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Tom Morello Receives Hillman Award for Supporting Madison, Occupy Protests

April 25, 2012 by Jacob Wheeler Labor/Unions, Occupy Movement, Wisconsin Comments Off

Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello performs "This Land is your land" for Wisconsin workers

Click Photo to Watch Tom Morello Pump Up Demonstrators at the Wisconsin State Capitol Last Year

Rage Against the Machine musician and activist Tom Morello, who played for and inspired demonstrators in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol during the workers’ rights uprising last year, will receive a special public service award at the annual 2012 Hillman Prizes ceremony on May 1 in New York City. Previous awards have gone to such figures as Eleanor Roosevelt, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Harry Belafonte.

Last year, Morello also performed at Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. He donated the proceeds from his Justice Tour concerts in Madison, Flint, Mich., and Cleveland to the Nation Institute.

“Tom Morello’s work in pursuing social and economic justice — and in telling the stories of working men and women — is exemplary and inspiring,” said Bruce Raynor, president of the Sidney Hillman Foundation. “Tom’s music, energy and leadership brings attention to causes that matter and inspires others to become more active on the public commons. In the words of another American songwriter, there’s a battle outside and it’s ragin’ — and almost any time we look, there’s Tom Morello right out in front.”

More video: GRITtv’s Laura Flanders interviews Morello in Madison last February … Continue Reading

Journalist Tells Her Story Of Arrest In Wisconsin

June 9, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Media, Wisconsin Comments Off

Video and text by Sam Mayfield- cross posted from her Sam Land blog
On June 6th two journalists were arrested at the state capital in Madison, WI.

I was one of them.

I was grabbed by an aggressive and very escalated police officer after walking in to the state capital on Jne 6th. Officer Corcoran told me to leave, to “get out”. It was bewildering because I was already in the building and was simply walking by him filming my way in to the rotunda.

He grabbed me aggressively. I told him, in the friendliest voice I could find, that I was with the press. He let me walk by.

I recognized him from the many times I have been in the building over the past four months covering the gentle uprising as it develops and unfolds around Governor Scott Walker’s controversial budget repair bill.

Assistant hauled away in handcuffs … Continue Reading

Wisconsin Workers’ Rights Rally Draws More Than Palin Rally

May 16, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

Pictures by Tracey Pollock
This weekend in Madison, 10,000 to 15,000 people protested Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget and his elimination of nearly all collective bargaining rights of public sector employees. The bargaining rights issue is currently tied up in the courts.

Although this weekend’s protest does not match the over 150,000 people who showed up to the last large rally in March, the movement has clearly not stopped in Wisconsin. For some perspective, recall the rally that conservative superstar Sarah Palin held in Madison in April where less than a 1,000 people showed their support for Governor Walker.

At this weekend’s rally, several speakers told the crowd that the fight for labor, immigrant, women’s, education rights is not over. Speakers included Phil Neuenfeldt, president of WI AFL-CIO; Alex Hannah of TAA; Christian Pacheco, an undocumented high school senior speaking for Voces de la Frontera; Mahlon Mitchell of Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin; and Jon Erpenbach Wisconsin state senator 27th district. Erpenbach urged the crowd to not come back to Madison, but help out with the recall elections in or near their home districts as the next action against Governor Walker and Republican legislators.

More pictures … Continue Reading

Jesse Jackson Invokes MLK’s Name For Workers’ Rights

April 5, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

Jesse Jackson saw firsthand how Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for rights such as collective bargaining. Now 43 years to the day after King’s death, Jackson says the battle is being fought again. This time instead of Memphis, Tennessee where King was assassinated, the battleground is Madison, Wisconsin where workers’ rights such as collective bargaining are under attack from Republican Governor Scott Walker and the Republican controlled legislature.

Wisconsin Rally Invokes MLK’s Name For Workers’ Rights

April 4, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Live Coverage, Wisconsin Comments Off

theuptake on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Thousands of people gather at the State Capitol in Madison for the “We Are One” rally and the “Memphis to Madison” rally to mark the 43rd anniversary of the death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. He was assassinated in Memphis 40 years ago today while helping public workers rally for their rights. 40 years later, public workers are again rallying for their rights to collective bargaining, this time in Madison, Wisconsin where Governor Scott Walker and a Republican legislature are attempting to outlaw most collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Our coverage is tape delayed. Tapes are being shot and then carried over to WORT-FM and played back here.

Michelle Shocked Speaks, Sings About MLK, Workers’ Rights

April 4, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

Singer songwriter Michelle Shocked talks with The UpTake’s Sam Mayfield and WORT-FM’s Norm Stockwell about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 43rd anniversary of his assassination. People in Wisconsin are marking the occasion with a workers’ rights rally at the State Capitol in Madison.

