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On August 27, five miles from the Republican National Convention being held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, more than 100 activists from around the country descended on the corporate headquarters of Bloomin’ Brand. The company, which controls Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and several other restaurant chains, was taken over by Mitt Romney-founded Bain in 2007 and has since been active in efforts to lower minimum wages for restaurant employees in Florida and Arizona.

By Jennifer Kauffmann, Jeremy Sprinkle

This was no serenade. North Carolinians, fed up with the General Assembly’s agenda of pursuing giveaways for the rich at the expense of everyone else, greeted lawmakers with a first-of-its-kind, 15-minute non-stop clamorous protest of politicians’ reckless ways.

Hundreds of working families from different walks of life—young and retired, working and jobless, gay and straight—united on Bicentennial Mall for a cacerolazo, a pots and pans protest, which originated in South America and has spread to Latin America, Iceland, Ireland, Greece and even Syria to challenge power and affect change.

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Workers at Walmart and Hyatt Hotels struggle daily with disrespect and injustice from their corporate employers. Walmart Associates nationwide have formed an organization, OUR Walmart, and are seeking better working conditions, pay, and respect. Hyatt workers across the country are struggling to achieve safe working conditions and a voice on the job.

By Dave Johnson
Fellow, Campaign for America's Future

Spring is almost upon us, and the 99% Spring, too! I was on a call last night on which more than 500 people signed up to become trainers — just on one call! Here are three things to help you get ready.

99% Spring, April 9-15

April 9-15, 2012, the 99% Spring: 100,000 Americans will train for non-violent direct action. Sign up. And spread it around.

This Spring We Rise!
April 9-15 we will gather across America, 100,000 strong, in homes, places of worship, campuses and the streets to train ourselves in non-violent action and join together in the work of reclaiming our country. History is calling; it’s time to step up.

Click here for more information.

Click here for MoveOn.org information on the 99% Spring, and help scheduling or locating a training near you.

Also: Become a 99% Spring Trainer.

We’re looking for teachers, organizers, PTA moms — anyone who loves working with people. It’s a big plus if you have previous experience as a trainer, but it’s not required. Regardless of your background, our team of senior trainers will help you access your training chops.

Click here to sign up to be a trainer.

National Teach-In On The Economy

Watch the National Teach-In To Take Back The American Dream

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By Carl Davidson
Author and Writer for Beaver County Blue

A case in point: New York Time financial columnist Joe Nocera quoted at length in a story by Phoebe Mitchell in the Daily Hampshire Gazette on Nov 29.  He was speaking at the Amherst Political Union, a debate club at UMass Amherst.

Nocera starts off with the now usual tipping of the hat to the protestors:

“Nocera believes the anger caused by income inequality, a divisive issue across the country in this prolonged economic downturn, is the fuel for both popular uprisings. ‘If we lived in a country that had a growing economy and where the middle class felt that they could make a good living and had a chance for advancement and a decent life, there would be no tea party or Occupy Wall Street,’ he said.”

But we don’t live in such times, and the more interesting story is that OWS and its trade union allies are displacing the Tea Party, and energizing the progressive grassroots. Nocera, however, makes OWS the target.

“He believes that for the Occupy Movement to be successful, it must frame clear demands that outline a plan for creating jobs and refashioning Wall Street to benefit the entire country and not just a select few wealthy investors. Without a solid plan for moving forward, he said, the Occupy protestors will be continued to be viewed by Wall Street supporters as little more than “a gnat that needs to be flicked from its shoulder blades.”

A ‘gnat’ indeed. In due time, a progressive majority may well come to view our dubious ‘Masters of the Universe’ on Wall St as bothersome gnats to be flicked away. (more…)

Messages from the Occupy Wall Street protests …

To stay informed about issues important to working families and the American labor movement, please visit:

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By Mike Hall
AFL-CIO Senior Writer

In the biggest demonstration since the Occupy Wall Street protest began Sept. 17, New York City union members, college students and other activists joined the protesters yesterday evening for a march and rally that was several thousand strong, according to news reports.

They marched from the Occupy Wall Street’s encampment at Zuccotti Park to City Hall. Addressing the crowd from the steps of City Hall, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Vice President Christopher Shelton said:

“Every one of us is here because of corporate greed. It’s time not to occupy Wall Street, but to take back Wall Street.” CWA is among dozens of unions backing the weeks-long protest. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said by video message that the union movement opens its “heart and arms” to those at the Wall Street protests.

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Jihan Hafiz: Egyptian workers say military trying to reconstitute old regime without Mubarak

Wall Street has shown Americans how they feel about protests. This video shows unidentified occupants watching protests from the balconies of Wall Street in amusement while sipping champagne.