rally in Godboldo’s support April 4.  “She was getting better under the alternative medicines. This was a case of her loving her daughter too much. If it happened to her it can happen to you.”

Pharmaceutical industry makes billions

Godboldo signed a consent form, present in the court record, which stated she had the right to discontinue treatment with the drug at any time. The form, co-signed by Dr. Rajendra Kanneganti, reads, “It has been explained to me that I have the right to withdraw this consent at any time and can stop taking the medication at any time.”

Godboldo mentioned to personnel at the New Oakland Center that she had done so as agreed, after putting Ariana under the treatment of a different doctor to wean her off Risperdal. But the Center promptly reported her to Child Protective Services.

“The doctor I was working with had that consent form all along,” Godboldo said before the hearing.

Attorney Wanda Evans

In the event that Hawthorn and DHS do not move swiftly to return Ariana, Evans said, she has filed motions for the child’s “immediate release based on the constitutional violations, [and] lack of emergency constituting removal.” An evidentiary hearing on the motions is set for May 11.

At an earlier hearing, medical authorities for the state testified there was no emergency need for Ariana to be medicated with Risperdal. In March, the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit in another case challenging the right of police to take a child in the absence of a medical emergency (see VOD article at  http://voiceofdetroit.net/?p=6790  ).

MaryAnne Godboldo still faces eight felony counts related to the stand-off. Court proceedings on those have been postponed until the state Supreme Court rules in another case where the defendant claimed he had a right to resist police intrusion into his home without a warrant, People v. Moreno 488 Mich. 1010 (2010).

The Justice4MaryAnne Committee is sponsoring an “all you can eat” fundraiser Thurs. April 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. in The Tournament Room at the All King’s Men Chess Store, 27170 Dequindre Road, Warren, MI  48092. All proceeds go to the Justice4Maryanne Fund. For more info, call 313-867-4841, or go to http://www.justice4maryanne.com/ .