Community Organizing

This speech was given by Paul McLennan from Atlanta Public Sector Alliance (APSA) at Living Walls: The City Speaks.

LIVING WALLS: HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR

I want to first thank Living Walls for the opportunity to engage in this dialogue. There needs to be more conversation taking place in Atlanta between artists and political activists, especially about this topic of what is happening to our public space and our public institutions. We will need to continue to have these discussions in order to reclaim and expand our public good so it is used in the interests of people not profit.

No one asks whether the fire department made money last year or whether the sales have gone up at the local branch library. This is the public sector. It provides many of the services all residents have a right to receive because they live in a community and pay taxes.

International human rights standards require governments to take the appropriate measures toward the full realization of our human rights to education, health care, housing, and other rights such as transit access. Even during an economic crisis, our local, state, and federal governments and public institutions are obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill these fundamental rights.

Turning luxury condos into truly affordable housing. Undocumented immigrants voting. Living wage economic development.

Sent from comrades in Malcolm X Grassroots Movement:

Transforming Ward 2, Jackson, and the South

The California Supreme Court decided to uphold Proposition 8 as a legal amendment to the s

Durban, South Africa, has since my first visit reminded me--and not only me -- of California. They both have great surfing, beautiful beaches,an amazing climate and a laid-back vibe.

A couple of dozen striking Stella D’Oro workers and their allies braved the freezing rain to rally in front of Fairway supermarket on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on Wednesday Jan. 28th.

On Thursday November 20, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York (MTA) met to discuss budget cuts.