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Kid Rock gets award from Rev. Wendell Anthony, head of Detroit NAACP, during Freedom Fund dinner. Anthony also sits on the board of the Detroit General Retirement System, and remarked at its meeting Wed. July 8 that Greece needs an Emergency Manager!

Adaj Parr‎

Why are you a member of the Detroit NAACP…? (Facebook page)

July 11, 2015

Kid Rock making cozy with Wendell Anthony and former Mayor Dave Bing.

DETROIT— Let’s be clear, when Kid Rock speaks on matters of social issues he speaks for all those who support him. That includes organizations that have honored him. The Detroit Branch NAACP led by Wendell Anthony honored Kid Rock.

Kid Rock told Rev. Charlies Williams II and Rev. Al Sharpton both who represent the National Action Network (NAN), and Sam Riddle, to KISS HIS ASS!

Kid Rocks speaks for Wendell and the Detroit Branch NAACP. Kid Rock supports waving the Confederate Flag and all that it stands for. Wendell Anthony and the Detroit Branch NAACP support Kid Rock!

Kid Rock, Wendell Anthony

VOD: Mr. Parr asked Rev. Charles Williams in an earlier post: what are you going to do about it? That question should also be put to NAN’s national head the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Related:

The MLIVE story below includes clips from the racist national coverage supporting Kid Rock, e.g. comments about how much Kid Rock has allegedly done for Detroit, and who the real villains in Detroit are: the city’s Black leadership for the past 30 years. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2015/07/kid_rock_tells_people_boycotti.html

Pensioners protest in front of the finance ministry in central Athens, July 10, 2015. Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will seek backing for a harsh new austerity package from his party Friday to keep his country in the euro.(Photo: Emilio Morenatti / AP)

“If this is Europe, then we don’t want this Europe. If this is the eurozone, we don’t care if we go out or in. If in this life we’ll be slaves, it’s better to be dead.” — Aristidis Dimoupulos, Athens marketing professor

By Derek Gatopoulos and Elena Becatoros,

Associated Press

July 10, 2015

Greek leader Alexis Tsiparas in front of his party Syriza’s flag, is trying to sell new austerity measures to his parliament.

Athens, Greece — Left-wing Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was seeking backing for a harsh new austerity package from his party Friday to keep his country in the euro — less than a week after urging Greeks to reject milder cuts in a referendum.

Government ministers signed off on the sweeping new measures — likely to extend the recession after six years of painful decline — that include pension cuts and tax hikes.

The proposals were sent to rescue creditors for approval at emergency meetings of European Union leaders and finance ministers over the weekend. The proposed new bailout worth nearly $60 billion would be Greece’s third since it lost market access in 2010.

But in an unusual procedure, Tsipras is first seeking authorization from parliament to negotiate with the creditors based on the proposal in a vote Friday. He is essentially asking his Syriza party to sign off on the U-turn despite more than 60 percent of voters opposing more austerity in the July 5 referendum.

Did Greeks want MORE austerity measures when they voted Tsiparas in? Supporters of Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece’s Syriza left-wing main opposition party attend his pre-election speech at Omonia Square in Athens Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. . (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Tsipras was convening his party’s lawmakers for discussions Friday morning before the parliamentary debate.

The coalition government has 162 seats in the 300-member parliament and pledged backing on a deal from a large section of opposition lawmakers. But failure to deliver votes from his own government would likely topple his coalition.

The proposals are to be discussed by eurozone finance ministers on Saturday, ahead of a summit of the European Union’s 28 leaders Sunday.

Greeks march with banner: STOP AUSTERITY GROWTH NOW!

“My feeling is that the agreement will be signed,” said Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas as he arrived in parliament. He said he believed both the party and parliament would sign off on the proposal, “and we will have an agreement, that is my feeling, on Sunday night.”

As the government inched closer to a deal to ensure Greece doesn’t crash out of Europe’s joint currency, some Greeks adopted a ‘wait and see’ approach.

“I don’t know. The chances are fifty-fifty” for a deal, said Athens resident Omiros Fotiadis. There were many things to take into account, he said. “One being if all the European countries will accept the agreement, as well as the institutions, and the other is whether the agreement … will be accepted internally.”

But some were furious at the deep spending cuts in the proposals.

“If this is Europe, then we don’t want this Europe,” said Aristidis Dimoupulos, a marketing professor in Athens. “If this is the eurozone, we don’t care if we go out or in. If in this life we’ll be slaves, it’s better to be dead.”

