Binghamton Political
Initiative (B.P.I.)
is a
group of politically and socially conscious students and professors at
Binghamton University who plan educational events (panel discussions,
workshops, speaker series, etc.) and other engaging activities in order
to raise awareness and encourage open discussions regarding
important current
issues.
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MEETING TIME
BPI meetings are held
once a week in the GSO Lounge (LN 1104) at Binghamton University. Meeting times for the fall semester have yet to be announced. Check back here for updates! FIND OUT MORE Home Mission Statement Coming Events/News Archives Contact Us Photo Gallery LINKS Broome County Peace Action Campus Anti-War Network Campaign to End the Death Penalty Citizen Action of New York DemocracyNow! Essential Dissent Experimental Media Organization/Student Action Collective Food Not Bombs Indymedia Iraq Veterans Against the War Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation People's Radio for the Scranton Area (WFTE 90.3 fm) Radio Not Bombs St. Patrick's Four SUNY Social Justice Network The Radicalender |
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WFTE 90.3 FM: PEOPLE'S
RADIO
 WFTE
is a grassroots coalition building a non-commercial,
listener-supported, volunteer-operated community radio station for the
area of Scranton, PA, and beyond,
dedicated to the progressive values of social justice, economic
justice, human rights, multiculturalism, environmentalism, freedom of
expression, and democracy. WFTE
shall aim to create and provide high quality, innovative and
community-oriented programming serving communities, information, and
ideas that are ignored, suppressed, overlooked, or underserved by the
mainstream media.WFTE is looking to extend its broadcasting range to the Binghamton area! This could be a vital tool in building social justice in our communities, as corporations continue to dominate the airwaves and pollute the public discourse. To get involved in making this a reality, e-mail maresi@wfte.org To help out with donations to get our project on the air, e-mail info@wfte.org. And for updates and more information, visit www.wfte.org. A
CASE OF REPRESSIVE PAROLE
TACTICS AGAINST
LAWRENCE 'GHANA' HAYES
 Lawrence Hayes, a human rights activist
based in NYC, was invited by
Binghamton Political Initiative to Binghamton University to deliver a
lecture on Thursday, April 23rd, about his opposition to death penalty
and the U.S. (in)justice system. Just days before this event, his
parole officer imposed harsh and unwarranted restrictions
on his freedom to travel. Their authoritarian tactics toward Mr.
Hayes are reflective of a larger parole system, which places greater
emphasis on heavy-handed policing and surveillance over vital re-entry
programs, leading to higher rates of police abuse and
re-incarceration. In an online petition, BPI and the undersigned demand full civil rights for Lawrence Hayes, including but not limited to his freedom of speech and travel, and a major reform of the parole system in general. We're asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. We care deeply concerned about this cause, and hope you will support our efforts. To sign the petition, click here. ACTIVITIES DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/2009 Food and Sustainability Campaign - You are what you eat This semester BPI has focused on issues of food on campus. We have organized educational events on problematic aspects of the main food providers on our campus (Coca Cola and Sodhexo) and alternative ways to a healthy and sustainable way of living and eating in our communities. We have also engaged in activities for raising awareness on campus amongst students, faculty, and other university employees. It is the goal of this campaign to link issues of food and health to wider issues concerning social and economic justice, war, political oppression, resistance, etc. Justice for Sodexo Workers As students, faculty and staff of Binghamton University and customers of Sodexo food services, we demand a fair living wage and health insurance coverage for all employees working on this campus. The average income
for a full
time Sodexo employee at BU
is between $12,000-15,000 per year. The New York State poverty income
level (as of 9/1/08) is determined to be $13,050 annually for one
person and $19,200 for a family of two. Many of the full time employees
on this campus have families, for whom they have to buy food and
necessities. As the consumers of Sodexo products on this campus, we
find it irresponsible and neglectful of Sodexo to pay a full time
employee a wage below this acknowledged poverty level, especially when
considering its total revenue of more than 15 billion dollars in 2007.
Adequate health insurance is a necessity for all full time employees
working for any contractor on this campus.
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