All posts by Dave

Build’em up NOLA….by Organizing Workers & Community!

I have never responded to articles or comments people write about post in news or online.  But, after reading the 15+ comments of a St Louis Dispatch newspaper online article on why are these mouments being moved anyway?   The out of town  St Louis, MO. reporter,  telling about “half” the true “historic” story of the (NOW Removed ) monunents …and folks responding in unison with ” liberal mayor wasting time and $$.. .”  and/ or.. “…we NEED to keep all monuments. ..get over it.  It’s history..”    well well well.
I  thought it’s time.  Here we go!
I’m so excited to start “building up New Orleans!” – jobs- wages- education crime- community police training- equal pay for women- affordable housing and celebrating our 300th anniversary as a city! Amen! I have lived in New Orleans for 30 years- and I KNOW about history and monuments.
 My son went to NYC last week and was hanging out at COLUMBUS Circle- and the statue of Christopher Columbus; the voyager- traveler- conqueror- slave owner – and white supremacist -(who was killed by his own slaves!) – New York has made the peace between Norwegians who vow that the Vikings (not Minnesota) discovered America not the fake Italian Columbus (that is beloved by folks whose name ends in a vowel) .
 
I LOVE Ulysses U.S. Grant- his tomb-( in NY) and his life–  followed Lincoln..and honored Lincoln!!  even though southerners like to change history and say he was a drunk who fell off his horse.
And as far as New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landreiu goes-I took him to court! My union has SUED the cheap ass Mayor Landrieu in civil court RIGHT NOW- FOR HIS intentional violation of our city’s living wage ordinance- where our members- city hall custodians- the descendants of slaves and poor immigrants – are being paid $7.25/hr to clean his toilets!! (they are supposed to be paid $10.57/hr-but cheap ass Mitch and his attorneys found a loophole! – Mayor Landrieu– while you flush their wages into your city coffers! – lets REALLY talk about fake ass so called Pro worker? pro union? politicians- who pander to issues- as it appeals to them!)
 
Pay the city custodians- NOW Mayor Mitch- ! –
 
For 26 years I have had to see these THREE specific monuments-
#1 battle of Liberty square- #2 Jefferson Davis and #3 General Robert E. Lee- looking down on us all- These monuments were SPECIFICALLY PUT UP BY JIM CROW WHITE RULERS- TO MAKE SURE BLACK PEOPLE IN NEW ORLEANS KNEW THEIR PLACE!
 
#1. race riot 1874 – whites killed black police officers- city officials and took over the city for 3 days- until federal troops restored order- then 3 years later after 1876 “compromise” effectively ending reconstruction–ALL Black leaders were removed- white rule was restored and the Jim Crow ‘fun” began! – the monument was erected to those BRAVE white men who fought and DIED ( while starting the race riot) . In 1975 some ordinance was passed to change the writing on the race riot statue to say “we honor ALL who DIED that day..” how touching. Then in 1990s- someone wanted to have it removed by court order- but couldn’t- so the mayor at the time- removed the monument from Canal Street in center of town– to a secluded area behind a parking lot .
 
#2 Jefferson Davis- My man! – I love history and if you know New Orleans- come one down and see our history. There is a stone monument honoring Jefferson Davis.  But the one on Jefferson Davis Parkway- as we say in New Orleans– “aint der no mo..” — but if you go on 1st street and Constance -the rich garden district–you will see a plaque outside the home- where Jefferson Davis lived for 25 years after he got out of prison for being a convicted felon (a slave!) JD committed treason – a traitor to the United States! — and on 1st street in New Orleans in his mansion- that’s where he died. The statue we removed- put there in 1901?  and was put there with White rule in mind! Right after our separate but equal laws were validated by the U.S supreme court in Plessy v Ferguson-but just so you know whose in charge.  All hail Jefferson Davis!
 
#3 Robert E Lee never set FOOT in New Orleans!! – when the civil war started as y’all know– New Orleans surrendered like France in WWII- we wanted to keep our way of life- trade merchants – culture – (creole- and all that jazz), so the Union Army was in charge.  After the war and after the Race Riot of 1874 -( after White Rule was back in place and ..after the KKK ran the show) . White New Orleans wanted to remember the “good virtues” of the southern soldier and the ultimate gentleman Robert E Lee.  But they could have made him a statesman – or a honorable retired general of BOTH the United States and Confederate Army– but NOPE! they wanted him in uniform – 100 feet tall- towering over- watching over our city.  And THEN- they decided to have lynchings in front of Lee circle whenever the time was right! — so they would lynch (mostly black men-sometimes Chinese or poor whites) – and you could mail a post card with a lynching photo to your friends and relatives- via the US postal service !
 
#4- PGT Beuregard was not included in those monuments that were despised-by so many- because PGT Beauregard- the first West Point graduate from St Bernard Louisiana! The man who renounced white supremacy after the civil war– founded the Union political party for Equality! – PGT was a hero to so many poor whites and blacks who wanted to live in peace and harmony. The only problem is –he was a traitor to the KKK and white rulers who wanted to keep Jim Crow- so much so – that he was disgraced at his death; with no military honors to speak of,— UNTIL — the same time they erected Jefferson Davis and Robert E Lee!!- so the Racists resurrected PGT Beauregard- put him BACK in a confederate uniform- on a horse -with a nasty scowl on him , as he glared down at your ass from his horse that looks like it will stomp on you– and this was placed at the FOOT of the New Orleans City Park- ( which was segregated until 1973!!) –
 
