Hurricane Maria / Budget Quagmire / CVH Update / Colin Kaepernick

by David Samuels

This column appears in the September 28 – October 5 edition of the Hartford News.

 

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective. First, third and fifth Tuesday of each month. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific. Tune in! http://www.sometroradio.com/   Next show: October 3. Check out our No Sellout blog for info on the rest of our Community Party Media lineup, including False Choice: the Bipartisan Attack on the Working Class, the Poor and Communities of Color. https://hendu39.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/community-party-media-3/

Community Party Radio Podcast

Visit No Sellout to listen to podcasts of past shows.

Podcasts – Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

 

Community Update

Hurricane Maria

 

How to Help Residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Recover After Hurricane Maria

These organizations are helping with immediate needs—like food—and long-term efforts, including rebuilding.

Ayana Byrd  Sep 21, 2017

Maria is the 13th named hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and it brought devastation to a number of islands that were still trying to recover from Hurricane Irma. Two American territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, were in Maria’s direct path.
The storm hit Puerto Rico yesterday (September 20) and the entire island is currently without power. According to The New York Times, “Forecasters say Puerto Rico will see about two feet of rain by Friday, with as much as 35 inches in places.” And as Colorlines previously reported, the island’s financial crisis—it declared a form of bankruptcy in May—has negativly impacted recovery efforts.
St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John—the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands—are experiencing massive structural damage and a widespread loss of electricity as a result of the current hurricane season. Maria hit St. Croix on Tuesday (September 19) night and Hurricane Irma struck St. Thomas and St. John on September 6. A curfew remains in effect on all three islands. As Colorlines reported, the Virgin Islands’ combined population of 100,000 permanent residents (76 percent of whom are Black) believe the federal government’s response has not been satisfactory, with one man saying the islanders were “the bastard step-children of America.”
To help as these areas rebuild, consider donating to these groups, many of which have ties to local grassroots organizations.

Organizations Focused on Puerto Rico

Low-income communities of color “are often forgotten by reconstruction efforts, and underserved by insurance companies,” reads the website for The Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund. And for that reason, the organization is pledging 100 percent of all money raised to be used for immediate relief, recovery and rebuilding for the areas hit hardest by the storm. The fund works with the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) and is governed by a mix of grassroots organizations and Puerto-Rico based feminist organization Taller Salud.

The Maria: Puerto Rico Real-Time Recovery Fund is managed by the nonprofit ConPRmetidos, a millennial-led organization that builds partnerships between private and public organizations to strengthen Puerto Rico’s economic development. The group is working to raise $150,000 to be used for food, shelter and water, with remaining funds to be applied to long-term recovery efforts.

Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico has worked since 1985 for improved education, housing and economic development in communities across the island. In the aftermath of the storms, the org is now also focused on recovery efforts.

Unidos Por Puerto Rico was created by the island’s First Lady as a response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Donations can be sent online and on October 1, there will be a telethon and concert to raise funds for those impacted by the storm.

Wings of Rescue flies in after hurricanes and, as the group wrote on Facebook, “As soon as Puerto Rico airports are open we are prepared to send supplies for both people and pets in, and start flying dogs and cats out immediately, but we really need your support to save lives.”

Organizations Focused on The U.S. Virgin Islands

Since 1990, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands has brought scholarship and other community-building opportunities to the U.S. Virgin Islands. This week, it became an official hurricane relief charity, donating 100 percent of each gift to assist residents impacted by the storm. In addition, per the website, “In light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma on the USVI, current fundraising/programming efforts are focused on immediate relief and long-term multi-generation family and community revitalization initiatives.”

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is a regional, inter-governmental agency for disaster management in the Caribbean. Members include the Virgin Islands, Barbuda and Dominica—all territories devastated by the recent storms. Donations to the  CDEMA Hurricane Relief Fund will be used to purchase relief supplies and support early recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Former San Antonio Spurs basketball star Tim Duncan, who grew up on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, created the 21 U.S. Virgin Island Relief Fund when Irma hit the island. Now, in the aftermath of Maria, the fundraising goal has been increased to $5 million. Duncan matched the first $1 million in donations.

The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix supports people impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. It is collecting donations for those impacted by the hurricanes here. The group is also accepting care packages of toiletries (tampons, sanitary napkins, diapers and insect spray are especially needed) at the following address: Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, P.O. Box 222734, Christiansted, USVI 00822-2734

Organizations Benefitting Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands

Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit that opened in 1993 in California to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and diseases worldwide, was on the ground in Texas and Florida for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and is now working with local emergency teams and community groups. The org is collecting donations for long-term recovery for households and individuals affected by hurricane disasters.

Tom Joyner’s Black America Web Relief Fund was created after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and now focuses on individuals and families who need assistance as a result of publicly declared disasters. Donations can be made here—and those who are displaced or who are hosting people because of the storm can request financial assistance.

Visit Colorlines.com for the links to make a donation.  https://www.colorlines.com/articles/how-help-residents-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands-recover-after-hurricane-maria

 

Political Roundup

Urban Gun Violence

Did anyone notice that Hartford Police Deputy Chief Brian Foley attributed the two drug related shootings in d last week to a lack of jobs and resources? Poverty = violence!

Budget Gridlock at the State Capitol

My prediction: the Connecticut Republicans will seize control of the Governor’s Mansion, and the General Assembly from the Democrats in 2018. GOP fiscal policies, which have caused even more damage than the neoliberal Dems in states like Kansas, will make the current bipartisan budget gridlock between these two corporate controlled parties seem like the good old days. Connecticut Voices for Children has published a policy brief on the Democrat and Republican budget plans.

September 2017

State Budget Proposals: Failing to Meet the Challenges Ahead
Ray Noonan, Ellen Shemitz J.D., Lauren Ruth Ph.D., Karen Siegel, Nicole Updegrove.

Connecticut’s budget is the clearest statement of its policy priorities. As such, it should prioritize revenue and expense options that improve equity, advance long-term inclusive economic prosperity, and ensure support for our most vulnerable residents. To solve the short-term budget crisis and lay a strong foundation for Connecticut’s children and families, the legislature and the Governor must use all tools available, seeking both new revenue and expense-side savings.

This Budget Brief offers a summary analysis of the two proposals based on currently available information. It finds that neither offers a truly balanced approach: one that includes both shared sacrifice and shared opportunity, addresses the structural causes of our persistent deficits, and makes strategic investments in children as part of equitable growth strategy.

