March on May 1: International Workers Day of Justice & Dignity

It's May Day in Tucson

MARCH FOR IMMIGRANT AND WORKERS' RIGHTS!

On International Workers Day March for Justice and Dignity for Immigrants' and Workers' Rights on Wednesday, May 1st.

Gather at 9 AM at St. John's Church (12th and Ajo Way). March at 10 AM to rally at Rudy Garcia Park (Irvington and Old Nogales Hwy).

We demand:

• Worker and union rights for all.
• Stop the deportations
• No more deaths in the desert and border patrol violence
• Immigration reform for all 11 million.
• Repeal SB1070.
• End border militarization.
• Unite - don't separate families.
• Stop criminalization of migrants.

The march and rally are sponsored by May 1st Coalition, Derechos Humanos, Tucson Dreamers, Salt of the Earth Labor College, Alliance for Global Justice, Jobs with Justice, CPUSA, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Tucson Chapter, and other groups. For More Info call 520-770-1373 or info@tucsonmay1st.org Tucson May 1st Coalition for Immigrant & Worker Rights.

Bus Riders' Union vs Developers: Should Tucson "Develop" the Ronstadt Transit Center?

For years, developers have been eyeing the Ronstadt Transit Center on Congress Street for redevelopment. This idea was raised again in late 2012. In February, the Tucson City Council decided (once again) not to move the Ronstadt Transit Center out of downtown (a move which developers have been pushing for for years). Instead, the council decided to open a 60-90 day public comment period, collect input, and determine what should be done about redevelopment.

The above video was shot at a public forum sponsored by the Bus Riders' Union. Approximately 250-300 citizens packed the Rialto Theater for this event.

For more background, check out this story: Ronstadt Transit Center: City, Developers Ponder Proverbial Political Football (video)

John Nichols on Greed and Austerity

John Nichols, columnist for The Nation and regular commentator on MSNBC, addressed a packed house at the Tucson IBEW Hall in March. The event was jointly sponsored by PDA Tuson and the Pima Area Labor Federation.

Above is a video excerpt from his talk. For more details, check out this story:

John Nichols: Don’t Let the ‘Crooks’ Roll Back Years of Progress (video)

PDA Tucson and PALF leaders pose with John Nichols (left to right): Pamela Powers Hannley, James Hannley, Alison McCloed, Dustin Cox, Laura Hogan, John Nichols, Linda Hatfield, Michael Gordy, Barbara Warrne, and Rick Graap.

Sights & Scenes from the People's Inauguration in DC (video)

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) sponsored the People's Inauguration in Washington DC over the weekend of the presidential inauguration. Activists, progressive leaders, and elected officials participated. Alison McLeod, Southern Arizona PDA organizer, was there. Here is a series of nine videos that she created from this event.

A Picture of PDA
John Nichols of The Nation orchestrates a photo of today's American progressive movement.

Rev. Jesse Jackson on the War on Poverty
"The political season is over - now we have work to do." Speaking at a Progressive Democrats of America conference in Washington, D.C., renowned civil rights, political and religious leader Jesse Jackson reminds us that the real work of social and economic change happens when people put their boots on the ground.

What Challenges Face Labor & Progressives in the Future? An Evening with John Nichols

John Nichols, political writer for The Nation and regular contributor to MSNBC, returns to Tucson on Saturday, March 9, 2013, to discuss the progressive movement, our mutual goals with labor, and the challenges ahead. 

With intransigence in the Congress and sequestration cuts swirling around our heads, Nichols will provide us with lively commentary and new insights into American politics. 

Nichols spoke to a packed house last year in Tucson. If you attended that event, you know he is both entertaining and thoughtful in his analyses of the news and the political climate.

This free event is sponsored by the Tucson Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), in collaboration with the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF). It will be 6-8 p.m. at the IBEW Hall, 570 South Tucson Blvd. 

For a taste of what you will hear, check out this video from last year's event.

2012: PDA Tucson Reviews a Year of Activism

Two years ago, February 2011, the Tucson Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was launched. It has been a busy two years, but 2012 was particularly active, as PDA Tucson sponsored events and worked with other left-leaning local groups in support of their activities.

Here is a look back.

January 2012

PDA Tucson defends Occupy Tucson with a Letter to the Editor of the Tucson Weekly.

PDA Tucson joins other PDA Arizona chapters in tabling at the Arizona Democratic Party State Committee Meeting and participates in the ADP Progressive Caucus.

February 2012

PDA Tucson hosts a forum on public banking with the sponsor of HB2104, which would establish a public bank in Arizona. When the bill was heard in committee, PDA Tucson steering committee members testified in favor of it.

PDA Tucson steering committee members participate in national PDA meeting in Winslow.

John Nichols, of The Nation, tells a packed house at the IBEW Hall in Tucson about the Uprising in Wisconsin at an event sponsored by PDA Tucson and the Pima Area Labor Federation. This comes as workers are attacked with six anti-union bills in the state Legislature, and labor supporters take to the streets.

PDA Tucson, Physicians for a National Health Program, and the Alliance for Global Justice  co-sponsor Single-Payer Healthcare and the 99%-- A Public Forum which features talks by Dr. Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese JD.

March 2012

PDA members protest with unionists, Occupiers, and other labor supporters against anti-worker bills in the Arizona Legislature.

UPDATED: PDA Tucson's Phil Lopes runs for Dem Party Vice Chair

UPDATE: Phil got elected!
***********************************

On Saturday, January 26, 2013, the Arizona Democratic Party will hold its reorganization meeting in Phoenix. New state party officers will be elected by elected precinct committee (PC) people. If you are a progressive and an elected, please consider voting for Phil Lopes. If you are a PC and can't make the meeting, contact your legislative district chair and give someone your proxy vote.

Phil Lopes for Vice Chair

Dear AZ State Democratic Committee member,

This letter is to ask for your vote for the position of Vice-Chair of the AZ Democratic Party. I would be honored to have your support and vote. I am running for Vice-Chair to:

• strengthen the party, especially in public policy advocacy, and,
• to improve the public’s perception of the Party

Although the Party raises money during campaign season, it does not advocate with candidates, elected officials or the public at large for policy positions that reflect the values of Democrats. This is one reason why the public perceives Democrats and Republicans as not very different. For example, during the recent campaign, I heard no mention of developing a fairer tax system. This is inconceivable given that our State tax structure is way too sales tax reliant and the sales tax hits the poor the hardest. Likewise, most Democrats feel that there is too much money spent on campaigns but too many of our candidates chose not to run using Clean Elections.