WI Rep. Tammy Baldwin Speaks Out For Workers’ Rights

March 16, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

So much happened so fast in Madison, Wisconsin this past weekend that we’re still posting essential video from the protests. This is one such moment. Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D) making a passionate speech at a “Speak Out For Workers’ Rights” presentation Saturday night. The program at the Barrymore Theatre also included speeches from Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Columnist Jim Hightower.

Show-me-what-democracy-looks-like

March 14, 2011 by admin Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

The phrase that is heard over and over in Madison, Wisconsin at rallies. This chant is led by Mahlon Mitchell, state president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin.

Farmers Turn Out Huge Crop Of Protesters In Madison, WI

March 13, 2011 by Michael McIntee Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off

“Recall Walker” chant the thousands of farmers, public employees, union members and other citizens concerned about workers’ rights. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has signed a bill stripping public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights. A lawsuit claiming the bill was passed illegally will be heard in court on Wednesday.

Workers’ rights advocates are circulating petitions to recall Governor Walker and many of the Republican Senators who voted to pass the bill.

Police estimate that 85,000 to 100,000 people attended the Saturday rally, making it the largest so far. Other estimates of crowd size ranged much higher.

The UpTake’s Chuck Olsen shows us the spectacle of political street theater and protest which included tractors and people costumed as cows in solidarity.

Rep. Kucinich Fires Up Madison Workers’ Rights Rally

March 13, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Labor/Unions, Wisconsin Comments Off


Representative Dennis Kucinich, (D- Ohio) attacked Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker for his trashing of workers’ rights. The Governor signed a bill that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public employees. This “Speak Up For Workers’ Rights” rally happened after a massive protest at Wisconsin’s State Capitol.

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Click on photo to watch Senator Al Franken's news conference on college financial aid reform

Sen. Franken Announces “True Cost Of College” Act

Senator Al Franken announces the “Understanding The True Cost Of College Act” that would require colleges to use easier to understand language in their financial aid package offers to students.

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First Somali Delegate Headed to Democratic National Convention

Hindia Ali, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator at Somali Action Alliance is a delegate the the 2012 National Democratic Convention, the first Somali-American to be a delegate.

Click photo to watch President Obama's speech

Obama Rips GOP’s “Radical Vision” For US

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, President Obama ripped into Republicans for their lack of compromising and for the first time mentioned his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, by name.

Click on Photo to View Women's Discussion About Health Care and the Affordable Care Act

“Being a Woman Shouldn’t be a Pre-existing Condition”

Minnesota women in healthcare predicaments met with with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and Governor Mark Dayton on Friday — the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Click photo to watch President Obama's weekly address

Obama:Fraud, Middle East Conflict, Driving Up Gas Prices

President Obama says many of the factors that are driving up gas prices are out of our control such as unrest in the Middle East. However, he points out there are some things that are in our control such as fraud and manipulation that can cause prices to spike even further.

Click photo to hear President Obama speak about alternative energy

Obama Makes Case For Alternative Energy

President Obama talks about an all-of-the-above American energy strategy at a Daimler manufacturing plant in North Carolina that’s making trucks that run on natural gas.

No recount this time. Click photo to watch the MN Congressional Cookoff

Another Close One For Sen. Al Franken- Ties In Hotdish Cookoff

Senator Al Franken is used to close elections. This time he didn’t beat his opponents, but had to settle for a tie with Representative Chip Cravaack in the second annual Minnesota Congressional delegation hotdish cookoff.

Click photo to watch President Obama address business roundtable in Washington, DC

Obama:Tax Reform Like “Pulling Teeth”

President Obama would like to reform taxes so we reward companies that invest in the US, not ones that send jobs overseas. But there are some barriers, such as Congress.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama

Israel-US United Against Iran Says Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his photo op with President Obama today to talk up how the US and Israel are united against Iran, which is suspected of trying to create a nuclear bomb.

President Obama speaks to the American-Israel Lobby

Obama:Military Force Against Iran Possible To Thwart Nuclear Program

President Obama warns that “loose talk” of war was only helping Iran, while pushing back against charges from GOP presidential contenders that he has been less than a loyal ally to Israel.

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“Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Members of the Welfare Rights Committee disrupt the signing of the Vikings Stadium Bill. They claim, “Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Click on this photo to see video of conference.

Minnesota Somali Women And Men Discuss Infertility Issues

Somali women and men gather to discuss the many aspects of female infertility with medical and social experts.

3M Demo

MN Activists Call on 3M to Remove Corporate Funds From Politics

3M shareholders at annual meeting were asked to stop all corporate contributions to political campaigns and to disclose corporate political lobbying efforts. As expected, the resolutions were voted down, but the activists pledged to continue efforts.