Read the Connecticut Voices for Children budget analysis at their website. http://www.ctvoices.org/BudgetVote2017

 

CVH Culture of Abuse

Connecticut Valley Hospital Workplace Bullying Survey Results

CVH tried to suppress these results. The Community Party obtained the survey through a Freedom of Information Act request. This data is proof of a toxic culture that lead to  the patient abuse at Whiting Forensic Division.

I have encountered bullying situations at work.” 70.6% of CVH workers “strongly agree”. 20.7 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH manager / supervisor.” 59.9% “strongly agree”. 16.5% “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH manager / supervisor in my unit / program.” 54.0 % “strongly agree”. 16.2 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH co-worker.” 39.6% “strongly agree”. 20.2 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH co-worker in my unit / program.” 37.5 % “strongly agree”. 20.8 % “agree”.
“I feel that bullying is an accepted part of the culture at CVH.” 54.1 % “strongly agree.” 25.7% “agree”.
“I reported bullying and there was a positive resolution of my concerns.” 61.6% “strongly disagree”. 24.5% “disagree”.
“I fear retaliation for reporting bullying or other hostile behavior.” 66.6% “strongly agree”. 17.1 % “agree”.

 

Police Misconduct in Hartford

Update from Rachel Baird, co-host with Ed Peruta of the American News Network Summary Judgement program, on Hartford Police officer Stephen Barone. Barone was present on Flatbush Ave. in West Hartford, during the 2016 arrest of Emilio Diaz that resulted in retired HPD Sgt. Sean Spell being charged with assaulting Diaz. Other officers were caught on video stomping Diaz, but were not charged. Peruta is suing the HPD; details in the podcast of the September 21 edition of Community Party Radio. See the Resources section at the end of this column.

“We learned that Officer Barone,  who turned off his dash camera at the Flatbush Avenue incident, attributed that to muscle memory and coached an officer to lie at the scene about hitting the suspect’s vehicle, was promoted to sergeant in a closed door, not for the public ceremony by Chief  James Rovella. The federal court ruled on Aug 30th that I can call Barone back to continue his deposition and ask him about Flatbush Avenue. That deposition is scheduled for this week.”

 

Colin Kaepernick, Donald Trump & Liberal Hypocrisy

I don’t like what Donald Trump said about how Colin Kaepernick, and other National Football League players who protest the national anthem should be fired. I also don’t like the fact that 89% of Senate Democrats voted with the Republicans to pass a $700 million defense bill, or  Democrat Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin continuing to push his racist bankruptcy plan, which targets predominantly Black cities nationwide (Detroit, Chicago). I don’t like racism, whether it comes from Trump or the Democrats.  White liberals are manipulating the race issue, railing against Trump’s bigotry and racist policies while saying nothing about systemic racism in the Democratic Party.

Kaepernick’s  anthem protest has inspired a grassroots criminal justice / economic policy initiative. Four NFL players: Malcolm Jenkins and Torrey Smith, Philadelphia Eagles, Anquan Boldin (retired) , Buffalo Bills, and Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks, have submitted a detailed racial justice policy paper to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, asking for the league’s support. So, Kaepernick being blackballed by the NFL has only poured gasoline on the fire. https://sports.yahoo.com/memo-nfl-players-ask-roger-goodell-support-racial-equality-campaign-031110505.html

It’s amusing to watch the guy who got busted for housing discrimination by the Department of Justice (twice), whine about Black athletes protesting against racism, while other white bigots cling to the ‘kneeling for the national anthem disrespects the military’ argument, acting as if #VeteransForKaepernick doesn’t exist.  Thanks to the veterans who debunk this false narrative.

Democratic Party legislators on the city, state and federal level have done NOTHING in terms of policy, to address the issues Kaepernick has raised with his anthem protest: police brutality, criminal justice reform and racial economic disparity. Let’s see if urban legislators in Connecticut support the proposals in the policy paper by Jenkins,  Smith, Boldin and Bennett.

 

Resources

Get Global Network podcast.  “Culture of Impunity”: The Connecticut Valley Hospital Patient Abuse Scandal.

American News Network Summary Judgement co-hosts Rachel Baird and Ed Peruta talk about the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board, and Peruta’s lawsuit against the Hartford Police. Peruta is a former Wethersfield police officer.

 

From Hartford to Kansas, Neoliberalism = Disaster:

From Hartford to Kansas, Neoliberalism = Disaster

 

Follow CP on Twitter for state, national and world news headlines. https://twitter.com/CommunityParty1 Check out my Facebook page for daily news commentary. https://www.facebook.com/david.samuels.948 Listen to So-Metro Radio the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM for commentary on urban issues http://www.sometroradio.com/ ;;; Check out our No Sellout blog (https://hendu39.wordpress.com/). Contact us at samuelssloflo@aol.com.

 

Hurricane Relief in Caribbean Islands, Florida and Houston

How to Help Residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Recover After Hurricane Maria
These organizations are helping with immediate needs—like food—and long-term efforts, including rebuilding.

Ayana Byrd  Sep 21, 2017

http://www.colorlines.com/articles/how-help-residents-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands-recover-after-hurricane-maria

8 Ways to Help People of Color Recover From Hurricane Irma
A list of organizations working to rebuild communities in the path of one of the most powerful hurricanes in history.

Ayana Byrd  Sep 11, 2017

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/8-ways-help-people-color-recover-hurricane-irma

 

 

 

Connecticut Valley Hospital Workplace Bullying Survey Results

CVH tried to suppress these results. The Community Party obtained the survey through a Freedom of Information Act request. This data is proof of a toxic culture that led to  the patient abuse at Whiting Forensic Division.

“I have encountered bullying situations at work.” 70.6% of CVH workers “strongly agree”. 20.7 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH manager / supervisor.” 59.9% “strongly agree”. 16.5% “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH manager / supervisor in my unit / program.” 54.0 % “strongly agree”. 16.2 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH co-worker.” 39.6% “strongly agree”. 20.2 % “agree”.
“I have felt bullied when interacting with a CVH co-worker in my unit / program.” 37.5 % “strongly agree”. 20.8 % “agree”.
“I feel that bullying is an accepted part of the culture at CVH.” 54.1 % “strongly agree.” 25.7% “agree”.
“I reported bullying and there was a positive resolution of my concerns.” 61.6% “strongly disagree”. 24.5% “disagree”.
“I fear retaliation for reporting bullying or other hostile behavior.” 66.6% “strongly agree”. 17.1 % “agree”.

