Friday June 19, 1903
From The New York Times: Lowell Textile Laborers Ready to End Strike
The New York Times is reporting this sad news from Lowell, Massachusetts:
The end of the Lowell textile strike seems to be near. The rank and file of the strikers are planning to enter the mill gates Monday morning.
The local Cotton Manufacturing Association received today a communication from the Textile Council asking for a conference with the mill agents. The strikers refuse to discuss the contents, but the mill men regard the note as an overture for peace. It is said that in their communication the strikers ask only for their old places.
SOURCE
The New York Times
-of June 19, 1903
http://select.nytimes.com/...
Friday June 19, 1913
Charleston, West Virginia - Senator Maritine and Coal Operator Come Close to Blows
Senator James Edgar Maritne
Democrat of New Jersey
Senator Maritine nearly came to blows with the coal operator, Quinn Morton, during the hearings of the Senate Investigating Committee on Wednesday. He was seized by Senator Swanson just as he was closing the distance between himself and Morton. With the aid of the Sergeant of Arms, Senator Maritine was taken from the room.
The trouble started as Senator Maritine was questioning Quinn Morton about the attack on Holly Grove. Quinn insisted that the first shots came from the Holly Grove Camp. The Senator demanded:
In your conscience, do you approve of the use of a machine gun to shoot up a village inhabited by defenseless women and children?
Mr Morton and his attorneys objected to that line of questioning. Never-the-less the question was repeated. When the Coal Operator refused to answer, the Senator said:
Well, I can stand the silence and so can the people, if you can.
Senator Maritine left the room, but returned just before the lunch-time recess and resumed questioning Morton. As Senator Maritine was asking Morton how he liked the result of the attack on Holly Grove (the death of Francis Estep), Senator Swanson adjourned the meeting.
Mr Morton then suggested that they would all feel better after a few drinks. This was the point at which the Senator charged at the Coal Operator shouting:
You are a blackguard of the worst character to address such a remark to me.
We thank the Senator for his passionate defense of the miners and their families of the Holly Grove Camp. And we agree that it is an insult to suggest that the Senator should feel better about the murder of a striking miner after a few a drinks.
SOURCE
The New York Times
-of June 18, 1913
http://select.nytimes.com/...
Wednesday June 19, 2013
From Walk Free: Harry Potter Chocolates! Produced by Children Bound in Slavery?
Dear Activists,
The only guilt from eating chocolate should be the calories, right? Unfortunately, with each tasty bite, you could unknowingly be supporting slave labor in the Ivory Coast, where children as young as 7 are forced to work long hours and beaten if they work too slow. Some are sold for as little as a couple of dollars, deceived and trapped into a life of slavery (1).
While many chocolate brands have made public commitments to find the best solution, we're singling out Warner Bros. because:
An independent investigation (2) into their supplier Behrs Chocolates' led to a failing score of 1 out of 48 possible measures to ensure their operations were slavery-free;
Warner Bros. dismissed the findings of the investigation, simply stating that they were 'satisfied' that fair labour practices were being used in the production of their chocolates.
Given the conflicting information, outraged consumers asked Warner Bros. what steps were taken to ensure there was no slavery in Harry Potter Chocolates. Warner Bros. refused to respond.
Right now, we’re heading into one of the busiest times of the year for Warner Bros. theme parks. Children excited to experience the world of Harry Potter will be asking their parents to buy these chocolates. That's why taking a stand right now will make a big impact.
As consumers, we deserve to know that the products we buy are free from the taint of modern slavery. If Corporate Giants like Warner Bros. refuse to be open and accountable, we just don't know.
Thank you for joining me in taking action.
Jessica
Sign the petition:
http://www.democrats.com/...
Walk Free
A movement of people every where,
fighting to end one of the world's greatest evils:
Modern Slavery.
http://www.walkfree.org/
(1)http://news.bbc.co.uk/...
(2, pdf!)http://thehpalliance.org/...
Chocolate and Child Labor PSA
This video was made by Amy Singh (www.amyschocolate.com).
Chocolate and Child Labor PSA
The Cocoa Campaign
http://www.laborrights.org/...
Oh Mary Don't You Weep, Take Six
Take Six, Oh Mary Don't You Weep