In a recent Philadelphia Weekly, Randy LoBasso wrote about the Comcast Corporation’s decision to lobby the City of Philadelphia against a paid sick-leave bill set to be introduced in January 2013. If the bill looks anything like a similar measure vetoed by Mayor Michael Nutter in June 2011, it would, if passed, require employers of five or more employees to provide four or more days of sick leave a year, and employers of ten or more employees to provide seven paid sick days per year.
In February of this year I moved half way across the country from the Minne-Apple (Minneapolis) to the Big Apple (New York City). The move brought with it my current job, National Organizer with the Center for Media Justice, and 24/7 access to all the arts, music and culture my heart desired. For music, all roads lead to New York and in my short time here I’ve managed to see live performances by some of my musical favs including Calle 13, Los Master Plus, the Foreign Exchange Collective, Mala Rodriguez and even Sick Jacken. I caught the Black and White Picasso exhibit at the Guggenheim and the Diego Rivera exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. I’ve tasted some of the best Peruvian, Dominican, Chinese and Contemporary American cuisine (though my search for the best chicken wings and tacos in New York City continues). Suffice it to say New York is not lacking in the creative inspiration department.
Washington DC- Today, at a rally for fair prison phone rates, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announced that Chairman Genachowski has begun circulating a further notice of proposed rulemaking for a vote. This marked the first step forward in a ten- year effort to make the price of inter-state calls from prison affordable.
The midday rally, sponsored by the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, brought together more than 150 people to call on the Federal Communications Commission to end the high cost of calls from prison by establishing a cap. Holding signs and singing, the crowd was visibly moved by the words of Commissioner Clyburn, “I have been working with Chairman Genachowski, my fellow Commissioners, and our wonderful staff, to grant the Wright Petition, and issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will lead to lower interstate long distance rates from correctional facilities.”
Offering a special thank you to campaign leaders including the Media Action Grassroots Network, Prison Legal News and Working Narratives, Commissioner Clyburn remarked that a notice isn’t the end of the process, but is a critical first step.
“The Campaign for Prison Phone Justice is incredibly excited that the FCC has taken notice of the tremendous bi-partisan support for fair phone rates on calls from prison,“ said Steven Renderos, National Organizer at the Media Action Grassroots Network. “Commissioner Clyburn’s announcement is an incredible beginning. After 10 years of waiting, we hope the Commission keeps moving forward to finalize these rules. When families are forced to choose between buying groceries and paying an expensive phone bill, every minute counts.”
Campaign spokespeople were joined by Timothy Robinson, Legislative Director for the Honorable Bobby Rush; Participant Media’s Social Action Campaign representing the film, Middle of Nowhere; Prison Policy Initiative and Sum of Us; faith leaders like Pastor Mark Ehrlichmann who ministers to deaf and hard of hearing inmates, United Church of Christ President Reverend Geoffrey Black, and f
The Campaign for Prison Phone Justice is a national effort challenging prison phone kickbacks and the U.S. Prison Telephone Industry. The campaign is jointly led by: Media Action Grassroots Network, Working Narratives, Prison Legal News and Participant Media as part of the social action campaign for Ava Duvernay's film Middle of Nowhere.
My brother is deaf and has been since he was diagnosed with spinal meningitis when he was 1 1/2 years old.
Now at age 34, he is able to take advantage of the wonderful technologies that allow him to communicate with family and friends far easier than ever before.
Check out workshops and panels at 2012 Facing Race Conference taking place in Baltimore, MD from Noember 15th-17th featuring MAG-Net members, partners and allies.
A Revolution of the Mind
When Middle of Nowhere premiered on October 12th it was only available in 6 theaters in 5 cities. The film, the story of a woman (Ruby) who is enduring her husband’s 8-year prison sentence, portrays this conundrum with complicated nuance and sensibility. Middle of Nowhere is refreshing in its elevation of stories and characters typically not afforded the platform of the big screen. Its brilliance alone is not a recipe for success unless accompanied by an audience that supports its vision.
Now that the doors are open, lights on and digital media tools humming, our phone lines ring daily with potential members calling to ask, “what is this PhillyCAM all about?” In case you’ve yet to get the complete rundown from a cousin, uncle, friend or colleague, Philadelphia Community Access Media (PhillyCAM) is one of the newest additions to a national network of community media centers. In October 2009, PhillyCAM officially began cablecasting on the city's public access channels and soon thereafter opened the doors of a start-up location to begin offering media production classes, computer access, equipment check out, and special screening events.
Get your vote on! Please VOTE for our MAG-Net workshops submitted to the National Conference on Media Reform (that will be in Denver, Colorado from April 5th to 7th, 2013)