“Culture of Impunity”: Community Reacts to CVH Patient Abuse Scandal

by David Samuels

This column appears in the September 21 – 28 edition of the Hartford News.

 

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective. First, third and fifth Tuesday of each month. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific. Tune in! http://www.sometroradio.com/   Next show: October 3. Check out our No Sellout blog for info on the rest of our Community Party Media lineup, including False Choice: the Bipartisan Attack on the Working Class, the Poor and Communities of Color. https://hendu39.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/community-party-media-3/
Community Party Radio Podcast

Visit No Sellout to listen to podcasts of past shows.

Podcasts – Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

 

Community Update

State Budget Crisis

Connecticut liberals, ICYMI while you were engaged in your fixation on President Donald Trump, last week the CT Republicans passed a budget at the State Capitol. Conservative Democrats in the Senate and the House defected, to get the budget passed. Gov. Dan Malloy intends to veto the bill, but this is a glimpse of the future.
The GOP has 32 governors, and control 33 state legislatures. The Republicans are ONE STATE away from having the power to amend the U.S. Constitution. The Democrats’ neoliberal, racist policies placed them in this predicament, but of course halo wearing white liberals will never cop to that. Trump will be the least of your problems in 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-republican-constitution-amendment-20161205-story.html

I watch the Capitol Report program on WTNH, a slickly produced Sunday morning food fight between Democratic and Republican surrogates. My feeling is, a pox on both your houses. Kansas is the cautionary tale for anyone who thinks a switch to GOP rule is the answer for Connecticut.

Nick Johnson of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported on the catastrophic economic policies of Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. “In 2012, Kansas slashed income tax rates, eliminated income taxes entirely for many businesses, and planned to further cut income tax rate cuts over the next several years, with the goal of eventually eliminating the income tax entirely. Governor Brownback promised the tax cuts would be a ‘shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas economy,’ but reality has been far different. Rather than spur a boom, the Brownback plan merely gave a tax-cut windfall to the rich and raised taxes on many lower-income people while sending the state’s finances into a tailspin.
Kansas’ finances are now in crisis. State reserves are drained, and Kansas faces a $900 million budget shortfall. Two bond rating agencies have downgraded Kansas due to its fiscal problems, and the state’s education system and other crucial services have suffered as the state struggled to afford to invest in people and communities.
Kansas’ five-year experiment shows us what happens when we try to tax-cut our way to prosperity…”  https://www.cbpp.org/press/statements/nick-johnson-kansas-wise-to-undo-failed-tax-cut-experiment

Democrat Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton turned a $6 budget deficit, which he inherited from his tax cutting Republican predecessor Tim Pawlenty, into a $1 billion surplus by taxing the rich and raising the minimum wage.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-gibson/mark-dayton-minnesota-economy_b_6737786.html

 

Group of Black St. Louis Police Officers Say Jason Stockley Guilty of Murder

“(Jason) Stockley killed (Anthony) Smith, about 45 seconds after making the, ‘We’re going to kill this m———–!’ statement. His words, then actions appear calculated, and premeditated… In conclusion, the board of the Ethical Society of Police believes the actions of Jason Stockley were that of murder, and warrant a conviction.” ~ The Ethical Society of Police, a group of Black St. Louis police officers.

Last week a Missouri judge found former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley not guilty of first-degree murder, in the 2011 fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith. Protests erupted in the city following the verdict. Ricardo Torres, a retired State of Connecticut Agency Police Officer who was fired by Mayor Luke Bronin from his position as a Hartford Civilian Police Review Board member, for asking inconvenient questions about the brutality investigation involving retired Hartford Police detective Sean Spell, pointed out that Stockley stating his intention to kill Smith would have been used by police and a prosecutor against a citizen, to prove premeditation. Torres is a certified use of force expert. U.S. police kill people at a rate of 70 times more than police in all other ‘first world’ nations. The E.S.O.P. analysis of the evidence in the case is available here. https://www.scribd.com/document/358700395/Why-Former-SLMPD-Officer-Jason-Stockley-Should-Be-Found-Guilty

 

Corporate Welfare

The Community Party has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Economic and Community Development, for data on the number of jobs created in 2016 by companies that received corporate tax subsidies from the State of Connecticut. DECD did not respond to a previous email, seeking this data.

 

Policy Watch

Culture of Workplace Bullying Caused CVH Patient Abuse & Cover-Up

 

Excellent job last week by WNPR Where We Live host Lucy Nalpathanchil, who grilled DMHAS commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon about the Connecticut Valley Hospital patient abuse scandal. Nalpathanchil hit the nail on the head when she described the “culture of impunity” that exists at CVH, which made workers feel like they could abuse a patient in front of video cameras, and get away with it.
This culture filters down from CVH management, who routinely abuse workers and protect chosen employees, who engage in bullying of other staff members. People are calling for Delphin-Rittmon to be fired, but that would only be a cosmetic change. The culture of abuse and workplace bullying that’s perpetuated by CVH / DMHAS / DAS must be dismantled, root and branch.

 

This scandal is not an isolated incident, as Where We Live callers and show guest India Mills, conservator for Kim Woolfolk, pointed out. Josh Kovner of the Courant reported on Kim’s story.

 

“Kim Woolfolk would have faced a challenging adulthood no matter the circumstances. Born to unstable parents, she was an assault victim and she experienced repeated physical and emotional trauma as a girl growing up in New Haven in the 1980s — when post-traumatic stress syndrome was regarded as something that only happened to soldiers.Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, she was committed to Riverview children’s psychiatric hospital in the early 1980s.

 

“When she was old enough, she was transferred to Connecticut Valley Hospital, where she has been for most of the past 32 years. But her adult years have been nearly unbearable for Woolfolk, 46. They have been grinding, abusive, and often emotionally torturous, according to a lawsuit that is now reverberating through the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, known as DMHAS.  The reason for her suffering, the lawsuit charges, is her confinement for at least half of those 32 years at the Whiting maximum security division as the only woman on an all-male ward.

 

“Not only was she the lone female, the lawsuit states, she was often the only non-criminal offender in a Whiting ward dominated by men who had been acquitted, by reason of insanity, of murder, sexual assault, arson, aggravated assault, and other serious crimes.
Woolfolk was civilly committed through probate court in Middletown. She has an extensive history of assaultive behavior inside the hospital, her lawyer acknowledges, but she never has been convicted of a criminal offense. After a period of living in the community, she is now in a co-ed unit at Whiting.”

