by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Jakada Imani(Executive Director of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights) speaking at Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative Launch Press Conference with Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (back) and California NAACP President Alice Huffman

By Zachary Norris, Esq.
Books Not Bars

Notable elected officials, unions, and civil rights and faith-based organizations have joined forces in opposition to a proposed California ballot initiative that would bankrupt California by pumping billions of dollars into prisons and failed "anti-gang" laws and "tough on crime" policies of the past. The Coalition to Defeat George Runner's Initiative held a press conference May 7, 2008, announcing the formation of the new coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers, California Church IMPACT, the California NAACP, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. The press conference coincided with other coordinated events taking place throughout the state (Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno) in a coordinated Coalition Day of Action.

by soyinkafan [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and celebrated labor leader and civil rights champion Dolores Huerta endorse Manuel Perez, Candidate for the 80th Assembly District.

"I feel honored beyond words", says Mr. Perez, "to have received this support from two of California's most distinguished leaders.  Both Dolores Huerta and Senator Romero have worked hard for those who have been marginalized and underrepresented.  I will attempt the same."

This is one of the few California state seats in play this year, and the demographics indicate it should be blue by now.  Manuel Perez is an organizer, a healthcare provider, and a powerful progressive voice for this region.  Good thing I listened to netroots nags and ran for state delegate, because now I'll have the honor of endorsing him this Thursday at our Pre-Endorsement meeting, and caucusing for him at the State Convention.   For your people-powered politics fix, read more about Manuel Perez on the flip.

Crossposted at Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/storyo...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Here is the complete speech given by President Felipe Calderon this last week to the California legislature in joint session in the Assembly Chambers. Calderon delivered the speech in English, and was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who was born in Tijuana, Mexico.

Honorable members of the California State Assembly and Senate, Amigas y amigos:

It is truly an honor to be with you in this historic chamber.

I want to especially thank Fabian Núñez, the Speaker of this Assembly, and Gloria Romero, the Senate Majority Leader.

We want to build an alliance with the government and the people of this State for the prosperity, security and environmental sustainability of both Mexico and California.

I believe that some of the issues that tend to divide us should really unite us.

First, Mexico has been working hard to improve security, particularly on our border. But in order to move faster on this matter, we need the cooperation of California and the United States. If we collaborate, we will succeed in making our border a safer place.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By David Dayen
d-day

Every so often, you go to one of these events and see something special. I'm not talking about Maria Shriver, yet.

One of the first speakers was a woman named Susan, a 93 year-old Korean-American and veteran of the Navy in World War II. She talked about going to basic training in the deep South and seeing segregation up close for the first time. "We've come a long way," she said, and in an auditorium filled with people of all races and ethnicities, uniting around one candidate, it rang true.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Every so often, you go to one of these events and see something special.  I'm not talking about Maria Shriver, yet.

One of the first speakers was a woman named Susan, a 93 year-old Korean-American and veteran of the Navy in World War II.  She talked about going to basic training in the deep South and seeing segregation up close for the first time.  "We've come a long way," she said, and in an auditorium filled with people of all races and ethnicities, uniting around one candidate, it rang true.

Oh yeah, there was this too:

more on the flip...

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Hey all.  Sitting here in the spin room at the Kodak Theater prior to tonight's Democratic debate.  The place is kind of swamped with media, and I guess Blitzer's doing his live show just outside, so there are a lot of sign-holders afoot.

Earlier today I was down at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, a community college near downtown, to watch a townhall meeting with Senator Barack Obama.  A lot of his Southern California supporters were on hand, including Assemblyman Ted Lieu, labor leader Maria Elena Durazo, Congressmen Xavier Becerra and Adam Schiff, LA City Councilmembers Yvonne Burke and Bill Rosendahl, and State Senators Dean Florez, Gil Cedillo, and Majority Leader Gloria Romero.  I have as much respect for Senators Cedillo and Romero as anyone in the State Senate.  They have been at the forefront of taking on tough issues; in the case of Sen Romero, prison and sentencing reform (Obama expressed support for eliminating the crack/cocaine powder sentencing and for a more intelligent criminal justice system that deals with nonviolent offenders in a different way), and in the case of Sen. Cedillo, immigration measures like driver's licenses and the DREAM Act (which Obama said he would sign).  It means a lot to me that they are on board Obama's campaign.

More...