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Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Healing Minnesota’s Darkest Period: Pardoning a Dakota Indian

After the six-week US-Dakota War of 1862, 38 Dakota men were hung in one of the largest mass executions in US History. Many argue that the trials were a sham, that is was the largest injustice in the nation’s history. Today, Representative Dean Urdahl, Chair of the Legacy Committee in Minnesota and the Civil War Task Force, seeks to, “rub a little salve in the wound,” by seeking a pardon for one of those warriors who was hung on that fateful December day. His name is Chaska.

Rep. Ryan Winkler on the House Floor before 2011 Special Session

Stadium Opponent Rep. Winkler Decides To Vote For Stadium.

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL) decides to support the Vikings stadium because of the jobs it will create.

Governor Dayton and Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf

Vikings Stadium Bill Sent To Governor Dayton

The Minnesota House and Senate have each approved different versions of a Vikings stadium proposal. So now it is up to a conference committee to reconcile the differences.

Governor Mark Dayton Vetos GOP Tax Bill

Dayton Tax Veto Imperils Vikings Stadium Says GOP

Principle or politics? On Friday, Governor Mark Dayton went heavily with principle and imperiled the politics of his top legislative priority — thousands of jobs from building a new Vikings football stadium.

Joh Marty

MN Tax bill deserves ‘smoking’ hot veto pen’ says DFL

A bill that would give business owners a tax cut is hailed by Senator Geoff Michel (R-Edina) as the “best piece of legislation” to be considered his year. Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville ) counters it deserves a “smoking’ hot veto pen” because it isn’t paid for.

Click on photo of Sen Jungbauer to hear why accident prone people like himself should use fireworks.

MN Fireworks Veto Override Is A Dud

A Minnesota Senate attempt to override Governor Mark Dayton’s veto of a bill expanding the kinds of fireworks that can legally be sold in Minnesota fails to get the 2/3rds majority needed.

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Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Click Photo to Hear Opinions on How the City Should Help North Minneapolis

Does North Minneapolis Need Pie in the Sky Ideas or Roofs Overhead?

Nearly a year after the tornado that ripped through North Minneapolis, opinions vary greatly on what the poverty-stricken community needs most from local and state government. Should the City introduce “pie in the sky” ideas or focus on more immediate problems?

Click photo of Rep. Bobby Jo Champion  to View Video Interview

Rep. Bobby Jo Champion Touts Legislation to Rebuild North Minneapolis

Representative Bobby Jo Champion talks about the challenges facing some of his constituents in North Minneapolis almost a year after a devastating tornado.

Click photo to watch video about how tornado damaged North Minneapolis is being rebuilt right.

Rebuild It Right in North Minneapolis: Quality Design Isn’t Just For Rich People

Rebuild It Right, an organization made up of architects and designers from Minneapolis, is helping homeowners advocate for quality design in the wake of the May 22nd Tornado.

Don Samuels Talks Jobs

New Stadium Deal Promises Jobs for North Minneapolis Residents

The Vikings stadium deal got the support of Minneapolis City Council members. Council member Don Samuels says that this is a good deal for his constituents. It will provide jobs to a part of the city that has the highest rate of unemployment.

Click photo to watch how Urban Homeworks is helping homeowners in north Minneapolis

Urban Homeworks: Fighting Foreclosures in North Minneapolis

Local, Minneapolis non-profit Urban Homeworks works with banks and other community organizations to fight foreclosures.

Monique White celebrates a delay on evicting her from her home. Click photo to watch video.

Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Seeks Jury Trial

Embattled homeowner Monique White took one more step Friday toward what could become an improbable victory that would let her stay in her North Minneapolis home. Judge Mark Labine will decide on Monday whether White will get a jury trial in District Court.

Click on Photo to View Video of Northside Economic Opportunity Network

Northside Economic Opportunity Network Boosts Business in North Minneapolis

The Northside Economic Opportunity Network works with small businesses and micro-businesses in North Minneapolis to help them achieve success.

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2011 UpTake Stories With The Most Impact

If we didn’t cover these stories, who would have?

City Pages Cover-The Forgotten Neighborhood

The Forgotten Neighborhood

As we’ve been reporting for the past six months, many tornado victims who need help still haven’t gotten it.

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  • Sunday, May 20, 09:00 AM
    Through negotiations and persistence and the good will of all, Phil Freshman and Jim Roth have worked with Beth El Synagogue and obtained a weekend (5/18-20)in residence of a Torah Scholar, Rabbi Kahn-Troster, on the issue of human rights and torture. The issues will be addressed from religious, legal, medical, ethical and practical perspectives. Open to the […]
  • Saturday, Jun 02, 09:00 AM
    DFL State Convention-Day 1- Rochester, MN Saturday, June 2 – Sunday June 3, 2012 Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904) […]
  • Sunday, Jun 03, 09:00 AM
    DFL State Convention-Day 2- Rochester, MN Sunday June 3, 2012 Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904) […]

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