 

Republican Sen. Heather Somers, co-chair of the Connecticut General Assembly Public Health Committee, called out Gov. Dan Malloy, who made one generic, bs statement about the CVH scandal. As I predicted a week ago in this space, Malloy is protecting Delphin-Rittmon, his appointee. Outside intervention is crucial. CVH / DMHAS cannot be allowed to police themselves. Here’s reaction from listeners who posted comments on the Where We Live Facebook page.

 

Kim Oravetz: This interview was deeply disappointing. The commissioner provided little insight into what the culture of this place is like and how it could lead to these events. Thank you for pointing out that she didn’t even sound upset. So blasé and repeating the same lines over and over. Thank you for holding them accountable by covering this story.

Bob Townsend: DMHAS seems as useless as the Department of Public Health. I complained repeatedly about the care/abuse my mother suffered at a nursing home the state did nothing but defend the facility and make excuses for them. She fell four times in three months. The state did nothing. She died as a result of the last fall.

Examples?

She didn’t fall, she was just sitting on the floor (an 80 year old woman!).

Nurse took her walker away from her? That’s ok because although there was a doctors order for a walker the order wasn’t specific as to placement. She has to walk to her walker! Because the staff ignored the call button. She died!

I could go on… and on. They didn’t care and they still don’t.

Sarah Smith: I couldn’t stand the commissioner’s cautious, politically correct rhetoric. Patient abuse is way under exposed. This is the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who has a loved one who has spent any time in a state psychiatric facility knows that people who are forcibly treated in these places typically come out in much worse shape than when they entered, just like putting juveniles into an adult prison ruins them for life. People go to these places to learn how to act like a lunatic because the culture is not a recovery culture. It is a doom and gloom place based on the failed medical model of mental illness. It is terrifying to have your first break and be committed to one of these hell holes. Violence is endemic, starting with restraints and the practice of holding patients down and forcibly injecting them with giant doses of Haldol and Thorazine. All you hear about in the media is patient on staff violence, not staff on patient violence. Many of the patients are labeled ‘treatment resistant’ and they initially got into these places because of adverse drug reactions. Akathesia is not understood. Akathesia is the origin of much of the violence and aggression exhibited by patients. What is the response by professionals? Up the dosage of the offending drug. Drug people until they are nearly catatonic and inches away from death. Drugging and sedation is always for the benefit of the caregiver, not the patient. We are looking at the tip of the iceberg of psychiatric abuse and this commissioner is not going to do anything about the root of the problem. She sounds like she is running for office. Typical.

Yvette Sangster: Thank you for taking on this topic. It’s time to thank people like that one who reported the abuse and remove the abusers. Only a loud out cry from the public will bring about change.

Jeff Clark:  Crazy… poor supervision, no supervision…and all those who saw but didn’t say a word?! Sadly they should all be accountable to some degree.

Forty eight people reportedly knew about the patient abuse at Connecticut Valley Hospital and said nothing. The culture of workplace bullying at CVH certainly caused the silence of some employees. A CVH staff member who works at Whiting told me about how he faced swift retaliation from bosses and co-workers, when he blew the whistle about something wrong he saw happening. This worker began to receive criticism about his job performance, a common retaliatory tactic by CVH management. He was accused of breaking work rules, another strategy that’s regularly used to discredit employees who speak up. Workplace bullying led to the abuse of the Whiting patient, and was a major reason why the abuse went unreported. CVH and DMHAS management manipulate work rules, to target employees they don’t like. The current system provides bullied employees with no recourse. The silence from Malloy and the Democrats is deafening; an indication of the incestuous relationship between elected officials, CVH, DMHAS and the Department of Administrative Services, who oversee CVH and DMHAS.

Resources

What Happened At Whiting? Abuse At Connecticut’s Psychiatric Hospital:

http://wnpr.org/post/what-happened-whiting-abuse-connecticuts-psychiatric-hospital

CT Voices for Children Budget Analysis:

http://www.ctvoices.org/BudgetVote2017

 

Follow CP on Twitter for state, national and world news headlines. https://twitter.com/CommunityParty1 Check out my Facebook page for daily news commentary. https://www.facebook.com/david.samuels.948 Listen to So-Metro Radio the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM for commentary on urban issues http://www.sometroradio.com/  Check out our No Sellout blog (https://hendu39.wordpress.com/). Contact us at samuelssloflo@aol.com.

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio September 19

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio returns Tuesday, September 19. Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective. Guest contributor John Hollis joins us for our special report – “Culture of Impunity”: The Connecticut Valley Hospital Patient Abuse Scandal. John is a retired CVH employee and former union steward. American News Network Summary Judgement co-hosts Rachel Baird and Ed Peruta will talk about the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board, and Peruta’s lawsuit against the Hartford Police. Peruta is a former Wethersfield police officer. We will also have information on grassroots hurricane disaster relief efforts in Houston, Florida and the Caribbean islands. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific.   http://sometroradio.com/

 

Resources

Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Harvey & Hurricane Maria Disaster Relief for Communities of Color:

Hurricane Irma & Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief for Communities of Color

 

What Happened At Whiting? Abuse At Connecticut’s Psychiatric Hospital:

http://wnpr.org/post/what-happened-whiting-abuse-connecticuts-psychiatric-hospital

 

Why Former SLMPD Officer Jason Stockley Should Be Found Guilty:

 

Hartford Civilian Police Review Board in part 2016.10.18:

 

Hartford Police Officer Stephen Barone UNAWARE of Internal Affairs Complaint:

 

 

Hurricane Irma & Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief for Communities of Color

8 Ways to Help People of Color Recover From Hurricane Irma

A list of organizations working to rebuild communities in the path of one of the most powerful hurricanes in history.

