Mike & Friends Blog
Virginia Hamori-Ota
Virginia teaches first and second year French at the University of Michigan-Flint.
US Uncut-Michigan and MoveOn Take on Whirlpool and Rick Snyder!
On Saturday May 7, 2011, US Uncut-Michigan joined forces with MoveOn, RecallRickSnyder, local unions, the UAW, and University of Michigan student activist groups to protest the Emergency Financial Manager bill, as well as tax breaks to the wealthy corporation, Whirlpool. In spite of his dictatorial action to dismantle the locally-elected government, Governor Rick Snyder was invited to be the annual Blossomtime Parade’s Grand Marshal.
Whirlpool, which has for decades benefited from the local labor force without giving back its fair share to the community, is a sponsor for this annual parade. Whirlpool has just shut down its Benton Harbor plant, however is building its new international headquarters here. According to Bloomberg on May 4, 2011: "Whirlpool had negative effective income tax rates in 2010, 2009 and 2008. Last year, the company reported an income tax benefit of $64 million and an effective tax rate of negative 10.9 percent, according to company filings. The company expects a similar tax benefit in 2011, corporate controller Larry Venturelli told analysts today." See the full article at: http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LK9VGG0UQVI901-50H3SO7LMOD0H4E73ILLIQ095L
Benton Harbor is EVERYONE’S FUTURE! All around the country, corporate welfare in the form of tax breaks has led to an inadequate revenue base to fund community priorities. When the community doesn't have the revenue to adequately finance operations, budget deficits ensue, cuts are made, programs and services suffer, and an Emergency Financial Manager can be appointed. However, the need for an EFM is the direct result of corporate tax breaks. There is a direct link between corporate tax breaks, called “incentives”, and community decline all across America. Corporations need to pay their fair share! US UNCUT says Un-Cut!
As Governor Snyder crossed the bridge on foot at the head of the parade from the more affluent St. Joe into Benton Harbor, a gauntlet of protestors dressed in red awaited him lining both sides of the street. He marshaled in the parade to chants of “Recall Rick”. As he picked up his pace to reach the end of the gauntlet, the protesters moved with him, following him for a mile down Main Street to 6th Street, where he was taken away by his car to chants of “Shame! Shame!”
Here are some links to videos that portray the spirit of the day on May 7, 2011:
Speeches at the Rally in Front of City Hall before the Parade (approx. 40 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGp0MKx3vS8&NR=1
*Governor Rick Snyder crossing the bridge from St. Joe into Benton Harbor (4:45 min)* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwxhkbbSNVA
Governor Snyder continues down Main Street pursued by the protestors (1 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UklwLETsNlk
Snyder continues down Main Street to chants of “Shame On You!” (1 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UklwLETsNl
Bob King, President of the UAW Interviewed after the march (45 sec) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCS-jW-Yh-c&NR=1
Read and see more about the effort to repeal the new EFM Law in Michigan: (2 min)
Click here to suggest an article
Mike's Blog
-
March 23rd, 2013
This evening is going be a big moment in turning our country around on the issue of gun violence. That's why I desperately want you ...
-
March 21st, 2013
I am hosting a nationwide series of house parties this Saturday night where tens of thousands of people will gather together in living rooms to ...
-
March 15th, 2013
The response to my Newtown letter this week has been overwhelming. It is so very clear to everyone that the majority of Americans have had ...
-
March 13th, 2013
America, You Must Not Look Away (How to Finish Off the NRA)
The year was 1955. Emmett Till was a young African American boy from Chicago visiting relatives in Mississippi. One day Emmett was seen "flirting" with ...
-
February 26th, 2013
My Final Word on Buzzfeed and Emad Burnat's Detention at LAX
Thanks to everyone for bearing with me as I spend so much time on what happened to Emad Burnat. It's important to me because he's ...
-
February 26th, 2013
Michael Moore Responds to Buzzfeed Story on '5 Broken Cameras' Co-Director Emad Burnat
On Tuesday, February 19th, Emad Burnat, the Palestianian co-director of the Oscar-nominated documentary '5 Broken Cameras,' was detained with his wife and son at Los ...
-
February 20th, 2013
Last night was the Motion Picture Academy-sponsored dinner in Beverly Hills honoring the directors and producers of this year's five nominated films for Best Documentary. ...
-
September 11th, 2010
If the 'Mosque' Isn't Built, This Is No Longer America
OpenMike 9/11/10 Michael Moore's daily blog I am opposed to the building of the "mosque" two blocks from Ground Zero. I want it built on ...
-
December 14th, 2010
Why I'm Posting Bail Money for Julian Assange
Yesterday, in the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, the lawyers for WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange presented to the judge a document from me stating that ...
-
May 12th, 2011
Some Final Thoughts on the Death of Osama bin Laden
"The Nazis killed tens of MILLIONS. They got a trial. Why? Because we're not like them. We're Americans. We roll different." – Michael Moore in ...
-
November 22nd, 2011
Where Does Occupy Wall Street Go From Here?
This past weekend I participated in a four-hour meeting of Occupy Wall Street activists whose job it is to come up with the vision and ...
-
September 22nd, 2011
A STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL MOORE ON THE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS
I encourage everyone I know to never travel to Georgia, never buy anything made in Georgia, to never do business in Georgia. I will ask ...
-
December 16th, 2010
Dear Swedish Government: Hi there -- or as you all say, Hallå! You know, all of us here in the U.S. love your country. Your ...
-
November 2nd, 2010
This letter contains (almost) no criticisms of how the Democrats have brought this day of reckoning upon themselves. That -- and where to go from ...
Comments
23