Monday, October 13, 2008

• Democrats' New Plan for Economic Stimulus
• Wachovia Denied Nearly 1,000 Colleges Loans – But Lent $8 Million to GOP
• Report from the Americas Social Forum
• Immigrant Rights Groups Protest Raids
• Jericho 10/10 Demands Release of All U.S. Political Prisoners

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Democrats' New Plan for Economic Stimulus

The Treasury Department has already appointed major contracts to oversee the bail out, and more contracts are expected in coming days. Meanwhile, Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has turned his attention past Wall Street, introducing a new plan to stimulate the economy – and Democrats in Congress are following suit. Washington Editor Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Wachovia Denied Nearly 1,000 Colleges Loans – But Lent $8 Million to GOP

After a failed takeover by Citigroup, the Federal Reserve approved an $11 billion merger Sunday between Wells Fargo and Wachovia Bank. But as federal officials are scrambling to save Wachovia from financial collapse, the bank has been engaging in some questionable lending: the banking giant has denied nearly 1,000 colleges much-needed loans during this financial crisis, while at the same time, lending the National Republican Congressional Committee $8-million dollars for GOP House races. Chris Kromm is the Director of the Institute for Southern Studies. FSRN spoke with him about who missed out on loans at the cost of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Report from the Americas Social Forum

October 12 is an important day for Indigenous social struggles throughout the Americas.  Previously celebrated as the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival, indigenous peoples now commemorate it as a day of resistance. Building on this symbolism, nearly 10,000 people gathered at the Americas Social Forum in Guatemala to demand social and economic justice for indigenous and all peoples in the hemisphere. We now go to Marc Becker and Jeff Juris in Guatemala City.

Immigrant Rights Groups Protest Raids

Immigrant rights groups used Indigenous People's Day to stage rallies protesting a series of massive immigration raids. Africa Jones reports from one such rally in San Francisco.

Jericho 10/10 Demands Release of All U.S. Political Prisoners

A broad coalition of activists gathered in New York City this weekend as part of the Jericho 10/10 mobilization, highlighting the more than 100 political prisoners and prisoners of war in the United States, and demanding their immediate release. The group met with United Nations delegations and protested outside the UN and in Harlem to demand the release of U.S. political prisoners serving long prison terms including activists for Black liberation, Puerto Rican independence, indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection and animal rights, as well as opponents of U.S. wars and militarism. FSRN's Andalusia knoll has more.