April 2006 - Issue 11

Immigrant workers win severance pay from Hain Celestial corporation

On Tuesday, April 4, supporters of the embattled Ethnic Gourmet workforce began informational pickets at local Trader Joe's and Whole Foods markets. [Later that day a delegation of the workers met with attorneys for Hain Celestial at Greater Boston Legal Services as supporters picketed outside. The workers won their demand for severance pay. We will publish more details in our May edition—The Bridge staff.]

When will the City level with us?

A common problem city governments face is how to ensure that people with disabilities and frail seniors can travel throughout the city in a safe and convenient way.

Lafayette 8 trial delayed again

On the morning of April 13, 2006 Lafayette Eight defendants and their supporters gathered in Cambridge District Court for what was supposed to be their final trial. What occurred was a violation of the standard rules of criminal procedure—although not uncommon in these modern times.

Picariello trial: local victory against police repression

On March 7, after two years of hearings and as many as 16 appearances at the Boston Municipal Court, charges against Richard Picariello were finally dismissed.

The City signed our neighborhood rights away to Harvard

I live at 4 Riverside Place. Five generations of my family have lived here. I am an abutter to what is called the Mahoney's Site by the neighbors.

War does not forget women

speech at the March 18 Rosa Parks antiwar rally at Dudley Common in Boston

Jarrett Barrios: rising star of the progressive Democrats

Jarrett Barrios is one of the fastest-rising stars in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. But, like his Party, he lacks vision and political courage.

“Environmental illness” spreading in U.S.

MCS—a brief overview

Utah bioterror labs expand—another warning for Boston

Over at the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Grounds…procurement officers quietly placed orders … for four fermentors with a total capacity of producing nearly 3,500 liters of bacteria and the possibility of another five fermentors in the future.…

Media promotes idea that mental illness causes crime

On the CBS Evening (National) News, Monday March 20, 2006, Bob Schieffer did a feature about ADHD among athletes. A psychologist appeared to say that after treatment their performance improved. Here is the public relations industry gone mad. The drug companies will not stop until everyone except their obedient employees are all on drugs.

As immigrant rallies sweep US... Jim Crow Goes Fishing

House Republicans have pushed through a bill—HR 4437, the Sensenbrenner Bill—that only a Klansman could love.

Somerville immigrants, allies respond to legislative threats

About 100 Somervillians, many originally from the nation of El Salvador, flocked to the school hall at St. Benedict's Church last month for a forum on immigration.

Animal rights advocates face federal prison

The government’s case centers around the idea that organizers of a campaign are responsible for any and all acts that anyone engages in while furthering the goals of the organizers.

Mass. labor notes

for links to the latest labor news from around the state, visit Jobs with Justice at www.massjwj.net

April 9 walk for Haiti hospitals

Palm Sunday, April 9, 2006 St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge performance 1:30 PM walk begins 2 pm distance: 3 miles