The negotiations have come amid capital controls in Greece, with banks shut since late last month and Greeks restricted to cash withdrawals of 60 euros ($67) per day. Although credit and debit cards work freely within the country, many businesses are refusing to accept them and insisting on cash-only payments. All money transfers abroad, including bill payments, require special permission from a finance ministry committee. Continue reading →

WE NOW NEED YOUR HELP AND THAT OF THE COMMUNITY

NOTICE (Sharing Informs the Public)

Dear Friend:

Tom Barrow: Citizens for Detroit’s Future NEEDS YOU!

As many reading this will know, last October, Citizens for Detroit’s Future and a number of determined Detroiters, undertook an Initiative to create a first ever Detroit election Ordinance.

The Initiative would “Provide for the Immediate Posting of Detroit Election Results”.  The Ordinance creates a public transparency by informing the public of election results…in real time…i.e. after the polls have closed for the evening.  The Initiative grew from numerous recurring anomalies discovered during city election recounts which the public never sees.

To create the Ordinance, CFDF turned to Section 12-105 of the city’s charter which requires that petition Initiatives be submitted to the Clerk’s office and validated by the Detroit Election Commission.

Call Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and at least your own Council member.

This past May 28th, the Detroit Election Commission reported to us and the Detroit City Council, that our petitions had sufficient valid signatures to move the Initiative forward.  That “report” activated Section 12-107 of the Charter which mandates that council must conduct a “public hearing” and a vote to enact the Ordinance within 60 days of May 28th or before July 27th.

Earlier this week,  each member of the Detroit City Council received a certified letter from our organization further informing them of the requirements under the Detroit City Charter and its deadlines.  It is now important that the public get involved by taking just 2 minutes to minimally call the Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones’ Office (313-224-1245) and then their own Council Member’ Office.

The call should inquire as to:

1) when the public hearing will be held

2) when will the matter be formally voted upon and

3) ask that they do so immediately.  

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PHONE NUMBERS 

• Detroit City Council-President, Brenda Jones, 313-224-1245; 
• James Tate, Dist. #1,313-224-1027;
• George Cushingberry, Dist #2, 313-224-4535;
• Scott Benson, Dist #3, 313-224-1198;
• Andre Spivey, Dist #4, 313-224-4841; 
• Mary Sheffield, Dist #5, 313-224-4505;
• Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, Dist #6, 313-224-2450;
• Gabe Leland, Dist # 7,313-224-2151;
• Janeê Ayers, At-Large, 313-224-4248)

Demand that he/she contact the Clerk’s office to demand that her report be issued forthwith as is required by Charter.

We understand that a call takes time but it is essential that officials respect both you as a citizen and importantly, the democratic process.

Respectfully,

CITIZENS FOR DETROIT’S FUTURE

Previous release: July 7, 2015

Contact: Citizens for Detroit’s Future

Media Telephone: 313  393-3100  – Option 3

INITIATIVE SUCCEEDS:  COUNCIL TO TAKE UP ELECTION REFORM

Historic Initiative Creates July 27th Charter Deadline for Full Council Vote

DETROIT (July 7, 2015) — In what is being hailed as an historic exercise of Detroiters democratic rights,  Citizens for Detroit’s Future president Tom Barrow today announced that the city’s Election Commission had secretly “reported” to City Council President Brenda Jones, (a requirement of Charter Section 12-105), that the Group’s reform petition to “Provide for the Immediate Posting of Election Results” had enough valid signatures to move the Initiative forward.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is part of current unelected Election Commission, which is a division of her office.

The Detroit Election Commission’s notification activates Section. 12-107  titled Time Limit for Enactment or Repeal of Ordinance and mandates a public hearing and full Council vote on the Ordinance by July 27th.

In an envelope containing the May 28th “Report” and post marked June 25th and addressed to Citizens for Detroit’s Future‘s President Tom Barrow, Detroit Election Commission Deputy Director, Gina Avery-Walker secretly “reported” that CFDF’s petitions had been checked and was found to have sufficient valid signatures to go forward. The notification automatically activates Section 12-107 which requires a hearing and vote by the entire council within 60 days of the May 28th date or by July 27th.

“While I am convinced that receiving a letter addressed to me nearly a month after it was written is no accident, it not only emphasizes further the need for reform but also confirms that certain Officials are resistant to our public transparency Initiative.” said Tom Barrow, the group’s president.

“With a kind of official resistance, it is essential now, more than ever, that the public get involved as a united public seeking reform is more powerful” he said.

Contact: Terry Stanton, (517) 335-2167

Media Advisory for Friday July 10, 2015

The Wayne County Financial Review Team, appointed to examine the county’s finances following a preliminary review requested by the County Executive, is scheduled to conduct a public information meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015.