Ayana Byrd  Sep 11, 2017 11:33AM EDT

Hurricane Irma, The Washington Post declared, “was everywhere.”
Though the newspaper meant everywhere in Florida, the broader proclaimation feels true when you consider that for nearly one week, since September 5, the powerful storm has dominated global news, bringing sustained winds as high as 185 mph and catastrophic storm surges to islands throughout the Caribbean and the states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
As millions recover, there will be stark differences in how different communities are able to access necessary financial resources. Here, a list of organizations focused on bringing help to communities of color and groups who may face socioeconomic challenges after Irma.
Organizations Helping Communities in Florida
Hurricane Irma Community Recovery Fund is an umbrella organization focused on supporting grassroots Florida-based organizations helping communities to rebuild. According to the fund, there are three million Floridians living in poverty, as well as an estimated 850,000 undocumented immigrants who may fear accessing government resources. Donations are funneled to partner organizations including Dream Defenders, Central Florida Jobs for Justice and Make the Homeless Smile, to give them much needed resources.
The Hurricane Irma Solidarity Network was created by Miami-based organizer Brittany Williams and works in partnership with Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, Safety Pin Box and Coalition to Support Racial Justice Organizing to raise money that goes directly to Black women in South Florida—and especially the South Miami Dade area—for long-term needs including home repairs and rent. As stated on the network’s website, “The South Miami Dade area is considered the rural part of Miami and is often overlooked by mainstream media, however it has always suffered the most and been hit the hardest by hurricanes. The South Miami Dade area is made up of Black, immigrant and migrant people who are the most vulnerable.”
Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies provides disaster recovery efforts for people with disabilities impacted by Irma, through direct rescues, the creation of a hotline to assist in locating services and other efforts.
In the immediate post-Harvey recovery, numerous images emerged of pets and other animals in the flood water. Humane Society of Tampa Bay is one group dedicated to keeping animals safe from Irma by working with devastated shelters from across the state to take in other animals.  Donations go to their various life-saving services (from food to medical care) to keep animals without homes from being put down.
Organizations Helping Communities in Puerto Rico
Just two days before Irma skirted Puerto Rico, Iniciativa Comunitaria, a 25-year-old organization focused on community uplift whose motto translates to “we are a big hug,” opened a shelter on the island to take in displaced people. It is also working to offer support for those left without homes after the storm. Donate items or money here.
Con PR Metidos is a millennial-led organization that builds partnerships between private and public organizations to strengthen Puerto Rico’s economic development. In the aftermath of Irma, which left more than one million without electricity and killed at least three people on the island, it is attempting to raise $150,000 for relief and recovery efforts.
Organizations Helping Communities in The U.S. Virgin Islands
Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, leaving four dead and the islands of St. Thomas and St. John “not safe” as of Sunday, according to Gov. Kenneth Mapp. Former San Antonio Spurs basketball star Tim Duncan grew up on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and he has set up the 21 U.S. Virgin Island Relief Fund. “I will match your financial donations up to the first $1 million. I’ve just started things off with my initial $250,000 contribution,” he wrote in an essay published Saturday (September 9) on The Players’ Tribune. He also wrote about his love of the island and memories of the territory’s struggles to recover from past hurricanes. Make a contribution here.
Organizations Helping Communities in Barbuda
The American University of Antigua (AUA) started the Barbuda Relief Fund to provide emergency supplies like food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery assistance for the island of 1,800 residents. According to the prime minister, 95 percent of homes in Barbuda are now uninhabitable. All donations will be matched by AUA.

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/8-ways-help-people-color-recover-hurricane-irma

source: Colorlines.com

 

 

CVH Patient Abuse Scandal: A Natural Progression

by David Samuels

This column appears in the September 14 – 21 edition of the Hartford News.

 

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective. First, third and fifth Tuesday of each month. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific. Tune in! http://www.sometroradio.com/   Next show: September 19. Check out our No Sellout blog for info on the rest of our Community Party Media lineup, including False Choice: the Bipartisan Attack on the Working Class, the Poor and Communities of Color. https://hendu39.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/community-party-media-3/
Community Party Radio Podcast

Visit No Sellout to listen to podcasts of past shows.

Podcasts – Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

 

PROGRAM ALERT

The September 19 edition of Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio will feature a special report on the Connecticut Valley Hospital patient abuse scandal. Guest contributor John Hollis, a retired CVH employee and a former union steward, will join us. Rachel Baird and Ed Peruta, co-hosts of the American News Network Summary Judgement show, will talk about the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board, and Peruta’s lawsuit against the Hartford Police. Peruta is a retired Wethersfield police officer.

 

Community Update

8 Ways to Help People of Color Recover From Hurricane Irma
A list of organizations working to rebuild communities in the path of one of the most powerful hurricanes in history.

Ayana Byrd  Sep 11, 2017 11:33AM EDT

Hurricane Irma, The Washington Post declared, “was everywhere.”
Though the newspaper meant everywhere in Florida, the broader proclaimation feels true when you consider that for nearly one week, since September 5, the powerful storm has dominated global news, bringing sustained winds as high as 185 mph and catastrophic storm surges to islands throughout the Caribbean and the states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
As millions recover, there will be stark differences in how different communities are able to access necessary financial resources. Here, a list of organizations focused on bringing help to communities of color and groups who may face socioeconomic challenges after Irma.

Organizations Helping Communities in Florida

Hurricane Irma Community Recovery Fund is an umbrella organization focused on supporting grassroots Florida-based organizations helping communities to rebuild. According to the fund, there are three million Floridians living in poverty, as well as an estimated 850,000 undocumented immigrants who may fear accessing government resources. Donations are funneled to partner organizations including Dream Defenders, Central Florida Jobs for Justice and Make the Homeless Smile, to give them much needed resources.

The Hurricane Irma Solidarity Network was created by Miami-based organizer Brittany Williams and works in partnership with Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, Safety Pin Box and Coalition to Support Racial Justice Organizing to raise money that goes directly to Black women in South Florida—and especially the South Miami Dade area—for long-term needs including home repairs and rent. As stated on the network’s website, “The South Miami Dade area is considered the rural part of Miami and is often overlooked by mainstream media, however it has always suffered the most and been hit the hardest by hurricanes. The South Miami Dade area is made up of Black, immigrant and migrant people who are the most vulnerable.”
Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies provides disaster recovery efforts for people with disabilities impacted by Irma, through direct rescues, the creation of a hotline to assist in locating services and other efforts.

In the immediate post-Harvey recovery, numerous images emerged of pets and other animals in the flood water. Humane Society of Tampa Bay is one group dedicated to keeping animals safe from Irma by working with devastated shelters from across the state to take in other animals.  Donations go to their various life-saving services (from food to medical care) to keep animals without homes from being put down.

Organizations Helping Communities in Puerto Rico

Just two days before Irma skirted Puerto Rico, Iniciativa Comunitaria, a 25-year-old organization focused on community uplift whose motto translates to “we are a big hug,” opened a shelter on the island to take in displaced people. It is also working to offer support for those left without homes after the storm. Donate items or money here.
Con PR Metidos is a millennial-led organization that builds partnerships between private and public organizations to strengthen Puerto Rico’s economic development. In the aftermath of Irma, which left more than one million without electricity and killed at least three people on the island, it is attempting to raise $150,000 for relief and recovery efforts.

