The sit-in and plant occupation at Chicago's Republic Windows and Doors ended in victory late Wednesday night, when the union announced that more than 200 workers and members of UE Local 1110 voted unanimously to accept a $1.75 million settlement that includes eight weeks of back pay, two months of continued health coverage, and compensation for unused vacation time.

According to UE, over the five days of the Republic plant occupation, messages of solidarity poured in from around the world. Individual workers, organizations, labor unions and federations sent emails and letters of solidarity. Protests against the Bank of America were also organized across the U.S. as word of the Republic occupation spread. [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]

The effort also laid the basis for future initiatives — including the creation of a new foundation dedicated to reopening the plant. That effort will be initiated with seed money from the UE national union and the thousands of dollars in donations to the Solidarity Fund that have poured in from around the world in recent days. Workers chose the name themselves: the Window of Opportunity Fund. "The fund will be open to receive donations from all friends of the Republic workers and supporters of their struggle," said Local 1110's Melvin Maclin in the union's official statement.

Accounts on Chicago IMC newswire: [1 | 2 | 3 ] Photos: [ 1 ]

Frank Lopez, creator of submedia.tv and the show "Its the End of the World As We Know It and I Feel Fine" joins us on Indy TV this week to explain what his show is about, how he's been able to pull it off, and some of his future projects.

Frank explains his show:
"The name is inspired by the song by R.E.M. with the same title. Its end of the world news, lots of natural disasters, high oil prices, food riots. But also news from the front lines of the resistance, people who do eco-activism, people who go to protests, people who do direct action."

The show includes regular music segments and interviews with inspiring thinkers and activists involved in resistance work.

If you have not yet seen "The end of the world as we know it", you are in for a video adventure. You won’t want to miss the chance for a look behind the boxes with the Stim.
When: Tuesday, Dec 2nd 2008, 6pm
Where: 310 Arnett Blvd. (Arnett Branch of the Rochester Public Library)
Free admission, donations accepted, refreshments provided
More info:submedia.tv
Sponsored by Rochester Indymedia

Frank Lopez the mastermind, writer and editor of this "better than vegan chocolate" and "awesome is an understatement" video montage production is on a limited tour in the US. He will show highlights of his program and talk about his new collaborative documentary, "Ground Noise and Static," a video report from both the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
"Submedia tackles a range of subjects from environmentalists being attacked by paid counter protesters in British Columbia, to the torching of some "McMansoions" near Seattle, to issues of media activists signing big book contracts. The Stimulator looks at the world with a sharp tongue and sharper perspective."

Within the first 100 days of Obama's presidency, U.S. troops will still be fighting in Iraq, with an additional 65,000 American military personnel to go into Afghanistan, according to the incoming administration's transitional website.

The "Obama-Biden Plan" foreign policy outline on their website also states that troops will be gradually removed from Iraq by one to two brigades a month through 2010. The President-elect's webpage gives no specified starting date for troop withdrawal from Iraq, but says the U.S. military, "…will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda …and protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel."

The Obama-Biden Plan also calls for U.S. and other NATO forces to increase military resources towards fighting GWOT (the "Global War On Terror").

With the 6th anniversary of the continuing war only three and a half months from now, there is some information available on how local, state, and national groups intend to respond on March 19th to the incoming administration's continued focus on middle-eastern domination and worldwide militarism.

More than 12,000 people gathered at Ft. Benning, GA to demand the closure the of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly known as the School of the Americas.

Several Rochesterians were among the thousands who protested the taxpayer funded US Army school that trains Latin American soldiers in combat techniques and psychological warfare.

Since 1946, more than 60,000 graduates have been trained to protect the interests of multinational corporations using manuals that advocate extortion, blackmail, torture, and the targeting of civilian populations. SOA grads are responsible for murders, rapes, disappearances, and massacres that have affected hundreds of thousands of people throughout Latin America.

photos: 1 | 2 | 3

video: War on democracy - School of Americas

Additional Information: School of the Americas Watch | Textbook Repression: US Training Manuals Declassified | Critique of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation