Category: Politics

AdvocacyEnvironmentOtherPoliticsRacial Justice

Pittsburgh Organizes Four Back-to-Back Protests During Trump Visit on Weds, Oct 23

October 22, 2019 by

Organizing around resisting White Nationalism, Fracking, while demanding Clean Water, and Impeachment. Expect thousands on the streets from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Standing in solidarity directly outside President Trump’s fracking industry speech and campaign rally at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center this Wednesday, over a dozen local activists, environmentalists, politicians, and performers will […]

ActivismEntertainment and MediaPolitics

Ellen owes the Dixie Chicks an apology

October 13, 2019 by

While I’m not particularly surprised that Ellen Degeneres continues to lose touch with the experience of typical queer folks, I was dismayed by her comments defending her friendship with former President George W Bush. “We’re all different and I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s okay that we’re all different … but just because I […]

ActivismEnvironmentPolitics

Vote “No” on the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Tax Referendum

October 3, 2019 by
Vote No Referendum

Another year, another ballot referendum trying to circumvent the “no taxation without representation” theory of governance. This time it is the Parks Conservancy which wants funding for parks and doesn’t want the hassle of going through the normal City budgeting process. So 2018. The question would ask voters whether they support raising property taxes starting […]

ActivismLGBTQPittsburgh CurrentPolitics

The @PghCurrent Column Where I Call for Pittsburgh To Abolish the Mayor’s LGBTQIA Advisory Group

July 23, 2019 by
Delta Foundation Pittsburgh

My latest for the Pittsburgh Current – City Should Dissolve LGBTQIA Advisory Panel It is time for Pittsburgh to establish an Office of LGBTQ Affairs with a dedicated paid staff. This Office will be a resource for all City Departments and Programs, City Council and the City Commissions, Boards, and Authorities. In addition, a LGBTQ […]

ActivismPoliticsRacial Justice

A Brief Guide for Sharing Reports of ICE Raids on Social Media via MRAC

July 15, 2019 by
Reporting ICE raids on Social Media

Please be thoughtful when sharing info on possible ICE operations on social media. It is not helpful to induce panic in affected communities by sharing unclear or unverified reports of ICE operations. The suggestions outlined here are a good guide via Minnesota Rights Action Committee

ActivismPoliticsRacial Justice

If You See an ICE Raid, Police Stop, or Hate Crime via Casa San José Including Emergency Number

July 15, 2019 by

Via Casa San José¡Conozca sus derechos!¡Conozca su poder!Siempre pueden llamar a nuestro número de emergencia de Casa San José en esos momentos: (412) 736-7167.Know your rights.Know your power.You can always call Casa San Jose’s Emergency Number in those moments: (412) 736-7167.

ActivismPoliticsRacial Justice

What To Do If ICE Comes To Your Door via Casa San José

July 14, 2019 by
What to do if ICE comes to your door

Via Case San José. If you are looking for a way to combat family separation here in Pittsburgh, you can go here https://casasanjose.org/donate/ to donate to Fondo Solidario, which helps get people out on bond so that they can fight their case at home, with the loving support of their families. .

ActivismLGBTQPolitics

City of Pittsburgh Honors 50th Anniversary of Stonewall Riots

June 25, 2019 by

  I was unable to attend this press conference, but I have been talking with Councilperson Strassburger’s team about the proposed legislation – I had no idea these gaps existed. Kudos to them for filling that gap. We’ll have more on that later. Note that Councilperson Strasssburger is wearing a ‘Yinz is a Gender Neutral […]

ActivismPoliticsQ&A

Q&A with Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Second Lady of Pennsylvania

June 24, 2019 by
Gisele Fetterman

“I want Pennsylvania to be a safe, just, and more welcoming place for everyone.  I want everyone to have an opportunity to thrive in our state.” Gisele and I have been social media friends for several years, most typically coming together when there is a need that taps into our mutual social justice skills and […]

ActivismPoliticsRacial Justice

What I Think Allegheny County Should Do to Hold Police Accountable BEFORE They Are Hired

June 18, 2019 by
Police Accountability

Just my personal $.02 here. One issue that arises repeatedly when we are discussing police officers who kill civilians is the failure to ‘catch’ the cops who move from police department to police department because of discipline issues or misconduct or just because they are not good cops. There are two sides to this problem […]