Organizations Helping Communities in The U.S. Virgin Islands

Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, leaving four dead and the islands of St. Thomas and St. John “not safe” as of Sunday, according to Gov. Kenneth Mapp. Former San Antonio Spurs basketball star Tim Duncan grew up on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and he has set up the 21 U.S. Virgin Island Relief Fund. “I will match your financial donations up to the first $1 million. I’ve just started things off with my initial $250,000 contribution,” he wrote in an essay published Saturday (September 9) on The Players’ Tribune. He also wrote about his love of the island and memories of the territory’s struggles to recover from past hurricanes. Make a contribution here.

Organizations Helping Communities in Barbuda

The American University of Antigua (AUA) started the Barbuda Relief Fund to provide emergency supplies like food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery assistance for the island of 1,800 residents. According to the prime minister, 95 percent of homes in Barbuda are now uninhabitable. All donations will be matched by AUA.

 

Why Don’t You Just Wear a Sign?

Face the State host Dennis House actually complained about the campaigns of Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Dan Drew and his running mate Rep. Liz Linehan being publicly financed, during Linehan’s appearance last Sunday on FTS. Yeah Dennis, the real problem in this country is that there just is not enough money in politics. You won’t hear him complain about taxpayers funding corporate welfare, which doesn’t create jobs.
http://www.ctvoices.org/TaxBreaks  Last Sunday I contacted the Department of Economic and Community Development. I requested information on how many jobs are created by each Connecticut company that receives corporate tax subsidies. The Tax Credit Portfolio database on the DECD website is not functioning. DECD has not responded. Stay tuned for updates.

Policy Watch

CVH Workplace Bullying Culture Infects a Patient

 

I have been writing about workplace bullying at Connecticut Valley Hospital, my employer, for several years. The arrests last week of nine staff members at the Whiting Forensic Division of CVH for patient abuse, is just the tip of the iceberg.  All of the accused individuals are innocent until proven guilty and have a right to due process, but it’s clear from videotape evidence that a patient was abused by some Whiting staff members. Retired CVH employee John Hollis and I obtained data and internal emails through Freedom of Information requests, which prove that a culture of systemic racism and workplace bullying is being perpetuated by CVH management, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Department of Administrative Services, which oversees DMHAS and CVH.  CVH fires Black employees 42% more often than whites. Overall Blacks are terminated at a rate of 71%, compared to just 22% for whites. Blacks are subjected to disciplinary action at a rate of 10% more than other workers. 70% of the CVH employees who make $120,000 per year or more are white, only 3% are Black. CVH initially withheld data on race; we had to file a second FOI request to obtain the information.

 

I have filed an FOI request for the results of a 2012 CVH workplace bullying survey, which reveals the scope of bullying at the facility. CVH tried to suppress the results; they finally shared the numbers after John, who was a union steward, submitted a written request on behalf of CVH employees who wanted the data. After I published the results in this space, CVH classified the survey as an “internal document.”  The Department of Health and Human Services defines workplace bullying as the equivalent of domestic violence. The abuse of a patient by CVH staff members was a natural progression. The unrelenting abuse CVH management inflicts on employees has now infected a 62 year-old patient. I guarantee you that the workers who abused the patient also bullied their co-workers.

 

As CVH employees appeared in court on charges of patient abuse, CVH management and DMHAS attempted to distance themselves, by denouncing the workers’ actions.  I don’t feel safe at work, because the truth is that this abuse is a direct result of a culture of bullying,  which CVH employees said long ago in a loud voice is being perpetuated by CVH management. Republican legislator Heather Somers, co-chair of the Connecticut General Assembly public health committee who is calling for public hearings on the Whiting scandal, talked about a “lack of leadership” at CVH. She’s getting warm.

 

When I returned to work last week after being out on FMLA leave, I quickly saw that CVH management’s response to this scandal, which will certainly lead to massive lawsuits, was to double down on their bullying of CVH staff.  Two of my co-workers, who voiced a legitimate complaint about a white employee who is being protected by management, were ordered by a CVH manager to stop complaining about this individual. Workplace bullying advocates point out that bosses use this divide and conquer tactic to control the office. Certain employees are shown preferential treatment; usually these workers are utilized as informants. CVH management believes that they can bully their way through any attempt to hold them accountable, because they’ve been doing that forever. The labor laws in this state are a joke.

 

The Community Party urges state lawmakers to hold CVH / DMHAS / DAS accountable for perpetuating a toxic work environment, that puts patients and employees at risk.  DMHAS and DAS conspire to kill workplace violence legislation and other labor bills; we have an internal DMHAS / DAS email that proves this. A source at the State Capitol told us that DAS killed CP’s Safe Work Environment Act workplace bullying legislation (see our Resources section). John and I are talking to elected officials now. Rep. Matthew Lesser (CVH is located in Middletown, Lesser’s district) is the only legislator who hasn’t responded.

 

An independent entity with grassroots representation is needed to oversee DAS, DMHAS and CVH. The culture of repression that is perpetuated from the highest levels must be  dismantled, root and branch. Firing people while preserving the culture that spawned the abuse at Whiting Forensic would be nothing but a public relations move, politics as usual. My concern is that this scandal will be used to smear all CVH employees, and state workers in general. Somers and other GOP legislators are harping on overtime. CVH, like other state facilities, is understaffed due to budget cuts, so more overtime is required.

 

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Courant columnist Colin McEnroe showed insight into the CVH patient abuse scandal, although he couldn’t help himself and pushed his neoliberal agenda, by joining in the distortion of the state employee overtime issue.  If you want less overtime, tell Gov. Dan Malloy and the CGA to fully fund state hospitals. You can’t have it both ways. The employees who engaged in patient abuse are not representative of most state workers.

 

DMHAS and DAS have a lot of political power. They will try to frame the Whiting scandal as a case of some rogue employees doing wrong, and use it as a pretext to become even more tyrannical toward CVH employees and DMHAS workers statewide.  Malloy selected DMHAS commissioner Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, so he obviously will want to protect himself and his appointee. Again, simply firing people would only be political theater; management changes must be accompanied with a radical culture and policy transformation, focused on PATIENT AND WORKERS’ RIGHTS.  If this does not occur, there will be another scandal or tragedy, like the 1998 Connecticut Lottery mass shooting.