The public information meeting, required under Public Act 436 of 2012 (Local Fiscal Stability and Choice Act), provides Wayne County residents an opportunity to share their opinions, thoughts, and/or concerns about the county with members of the review team. The review team will not be issuing a report or presenting information regarding its review of the county’s finances during this meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Wayne County Commission chambers on the mezzanine level of the Guardian Building, 500 Griswold Street in Detroit.

# # # #

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans requested state review team.

MEMBERS OF REVIEW TEAM

Clarence Stone, director of Legal Affairs for the State Housing Development Authority;

Jeffrey Bankowski, chief internal auditor, State Budget Office;

Tom Davis, deputy director at the Senate Majority Policy Office;

Sharon Madison, owner of design and construction firm Madison Madison International, and

Frederick Headen, legal adviser for the Michigan Department of Treasury. He also was on the financial review team for the city of Detroit that was appointed in December 2011.

The review team has up to 60 days to report to the governor whether a financial emergency exists in Wayne County. State Treasurer Nick Khouri, a member of the Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board, said he expects it to be completed within “weeks, not months.”

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans requested that the state step in on county finances.

Rev. Pinkney campaigns against Whirlpool during PGA tournament in Benton Harbor May 26, 2012.

By David Sole and Marcina Cole

July 6, 2015

Prisoners in Lakeland Correctional Facility yard.

Coldwater, Mich.  In rural, south central Michigan, several hours from Detroit, sits Lakeland Correctional Facility.

Upon our arrival we noticed the sun reflecting brightly off the triple row of 12-feet-high razorwire, coil fencing surrounding the extensive state prison. After passing through metal detectors, pat-downs and shoe, sock and feet inspections, we entered the visiting room to the warm embrace of the Rev. Edward Pinkney.

Rev. Pinkney, a leading African-American activist in Benton Harbor, Mich., was tried and convicted in late 2014 by an all-white jury for supposedly altering five dates on a recall petition against Benton Harbor’s mayor. Not one shred of evidence was presented that Pinkney committed these alleged acts.

The prosecutor, Michael Sepic, could not produce one witness to say that Rev. Pinkney was the culprit. Judge Sterling R. Schrock allowed Sepic to tell the jury, “You don’t need evidence to convict Mr. Pinkney.”

Rev. Edward Pinkney during earlier visit with Marcina Cole.

All the prosecutor showed the jury was that Rev. Pinkney was a speaker at press conferences and chaired meetings of his organization, BANCO (Black Autonomy Network Community Organization). That was enough for this gang of racists to convict and sentence him to 2.5 to 10 years in prison.

As we sat and talked, we were amazed at Pinkney’s energy and optimism after six months behind bars. He had petitioned the authorities to be transferred to Lakeland, which is not far from his spouse Dorothy, making visits much easier. Previously he had been at Marquette prison, a 10-hour drive from his home.

But Rev. Pinkney was also somber about his situation. “Lakeland has 1,400 prisoners, and I’d say 70 percent are lifers,” Pinkney told us. “Being here is serious business. Every day is a challenge. Many of these guys have been here 20, 30, 40 or more years. Today ‘life imprisonment’ means just that — they will never get out.”

Helping those ‘who will never get out’

In his short time among these men, Pinkney has done what he always does — organize and assist people.

“I spend most mornings and afternoons in the law library helping inmates with legal research. Then a group of lifers asked me to help them better organize their group meetings, which I am doing. The Muslim prisoners invited me to speak to their Friday prayer session when they found out about my case and history of activism.”

Rev. Pinkney receives many books and periodicals from supporters. Part of the work we do in the Detroit-based Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs and the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice is fundraising for his legal appeal. We also send a monthly donation to help pay for his daily phone calls to his spouse. He often calls in to our weekly Monday evening meetings.

Rev. Pinkney is a voracious reader, so we send him one or two books a month and gave him a subscription to Workers World newspaper, which the prison allows in. “I share the books and articles you send me. As soon as I am done they go hand to hand,” he said. He noted that he could use more good reading material.

Sentenced to death in prison.

Pinkney’s activism and kindness have won him the respect and admiration of many of the prisoners, but not all. “I’d say that 90 percent of the prisoners here love me and 10 percent hate me. That 10 percent resent my getting so many visitors, when many of them never get a visit. They resent the many books and letters I get. They resent that I will get out of this prison sooner or later and maybe they won’t.”

