Occupy Palm Beach County

Friends of Occupy PBC in organized labor have learned Wall Street banks are putting the screws to the Palm Beach County School District, reaping exorbitant profits at the expense of our schools and the young people who attend them.

The complicated deals behind this travesty are typical of the financial games that in 2008 brought down the US economy. And still the games go on, to the ruin of our youth.

The opening salvo in a campaign to right this wrong begins at 8 am on Tuesday, May 22, when the school district finance committee holds a public meeting at the Fulton Holland Educational Service Center. *

The finance committee is defensive on this issue, but has agreed to permit SEIU/ FPSU to address the committee before it gives its recommendation to the school board, which is more open to passing a resolution calling for renegotiating the deals.

No public comment is permitted at the meeting but a show of strength by the 99% will put the committee and the school board on notice:

Our weekly gathering:

Announcements, reports, plans.

Foreclosure CourtWatch update.

Busting the banksters who are screwing our school district–May 22.

Big showdown with FPL at their annual shareholder’s meeting-May 25.

Correction: The May 18 Rush Limbaugh/Clear Channel protest will be at the intersection of 45th St. and Congress Ave (just east of I-95) outside the Clear Channel complex, from 4-6 pm.

Occupy PBC has been asked to join hands with Credo’s Take Down Allen West Campaign and NOW Palm Beach County this Friday May 18^th to protest Rush Limbaugh’s anti-women views. The event will begin at 4 p.m in front of the Clear Channel building, and will last for roughly two hours. Let Clear Channel know it is NOT okay to endorse vitriolic, hateful, bigoted “debate” solely in the name of profit$. You can RSVP for the event at www.takedownwest.com/calendar.

Clear Channel: 400 Northpoint Pkwy, West Palm Beach (45th St, east of Village Blvd, west of I-95)

For over a century, May Day has been known as International Workers Day, a day where the 99% – workers throughout the world – have united to fight their common exploitation by the 1%.
This year, the Occupy movement and allied groups — unions, students, political and religious groups — celebrate May Day over the next few days with hundreds of actions around the U.S. and the world.

At least three events are happening in South Florida. Join the 99%, and bring some friends.

Palm Beach County on Saturday:

Workers Memorial Day 2012 Ceremony
Ceremony sponsored by the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO
Please join us for a brief ceremony to commemorate the lives of those we have lost to workplace injury or illness, then spend the rest of the evening celebrating the ones we have at the beautiful Downtown at the Gardens with live music, movie theaters, restaurants galore and plenty for the kids.
Saturday, April 28, 2012 ~ 4-5 o’clock p.m.
Downtown at the Gardens- Centre Court
(Below the movie theaters)
11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens.
http://fl.aflcio.org/palmtreasure/index.cfm

Broward County on Sunday:

A May Day Program: Come learn about and celebrate People’s Struggles
Sunday, April 29, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft Lauderdale. (UUCFL)
11 a.m. Service: Labor Songs & Speaker: A History of the American Labor Movement
12:15: Lunch provided by Food not Bombs.
12:50 – 3:30: Afternoon Program describing current struggles and inviting participation, with speakers, discussion, music and food
Sponsored by Occupy Ft. Lauderdale Labor Outreach Group
Speakers on foreclosures, women’s issues, Occupiers, and Labor Issues
This is a great opportunity for young and old to learn about our history and participate in making a better future.
No charge, all welcome.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale is located at 3970 NW 21st Avenue, Oakland Park. FL 33309.
http://www.occupyfortlauderdale.org/may-day-kick-off/

Miami-Dade County on Tuesday:

May Day Miami
Tuesday, May 1, 12 noon.
Torch of Friendship, Bayfront Park, Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33132
https://www.facebook.com/events/331957246884155/
Rideshares from Fort Lauderdale:
http://www.facebook.com/events/414342881917103/

Announcements

• Facilitation Group Meeting — after the GA
• Other

Working Group Reports

• Outreach Group
• Occupy the Foreclosure Courts Group (To sign up for Court Watch, call Steve Ellman at 561-310-0781.)
• Other

Proposals

• The Coordinating Committee proposes that the GA empower the Occupy the Foreclosure Courts Group to develop the Court Watch project, including collecting and dispersing funds for shirts.
• The Coordinating Committee proposes that the GA establish a temporary Issues Planning Group to research three issues that may lead to programs and actions. The Group will report back to the GA with a proposal for action. The three issues are: 1) Occupy Our Homes (occupations, vigils, organizing neighborhoods, protests); 2) Why does Palm Beach County have its funds in the Wells Fargo bank? Why not a credit union? 3) PBC School District & big banks (work with SEIU).
• Remaining items in the Vision and Goals Statement.

Discussion

The Cultural Plaza in downtown Lake Worth is located on the east side of M Street between Lake and Lucerne Avenues. From I-95 take Sixth Ave. S. east to M Street, then left (north). Lots of shade and parking. Please bring your own folding chairs if you have them. See you there!