Feature Archives

Workers from Community Medical Centers in Fresno delivered their CEO a message. The message, delivered by about 100 healthcare workers and their allies, is that they want a fair election, free of threats and intimidation, so they can decide for themselves if Service Employees International Union - UHW will represent them.

Fresno mayor Alan Autry and police chief Jerry Dyer announced plans to crack down on westside gangs. Fresno City Council member Jerry Duncan, stressing the urgency of this effort compared the campaign to the war on terror. Duncan, speaking about gang members, said "make no mistake about it, they are terrorists and they are as much of terrorists as those people in Iraq that are blowing up innocent people." They also promoted technology that will increase video surveillance and put GPS tracking devises on West Fresno residents in order to reduce crime.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger keeps repeating at his press conferences and meetings the big lie that no dams or water storage facilities have been constructed in California in the past 20 to 30 years. Apparently, the Schwarzenegger administration believes in the classic propaganda technique that if a big lie is repeated enough, it will eventually be accepted as truth by the media and public.

The largest private sector union organizing drive in the history of Fresno is now underway at Community Regional Medical Center. A press conference announcing the effort was held on August 27th. Community Hospital workers and their allies hope to improve working conditions and salaries.

August 26th is Women’s Equality Day. The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. The 2nd Annual California Women's Equality Day Parade and Rally will take place on Saturday, August 25th, beginning at 9:30am at Sacramento's Southside Park, and ending in a rally on the West Steps of the Capitol at 11am. On Thursday, August 30th, Radical Women celebrated Women's Equality Day with an event at New Valencia Hall.

After more than 19 months in jail without having been convicted of any crime, Eric McDavid's trial is set to begin in Sacramento on September 10th. Supporters are still raising funds to pay Eric's legal expenses.

Pamela Kincaid died earlier this month under disturbing and suspicious circumstances. Kincaid was the lead named plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by the homeless against the City of Fresno, because the city was taking and immediately destroying their property. This sometimes included their IDs, clothing, tools, kittens, and in one case the urn containing the ashes of a grandchild. Pam stood up against this injustice and was willing to put herself on the line to protect the rights of all homeless people in this community.