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Washington's Nakba Museum

Washington's Nakba Museum

 

by Stephen Lendman

 

Evaluating School Reform in the District of Columbia

The National Research Council Makes Its Report, Finally

It feels like forever that DC Public Schools have been known as one of the worst (if not the worst) public school systems in the nation. Low test scores and high dropout rates back up the perception. Twenty years ago, DC School Reform Act of 1995 (a gift from Congress, not a District initiative) gave us charter schools. Many Washingtonians with an investment in the school system (i.e. parents, students, teachers, etc. ) believed that this was the answer. But after ten years, the numbers hadn’t improved—not in the new charters or in the traditional public schools.

TPP fast-track "in shambles" after sweetener bill goes down in flames

The Obama/corporate GOP trade agenda suffered a serious setback in a House vote on June 12, 2015. First the House voted down the "Trade Assistance Authority" bill to pay for worker retraining caused by trade deals. This was by a 302-126 margin. Next, they passed a TPA (fast-track) bill that was different than the Senate version. Now there is no clear roadmap, and even Nancy Pelosi is now vowing to stop TPP fast-track, also known as TPA or "Trade Promotion Authority." She said "It's time to SLOW this #FastTrack down." Unfortunately she didn't say "kill it and stake the vampire."

#JusticeForMuslims protests police shootings, FBI entrapment

On the 11th of June, both Muslim activsts and DC Ferguson activists showed up at the Dept of Justice to protest the recent spate of police shootings of Muslims in the US and the FBI's well-worn resort to entrapment. The tactics now in use by the FBI are essentially those of the Green Scare coupled to a quick willingness to open fire. African-American activists against police brutality fear they are next in line for FBI entrapment and murder, this has happened before.

Video of some of the speakers

Congress votes on TPP fast-track as activists vigil

On the 11th of June, several activists opposing Congressional "fast-track" authority for the TPP trade deal held vigil next to the US Capitol, intending to stay put until the Friday, June 12 vote in the House on the TPP fast-track bill

Activists hold vigil against TPP fast-track until Friday's vote

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