This small group of hostile prisoners poses a problem for Rev. Pinkney and could endanger his safety. “I try to avoid confrontations and de-escalate situations. But I don’t let them bully me. Several tense situations have arisen. Everyone here knows what goes on, and some of the Muslim brothers have taken to escorting me through the facility when I am done at the library each day. I told them I could take care of myself, but they insist,” said Pinkney.

“Another danger is that my friends and supporters might take it upon themselves to physically confront those who might threaten me — and that would also drag me into a situation involving the prison authorities. So I have to chill my friends out.”

Don’t sweep this injustice ‘under the rug’

Rev. Pinkney and his wife Dorothy have battled against the Whirlpool Corporation, which has decimated Benton Harbor with job loss and land grabs, for years.

Rev. Pinkney was looking forward to his appeal, which is being filed soon. His hope of getting an appeal bond and going home was strong. He has high hopes that he will be released soon because there was no evidence to convict him of felony crimes. But he also knows that there is a “criminal enterprise in Berrien County” that put him in prison in the first place.

The court officials, Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower and behind them the power of the Whirlpool Corporation headquartered there will be working overtime to try to stop him from returning home. “I am asking all my supporters to get the word out in the next 30 days after the appeal is filed. Get this out to the news media so that this injustice can’t be swept under the rug and the appeals court is forced to deliver justice,” Pinkney urged.

For information on how to help free this political prisoner, visit bhbanco.org.

Send letters (no cards, books or objects — only letters) to Rev. Edward Pinkney #294671, Lakeland Correctional Facility, 141 First St., Coldwater, MI 49036. Send a book to Rev. Pinkney only through Schulerbooks.com using this address and his prisoner number.

Order a “Free Rev. Pinkney” white T-shirt (sizes M, L, XL, 2X, 3X) for a $10 donation plus $3 shipping (proceeds go to his legal expenses) at moratorium-mi.org., or mail your order and payment to Moratorium NOW!, 5920 Second Ave., Detroit, MI 48202.

Print PDF

Also see:

1. Racist court denies justice for Michigan Civil Rights leader
2. Civil rights activist denied appeal bond
3. Campaign builds to free Rev. Pinkney
4. Rev. Pinkney jailed for fighting racist power structure
5. Political prisoner’s health scare ignites mass action

Related VOD stories:

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2015/04/07/fight-to-free-rev-edward-pinkney-from-prison-convicted-by-all-white-jury-with-no-evidence/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2015/01/28/rev-pinkney-now-in-marquette-prison-trial-motions-hearing-tues-feb-24-1-pm-st-joseph-mi/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/12/28/rev-pinkney-defense-campaign-builds-wife-says-they-remain-strong-despite-racist-imprisonment/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/12/16/rev-pinkney-gets-2-5-10-yrs-as-cops-wilson-pantaleo-walk-on-mike-brown-eric-garner-murders/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/11/30/rev-pinkney-lynch-mob-mentality-in-st-joseph-as-he-awaits-sentencing-dec-15/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/11/05/all-white-jury-convicts-rev-pinkney-of-5-felony-counts-pros-wants-life-sentence/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/10/29/free-rev-pinkney-frame-up-benton-harbor-trial-targets-nationally-known-freedom-fighter/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/07/13/drop-the-charges-against-rev-edward-pinkney-of-benton-harbor-trial-set-for-july-21/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/06/07/benton-harbor-rev-pinkney-to-face-trial-on-felony-charges-july-21-despite-no-evidence/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/06/03/rev-pinkney-in-the-mouth-of-the-beast-in-benton-harbor/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/05/27/dismiss-all-charges-against-rev-pinkney-court-fri-may-30-save-benton-harbor-boycott-whirlpool/

http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/05/10/rev-edward-pinkney-marcus-muhammad-battle-whirlpool-for-benton-harbor-pinkney-court-hearing-may-30/

 http://voiceofdetroit.net/2014/04/26/free-rev-edward-pinkney-recall-whirlpool-stooge-benton-harbor-mayor-james-hightower/

Greeks celebrate projected “NO” vote on austerity.

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS and NEBI QENA

July 5, 2015

Greeks voting overwhelmingly against banks’ demands for more austerity

Earlier polls had expected close vote

ATHENS, Greece — Greece faced an uncharted future as its interior ministry predicted Sunday that more than 60 percent of voters in a hastily called referendum had rejected creditors’ demands for more austerity in exchange for rescue loans.

Greek Prime Minister Alex Tsipras votes.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who was gambling the future of his 5-month-old left-wing government on the vote, insisted that a “no” vote would strengthen his hand to negotiate a better deal with creditors, while a “yes” result would mean capitulating to their harsh demands.

