Atlanta Progressive News

(APN) ATLANTA — “It’s a town hall meeting, but the town isn’t invited!” Terence Courtney, director of Atlanta Jobs with Justice, said. “They’re running from us. We want a [true] public process.” At first, it seemed the public would get a truly public forum to discuss the Grady Health System crisis, where all sides–policymakers, pro-business elite, and anti-privatization advocates–could convene […]

(APN) ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved $15 million for the Grady Health System on Wednesday, September 05, 2007, but it did not happen easily, or without strings attached. The debate among Commissioners was a tempest, featuring angry speeches, passionate opposition, and embarrassing tirades. The debate came hours into the meeting, and itself lasted well over an […]

(APN) ATLANTA — The Grady Coalition hosted “The People’s Forum” on Tuesday, September 04, 2007, to rally concerned citizens and Grady Health System employees against plans to privatize the system and to raise awareness of the need for additional funding. Rev. Timothy McDonald, of First Iconium Baptist Church and a member of the Grady Coalition, said The People’s Forum was […]

(APN) ATLANTA — The under-funding crisis facing Grady Hospital has led some politicians in Atlanta to call for privatization of this public hospital which provides a large portion of Georgia’s indigent care. A report by the Greater Grady Task Force recommends turning over management to a private, nonprofit corporation in order to attract funding from banks, the State of Georgia, […]

(APN) ATLANTA — A three-judge panel at the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta heard oral arguments Monday relating to the case of the Cuban Five. This is the third time in two years the Eleventh Circuit has heard appeals in the case of Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, and Rene Gonzalez, who are serving a […]

  (APN) ATLANTA — Lawyers, jurists and others from across the United States, Latin America, and Europe descended on Atlanta, Georgia, for a reception held Sunday, August 19, 2007, at the Candler Building downtown, to update the public on the legal battle being fought on behalf of the “Cuban Five.” In advance of court appearances tomorrow, Monday, August 20, 2007, […]

(APN) ATLANTA — The US House Financial Services Committee approved on July 31, 2007, HR 2895, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007, with broad bipartisan support. It “will provide dedicated sources of funding for the production, preservation, and rehabilitation of 1.5 million affordable homes in 10 years,” according to a press release obtained by Atlanta Progressive News. […]

(APN) ATLANTA — As promised, US Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) and US Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) have introduced matching censure resolutions this week in the Senate and House, respectively, concerning misconduct leading up to and during the US invasion of Iraq, as well as disregard for the rule of law. The Democratic lawmakers introduced the resolutions in order to hold […]

(APN) ATLANTA — Concerned activists held a press conference at the State Capitol, Tuesday, August 07, 2007, to update the public on developments in the Troy Davis death row case, and to present witnesses regarding overall problems with the death penalty in this country. Davis, who had faced a July 17, 2007, execution for the murder of Officer Mark McPhail […]

“VoterGA Lawsuit: Background” Section includes material from APN archives, with prior reporting by Kristina Cates, Matthew Cardinale, and Sarah Epting. (APN) ATLANTA — Members of VoterGA held a press conference on August 01, 2007, at the Georgia Capitol, to update the public on a pending seven-count lawsuit filed one year ago in Fulton County Superior Court over Georgia’s current electronic […]

(APN) ATLANTA — Two Democratic lawmakers will introduce censure resolutions next week concerning President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other Bush Administration officials over the US Invasion of Iraq and other abuses of executive power, Atlanta Progressive News has learned. US Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) announced he will introduce two censure resolutions in the US House, which will serve as […]

(APN) ATLANTA — The Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) briefed the Atlanta City Council Thursday on its plans to demolish all public housing in Atlanta and issue vouchers to families, in addition to its new work requirements. AHA calls these the Quality of Life Initiative and Catalyst Program. The Community Development and Human Resources (CDHR) Committee invited AHA Director Renee Glover, […]

  (APN) ATLANTA — Supporters of death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis held a press conference Tuesday at the “Sloppy” Floyd Administration Building where the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles is headquartered. Representatives from Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (GCPA), the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia (ACLU), the US […]

(APN) SAVANNAH — In nine days, on July 17, 2007, Georgia may execute an innocent man, after both State and Federal Courts refused to hear the recanted testimony of 7 out of 9 witnesses in his case, Atlanta Progressive News has learned. Is Davis innocent? Is he guilty? We may never know, and that’s the problem. The Supreme Court of […]

(APN) ATLANTA — Saturday, June 30, 2007, marked the fourth and final full day of events at the first US Social Forum here. APN spoke with USSF participants working tents and tables in and around the Atlanta Civic Center and at Renaissance Park. Workers for the Dennis Kucinich 2008 Presidential Campaign had a prominently displayed sign and table set up […]