I met Tom Hayden through launching Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) with my friend Tim Carpenter. Tim and Tom have known each other for years. Throughout building PDA Tom grew close as a friend and constantly tested my progressive values. The first day I met him at the conference at Roxburry, MA. I had the privilege to introduce him. During his speech he received no less the 5 standing ovations. How do I follow him?
He made comment that the future of the movement belongs with American’s youth. When he ended the speech with that comment… he had planned to exit stage right where hundreds of activists waiting to talk to him. Knowing I was next to speak and him wanting to give the stage to the future generations… he stopped… and did not walk off the stage. He took a chair right behind me for my entire speech. At that moment I knew Tom was a man of action. He puts his words into action.
Today, after spending years working with him on Capitol Hill, on the streets, and even during the 2004 Democratic Convention… I consider him a friend and mentor.
Here is a great interview with him and Naomi Klein.
Below is a great report Center for American Progress / Campus Progress. It argues that the younger generation is one of the most progressive when it comes to economic issues - both currently and compared to other generations when they were young people.
“Millennials’ views on the economy, a majority of 18- to 29-year-olds (our definition of this generation) believe that the government can be a force for good in the economy, and that increased investments in healthcare, education, and other areas are necessary to ensure strong and sustainable economic growth.”
Young adults today—often known as the Millennial Generation—have decidedly progressive views on economic issues, possibly more so than any previous generation. According to the results of our first-of-a-kind analysis of Millennials’ views on the economy, a majority of 18- to 29-year-olds (our definition of this generation) believe that the government can be a force for good in the economy, and that increased investments in healthcare, education, and other areas are necessary to ensure strong and sustainable economic growth. Continue reading →
Position: Young Democrats of Arizona Chapter Organizers.
Where: One Chapter Organizer based in Maricopa County, and one Chapter Organizer based in Pima County.
Hours: Part time, minimum of 20 hours per week.
Salary: $500 Monthly Stipend.
Job Description: The Young Democrats of Arizona Chapter Organizers report directly to the Executive Director of the Young Democrats of Arizona (YDAZ). The YDAZ Chapter Organizers are responsible for the implementation of projects as assigned on behalf of the Young Democrats of Arizona and the Young Democrats of America. This includes, but is not limited to: Continue reading →
I just confirmed this. He has yet to be arraigned (now 2:36pm.) But the Caucus was able to secure several lawyers to speak with him. They have confirmed he has a broken leg. We do not no if he is receiving adequate medical attention, but I do know he is in pain. More soon…
(UPDATE) Rev is home with a broken leg. He is on crutches. He has several misdemeanor charges which include attacking an officer. As most know Rev… he is a simple man. He walks nearly everywhere and has always been fine doing so. So now being on crutches, this will limit his movement work significantly. Any support during this time would be appreciated. Consider making a donation to the Hip Hop Caucus at www.hiphopcaucus.org.
Please show your solidarity by coming to his arraignment on September 11th.
He is being held overnight in jail and will be arraigned tomorrow at 1:00 in DC Superior Court (500 Indiana Ave.)
This is near the Judiciary Square Metro Stop.
Rev. Yearwood did not assault the police or even resist them. We hear he is being charged with a felony resisting arrest. This is often done when police overreact and use unnecessary force in order to justify their actions. This is a serious charge. The community needs to come out today and show their support for this important spokesperson for our cause.
Capitol Hill Police ‘Football Tackled’ Hip Hop Activist Rev. Lennox Yearwood at Petreus Hearing
UPDATE: I am told that they are planning to charge him with attacking an officer. Please see the video for yourself. He is in the hospital recovering. I will keep you posted on details as they develop.
WASHINGTON - September 10 - Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus, was attacked by six capitol police today, when he was stopped from entering the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill, where General Petreaus gave testimony today to a joint hearing for the House Arms Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee on the war in Iraq.
After waiting in line throughout the morning for the hearing that was scheduled to start at 12:30pm, Rev. Yearwood was stopped from entering the room, while others behind him were allowed to enter. He told the officers blocking his ability to enter the room, that he was waiting in line with everyone else and had the right to enter as well. When they threatened him with arrest he responded with “I will not be arrested today.” According to witnesses, six capitol police, without warning, “football tackled” him. He was carried off in a wheel chair by DC Fire and Emergency to George Washington Hospital.
Rev. Yearwood said as he was being released from the hospital to be taken to central booking, “The officers decided I was not going to get in Gen. Petreaus’ hearing when they saw my button, which says ‘I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.’”
Capitol Police are not saying what the charges are, but an inside source has said that the charge is assaulting a police officer. Rev. Yearwood is scheduled to be transferred to Central Processing to be arraigned tomorrow morning.
Tell the governor you want teens to have the information they need to make healthy, responsible life decisions. Before September 26, 2007, Governor Napolitano will decide whether to apply for federal money for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. It is extremely important that the Governor hears loud and clear that Arizona must end its dependence on federal money that censors our teachers, preventing them from providing Arizona teens with vital health care information!
Here are three reasons why:
- Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs prohibit teachers from discussing contraceptives except to tell their failure rates. They also provide medically inaccurate information, promote gender stereotypes, discriminate against gays and lesbians, and are based on messages of fear or shame.
- A rigorous, multi-year, congressionally commissioned study published in April 2007 showed that these programs do not work. Teens who participated in these programs were just as likely to have sex as those who didn’t, and they had sex at the same age and had the same number of sexual partners as teens who did not participate in the federally funded programs.
- Parents across the nation and overwhelmingly want sex education to cover information about contraception. Major medical groups have also advocated for a more comprehensive approach to sex education.
With the second-highest rate of teen pregnancies in the nation, Arizona cannot afford to continue these harmful and ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. A recent study attributed the decline in teen pregnancy rates overwhelmingly to increased contraceptive use, not abstinence. Arizona should support reproductive health policies that are effective, save taxpayer dollars and protect the public health. Young people need and deserve complete, accurate, and age-appropriate sex education that discusses BOTH abstinence and the use of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
We need your help!! Join us in asking the Governor to: Continue reading →