 

The way CVH / DMHAS / DAS relentlessly abuse employees, the miracle is that we don’t have a patient abuse scandal or mass shooting at a state facility every week.  The DHHS definition of workplace bullying supports my opinion that CVH / DMHAS / DAS  management are a criminal element. I interviewed a Latinx state employee who contemplated suicide, because of bullying by DMHAS. A Black social worker recently appeared on my radio show; she has faced retaliation, because she reported her white boss for sending her a sexually explicit message over work email. This was just one act in a pattern of sexual harassment.

 

Real change, not cosmetic surgery, is required. Whether or not this actually happens remains to be seen. State employees will have to speak up. Contact Malloy and your legislators. Make it clear that you will not be thrown under the bus, while the culprits who perpetuate the culture of abuse that has infected a patient remain in power, unscathed. You can identify your senator and state representative by visiting the CGA website.

Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT, 06106
Phone Number: (860) 566-4840
Toll-Free: (800) 406-1527
TDD: (860) 524-7397
Fax: (860) 524-7396

http://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/Contact-Governor-Malloy/Share-your-Opinion-with-the-Governor

 

Connecticut General Assembly

(860) 240‑0100

https://www.cga.ct.gov/default.asp

 

Resources

“Big Bad DAS, killing those Labor bills :)” (Full Text): https://hendu39.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/big-bad-das-killing-those-labor-bills-part-2/

 

Follow CP on Twitter for state, national and world news headlines. https://twitter.com/CommunityParty1 Check out my Facebook page for daily news commentary. https://www.facebook.com/david.samuels.948 Listen to So-Metro Radio the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM for commentary on urban issues http://www.sometroradio.com/  Check out our No Sellout blog (https://hendu39.wordpress.com/). Contact us at samuelssloflo@aol.com.

 

 

Hurricane Harvey: Corporate Media Ignores Environmental Racism, Climate Change

by David Samuels

This column appears in the September 7 – 14 edition of the Hartford News.

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective. First, third and fifth Tuesday of each month. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific. Tune in! http://www.sometroradio.com/   Next show: September 19. Check out our No Sellout blog for info on the rest of our Community Party Media lineup, including False Choice: the Bipartisan Attack on the Working Class, the Poor and Communities of Color. https://hendu39.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/community-party-media-3/

 

Community Party Radio Podcast

Visit No Sellout to listen to podcasts of past shows.

Podcasts – Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio

 

Community Update

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned, due to his national anthem protest. Check out the Standing for Kaepernick website, for info on how you can support Kaepernick as the National Football League season opens September 7. https://standingforkaepernick.org/

 

 

Policy Watch

Why Texan Communities of Color Are Particularly Vulnerable to Hurricane Harvey

Within Houston, and throughout Texas, those hardest hit will be communities of color. There are a number of reasons why they are particularly vulnerable. One is because many residents of these areas were not able to evacuate. As The Atlantic reports:
“While many South Texans evacuated north per the recommendation of Governor Greg Abbott, poorer or disabled residents may not have had the resources or the capability to follow that advice. Many undocumented immigrants, as well, may have chosen to stay behind because Border Patrol refused to suspend its checkpoints during the storm. (The governor did affirm, however, that shelters will be exempt from immigration enforcement.) ”
Another reason is because of where lower income communities of color are typically located within cities. They are often in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to flooding and, per The Atlantic, “near petrochemical plants of superfund sites that can overflow during the storm.”
Beyond Houston, there are the Texas neighborhoods called “colonias,” which are located near the U.S.-Mexico border, and consequently, in the direct path of Harvey. These areas are often built on flood zones and lack sufficient wastewater infrastructure. The website for the Texas Secretary of State says there are approximately 400,000 Texans living in the states 2,294 colonias, and 64.4 percent of them are Latinx. According to The Atlantic, “more than 70 percent of colonia inhabitants are U.S. citizens.”
It is not uncommon for immigrants or communities of color to be most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  However, what is not as clear is the correlation between climate change and hurricanes. Per an article in The New York Times, the science connecting the two is “still emerging.” Yet, as The Times reports in an interview with Texas Tech University climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, even if global warming does not change the number of storms, “tropical storms and hurricanes do gain energy from warm water, so the unusually warm water that has accompanied climate change “can have a role in intensifying a storm that already exists.”

source: Ayana Byrd, Colorlines.com columnist

 

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey, a climate change driven disaster of biblical proportions, left death and destruction in its wake. Low income communities of color are deprived of resources, making them especially vulnerable during natural disasters. Environmental racism by elected officials in Texas has resulted in these neighborhoods in effect being zoned next to Houston chemical plants and oil refineries, compounding the catastrophic effects of Harvey.  A Black Houston resident told NPR that rescue and recovery resources were concentrated on wealthier, white suburbs.

 

The Community Party is sharing disaster relief information on grassroots organizations that focus on Black and Latinx neighborhoods, along with other marginalized populations.

*****

How to Donate Money and Other Aid to Communities of Color in Houston
A list of charities and organizations working to keep immigrant, Black, Latinx and other populations safe after Hurricane Harvey.

Ayana Byrd  Aug 29, 2017

Four days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, people in the southern parts of the state remain in dire need of help. Nine people have been confirmed dead and at least another foot of rain is expected to fall before the end of the week. Today (August 29), CNN reports that two levees have been breached in Brazoria County, south of Houston, and officials tweeted a warning that read, “Get out now!!” Houston police have rescued at least 3,400 people in the city, which has already had more than 30 inches of rain as a result of Harvey.
Yesterday (August 28), former President Barack Obama tweeted his appreciation to everyone taking part in the rescue efforts and suggested that concerned people donate to the American Red Cross.

But the Red Cross—an organization that provides disaster relief and emergency assistance—has a controversial track record regarding how donations are used following natural disasters.
Per a previous Colorlines article, “an investigation by ProPublica and NPR in 2015 claimed the agency built only six homes with the $500 million it received in donations after the 2010 earthquake which devastated [Haiti].” And last year, after people in Louisiana were displaced by flooding, Colorlines reported that at a Baton Rouge Red Cross shelter, “volunteers had to pay for baby formula out of pocket—even though Red Cross received a truckload of it as a donation that could be distributed to the majority-Black population being housed there.”
Fortunately, there are organizations whose focus is to provide assistance to communities of color and other groups that are disproportionately vulnerable in times of tragedy. Here, a partial list.
Organizations Focused on People of Color

The Black Women’s Defense League is a Dallas-based organization that is working with Houston activists to determine what underserved communities need. Click here for a list of supplies that can be donated.   https://www.facebook.com/blackwomensdefenseleague/posts/1602605389792453      Head here to donate money.  https://www.paypal.me/WorldOnMyShoulders

RAICES, a Texas-based nonprofit legal advocacy group, has been working with Texas shelters to find housing for woman and children stranded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being released from detention centers. Donate to them here. https://www.raicestexas.org/pages/donate Unrelated to RAICES, but benefiting the same women and children, a San Antonio city council member has set up a collection to send clothing, toys and toiletries to them. You can mail boxes to the Collins Garden Library in San Antonio.