The opposition has accused Tsipras of jeopardizing the country’s membership in the 19-nation club that uses the euro and said a “yes” vote was about keeping the common currency.

With more than half of the votes counted Sunday evening, the “no” side had about 61 percent of the vote, compared with 39 percent for “yes.” The interior ministry predicted that margin would hold.

Thousands of government supporters gathered in celebration, waving Greek flags and chanting “No, No, No.”

Greeks wave their nation’s flag to celebrate ‘NO’ vote on austerity.

“We don’t want austerity measures anymore, this has been happening for the last five years and it has driven so many into poverty, we simply can’t take any more austerity,” said Athens resident Yiannis Gkovesis, 26, holding a large Greek flag in the city’s main square.

Governing left-wing Syriza party Eurodeputy Dimitris Papadimoulis said that “Greek people are proving they want to remain in Europe” as equal members “and not as a debt colony.” The referendum was Greece’s first in 41 years.

Jubilant ‘NO’ supporter waves flag of governing left-wing Syriza party.

Minister of State Nikos Papas, speaking on Alpha television, said it would be “wrong to link a ‘no’ result to an exit from the eurozone. If a ‘no’ prevails that will help us get a better agreement.”

Tsipras’ high-stakes brinkmanship with lenders from the eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund resulted in Greece defaulting on its debts this week and shutting down its banks to avoid their collapse. He called the referendum last weekend, giving both sides just a week to campaign.

“Today, democracy is defeating fear … I am very optimistic,” Tsipras said earlier in the day after voting in in Athens.

European officials had openly urged Greeks to vote against the government’s recommendation.

Greeks march with Syriza flag to support ‘NO’ vote on austerity measures.

“I hope people say ‘yes,'” European Parliament President Martin Schulz told German public radio. “If after the referendum, the majority is a ‘no,’ they will have to introduce another currency because the euro will no longer be available for a means of payment.”

Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt was one of the first eurozone ministers to react to the initial results.

Large lines could still be seen outside ATMs all over the country, as worried citizens continue to withdraw their daily limit of €60 ($67), a restriction imposed by the banks. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/Newscom/Reuters

“This likely ‘no’ complicates matters,” he told Belgium’s VRT network, but insisted the door remained open to resume talks with the Greek government within hours.

The vote was held amid banking restrictions imposed last Monday to halt a bank run, with Greeks queuing up at ATMs across the country to withdraw a maximum 60 euros per day. Banks have been shut all week, and it is uncertain when they will reopen. Large lines once again formed at ATMs on Sunday.

Daniel Tsangaridis, a 35-year-old Athens resident, said he didn’t expect banks to reopen soon, despite a government pledge that they would do so Tuesday.

“It’s not going to happen in the next 48 hours,” he said. “If the situation improves and we can have a deal, then the banks will open.”

Bank debt, ratings downgrades  are burdening  people of Greece and the world. CANCEL THE DEBT!

The Syriza party came to power in January after a six-year recession. Since then, the standoff between Athens and its international lenders has grown more bitter, and early signs of some economic growth and recovering employment in Greece have disappeared.

The debt-wracked nation also suffered repeated ratings downgrades and lost access to billions of euros after its existing bailout deal expired last week.

Polls published Friday showed the two sides in a dead heat with an overwhelming majority — about 75 percent — wanting Greece to remain in the euro currency.

“Today, we Greeks decide on the fate of our country,” conservative opposition leader Antonis Samaras said. “We vote ‘yes’ to Greece. We vote ‘yes’ to Europe.”

This bride told reporters, “The only time I will say YES today is to my new husband.”

The sense of urgency was palpable as Greeks struggled to decipher a convoluted referendum question after being bombarded with frenzied messages warning of the country’s swiftly approaching financial collapse.

Neither result on Sunday, however, would lead to a clear answer on what Greece should do about its overstretched finances.

Greece is no longer in a bailout program since its previous package expired last Tuesday. It now has to negotiate a new one with its creditors that involves even more money for the government and banks and new economic austerity measures.

Despite the Greek government’s assertion that a “no” vote will not lead to a euro exit, most experts agree it would open up more uncertain financial outcomes.

A number of European politicians, including Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the top eurozone official, have said a “no” vote would jeopardize Greece’s place in the 19-nation eurozone. Investors are also likely to believe a “no” win increases the chance of a so-called “Grexit,” where Greece returns to its own old currency.

Earlier, Greeks held massive protests against austerity, including pension cuts.

Related:

http://www.workers.org/articles/2015/06/30/bankers-aim-to-strangle-greece-seeking-capitulation-and-regime-change/