ICNA Relief, also known as Muslims for Humanity, is a nonprofit that has committed aid to residents of Southern Texas after the devastation of Harvey.

BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund benefits individuals and families who are victims of publicly declared disasters. Tom Joyner founded it following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and he has donated $20,000 to it in the wake of Harvey.

Living Hope Wheelchair Association serves populations with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities, and the bulk of their members are immigrants and low-wage workers. The organization has also been conducting direct rescues since the hurricane made landfall.

SHAPE Community Center says its organization aims to “improve the quality of life for people of African descent (all people) through programs and activities, with emphasis on unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.” Since the storm made landfall in Texas, it has mobilized to help the people of Houston stay safe and find shelter.

South Texas Human Rights Center is committed to keeping immigrant families intact and preventing migrant deaths along the Texas-Mexico border through community initiatives. The border—and those living on it—were in the direct path of Hurricane Harvey.

Organizations Helping Other Marginalized Communities

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund was created by the mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, as a direct response to individuals and corporations asking how they could help the city. On Monday (August 28), Turner who is also a lawyer, announced in a press conference that he would personally represent any undocumented people who faced deportation as a result of seeking help because of the storm.

The Way Home works to end homelessness in Houston, Harris County and Fort Bend County. It has partnered with a network of area shelters to achieve this. Donate directly to The Way Home or to its partners.

The Transgender Foundation of America has created a relief fund in the Houston-area for trans and intersex people, two groups who are often turned away from shelters during disasters.

Portlight assists people with disabilities who have medical needs or require shelter as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Texas Diaper Bank provides emergency diaper kits (which are not distributed by relief agencies) for babies, seniors and people with disabilities.

The Homeless Period Project of Austin distributes tampons, pads and other period-related items to those displaced by the storm.

*Story has been updated to reflect that the Collins Garden Library collection was not organized by RAICES.

source: Colorlines  http://www.colorlines.com/

Black Women’s Defense League
August 29

HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF EFFORTS

World on My Shoulders (WOMS) and @blackwomensdefenseleague (BWDL) have been fielding phone calls since last night from activists in Houston. They’ve been telling us what they need and how we can support them. These are people in and serving underserved communities that will likely go unsupported by relief efforts of more well-known organizations.

We will be going in when the roads clear, which is likely going to be Wednesday.

These are the needs in order of importance:

$1,500 to facilitate aide efforts
Hazmat suits
Gloves
Trash Bags
First Aid Supplies
Bottled Water
Non-perishable Food items
Diapers (all sizes)
Wipes
Children and Adult Hygiene items
Towels
Toilet/Tissue paper
Children’s uniforms (unisex)
Children’s clothing/shoes (unisex)
School supplies
Women and Men clothing/shoes (Unisex jumpers)
Pillows
Blankets
Baby Carriers
Donate $:
paypal.me/worldonmyshoulders
Shipping address:
World on My Shoulders
PO Box 6576
Tyler, TX 75711
For DFW Area Drop-Off Points:
Call BWDL @ 828-REVOLT-0
————–
Image: white square with text in shades of purple
#HurricaneHarvey [in a white rectangle outlined in purple]
Relief Efforts
World on My Shoulders
Black Women’s Defense League
We are coordinating with Houston activists to help address the needs of underserved communities in Houston.
DONATE
paypal.me/worldonmyshoulders
paypal.me/BWDL

National Black United Front Houston

https://www.razoo.com/story/Iil38f

 

*****

Liberals are whining about President Donald Trump’s lack of compassion towards  Harvey victims, holding up their patron saint Barack Obama as the personification of empathy. The truth is, past presidents including Obama contributed to the climate change that caused extreme weather events such as Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane / Tropical Storm Harvey.

The U.S. constantly opposes international agreements aimed at reducing the pollution that causes climate change, and allows the destruction of coastal land through real estate development that contributes to catastrophic flooding. I’m not impressed by presidents acting sympathetic at the scene of disasters that they helped to create. That’s what George W. Bush (Katrina), Obama (Sandy) and Trump were all doing – acting. This is politics.

Last week white liberals showed that they are just as racist, opportunistic and petty as conservatives, with their self-serving commentary on Harvey. Clucking about Trump’s pants and posting memes about Melania’s high heels, while ignoring the environmental racism that has Black and Brown people inhaling noxious fumes from an exploding chemical plant. Despicable.

 

Resources

Hurricane Harvey: Zip Code & Race Determine Who Will Bear Burden Of Climate Change

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/8/29/hurricane_harvey_zip_code_race_determine

 

Ex-NASA Scientist James Hansen: There is a Clear Link Between Climate Change & Stronger Hurricanes

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/8/30/ex_nasa_scientist_james_hansen_there

 

Should Texas Residents Know the Chemicals They’re Breathing After the Arkema Plant Explosion?

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/9/1/should_texas_residents_know_the_chemicals

 

Follow CP on Twitter for state, national and world news headlines. https://twitter.com/CommunityParty1 Check out my Facebook page for daily news commentary. https://www.facebook.com/david.samuels.948 Listen to So-Metro Radio the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM for commentary on urban issues http://www.sometroradio.com/  Check out our No Sellout blog (https://hendu39.wordpress.com/). Contact us at samuelssloflo@aol.com.

 

 

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio Special: Hurricane Harvey Relief

Community Party Radio on So-Metro Radio returns Tuesday, September 5. Commentary on urban issues from a grassroots perspective.  Low income communities of color are deprived of resources, making them especially vulnerable during natural disasters.

The Community Party will share Hurricane Harvey disaster relief information on grassroots organizations that focus on Black and Latinx neighborhoods, along with other marginalized populations.

We will also talk about environmental racism and climate change, issues that have been mostly ignored during corporate media coverage of Hurricane Harvey. 8:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Pacific.  http://sometroradio.com/

 

Resources

Colorlines.com list of organizations providing Hurricane Harvey disaster relief to communities of color, and other marginalized populations.

http://www.colorlines.com/articles/how-donate-money-and-other-aid-communities-color-houston

Black Women’s Defense Fund

 

 

NBUF online donations:   https://www.razoo.com/story/Iil38f