I thought it was appropriate to respond to this page and to share this with progressives and REAL pro workers folk who support Economic and social justice for ALL people— especially — the 50% of Americans who Do NOT even have $400 savings to their NAME! Pray for them lord.
Time for a CHANGE brothers and sisters!!
own a home
living wage job
quality education
quality water and healthy food
quality environment
parks green spaces
and….
affordable transportation
 $10 cable!/internet
lifeline energy rates
affordable banking rates
 $25 phone!
$75 @ month health care bill
(including dental)  $200 deductible
free college tuition
transparency in government
complete accessibility to vote
We are all in this together!!
if you want to be part of Build’em up NOLA
or Progressive Assembly
or Unions and  A Community Voice
check on!!
June 3 peoples assembly.
Justice & Beyond WILL not meet Monday for memorial day but will meet Tuesday May 30. 12 ( high )noon.
Christian Unity Baptist Church  1700 Conti / Claiborne

Social Justice Agenda

Ex offender JOB Fair. 4/21. 9-noon
Franklin Ave Baptist church

A Community. Voice‎ housing /job fair.
5401 S Claiborne Ave. 10-1pm
First Presbyterian church /2nd floor

FPCNO Program of Hope
Every Wednesday 9-1130am
Food /clothes
Housing vouchers/bus tokens
SSI/health care checkup/info
5401 S. Claiborne Avenue
fpcno.org

4/21. –
Planned Parenthood/Healthcare rally ‎to Capitol 10-2pm
Bus leaves COSTCO parking lot 7am- ‎comes back 330pm-

State Legislature Bills/ pay attntion

Public Schools returning to OPSB
Minimum wage increase
Medicaid expansion
No more 17 year olds tried as adults : 18 = adult
Medical Marijuana. Moving forward

A Community Union

Brian-.Cooper. UNITE HERE
Ben Zucker fight 4 15
Healther Larson SEIU
Beth Butler A Community Voice
Rosa Hines – exec Dir ULU Local 100
Tiger Hammond- AFL CIO
David Capasso-. How are y’all. Doing

I met a man at my church this. Morning
– MY church first presbyterian New Orleans – fpcno.org-. Feeds and clothes and prays for about 100 people every Wednesday morning- 5401 S Claiborne – – -.

As I announced the A Community Voice Housing Jobs Fair on Sat 4/23 at OUR Church ( spread the word- bring your members- and their families!!) As I was announcing the National fast food strike 4/14- (starting @ 6am- Rite Aid- Canal /broad- )

I met a union man-in church-. Getting clothes and food

Hays Hussey -61 years young- incredible man- I met this man who has moved me to finally write y’all-. Hays Hussey- who currently works ‎in a low wage job at. IrishHouse- on StCharles-.!!?!?!??
(He has a friggin job-and is low income-sounds familiar) He is. A special man- a former AfGE member- in new Orleans East dept of Agriculture– president was Terrance Johns!!-. his mom former teacher union leader-. Mississippi  Federation of Teachers / Mississippi Education Association

Give him a call- or email him- he is DOWN for union and justice- ready to organize/mobilize and be part of the future of the largest city wide union in state of Louisiana- all of us together! A Community Union!!

Hays is a union brother that puts me to shame- a low income low wage worker at. My homeless ministry- wants to organize!! Amen!! There for the grace of God go i—
‎-
I let Hays know about fight for 15‎ about Housing-about organizing-. Hays phone # is 985 789 8623 -. His email is hayszh@gmail.com

Hays Hussey- lives where? You guessed it–. At the Salvation Army!! Paying $10 a day!!! Ya got that Brian? Heather? I know Beth Butler knows about that! I know Ben gets that!! I know Rosa Hines knows that! -. How about the national Unions. United HERE- SEIU-knowing that!?!‎-.

Let’s work together -Not just for show on 4/14-. But for justice for low wage workers

Hays has been emailed cced a copy of this-.

You heard about unknown soldiers?
Unknown low wage women?
Unknown low income children?

Well- This is the Unknown low wage worker!

From the churches to the jails-.
Please exchange information with each other -and connect with all progressive union leaders.

It’s time A Community Union!

David. Capasso

Letter to Morris Reed NAACP New Orleans President

#1-. Black police officers who are members of NAACP- let’s bring that group together- you and Dr Ernest Marcelle will “chair” the group- Co moderate if you will-

#2- Legalization of Marijuana – we need to support these measures-because people are going to JAIL for a plant- OUR people- while tobacco Kills and pays for the budget!- NO new law and pending legislation sends the right message and

#3- living wages now- we caannot tolerate -7.25 for low income people OUR people- and corporations are making $$$$$$- especially fast food-

#4- recruiting back old members and white attorneys/professionals-

Legislation taxing gas and oil; tabled in a JBE strategy to rally us together 2016 –but not today

When I ‎arrived at Capitol on Monday evening 2/22/16-( my parents Arlene and Mike Capasso 57th wedding anniversary-). I was met by Rep. Carter- country lawyer from Amite/St Helena (JBE. Country! ) +- advocating for 2 of the most populist -right on bills to tax oil and natural gas
. (Very appropriately-and fairly I might add) -. But the bills were not called to floor for a vote

I got chills listening to Rep. Robbie Carter- hearing about the TRUTH about Oil companies in Louisiana (and Rep,. Carter’s bills-would only tax Foreign oil!! Right on Robby!)

That Exxon and BP alone- use 9 million- 9 MILLION gallons of Water a DAY from Baton Rouge special water distillery- that flows from Baton Rouge River- (don’t know why they don’t tale it from the Mississippi river.?‎)-. But OIL DEPENDS on public water for their corporation to RUN!!!

But John Bel-decided NOT to introduce Rep. Carter’s. Bills to the floor! Maybe he knew they would fail to get a vote-or “business unfriendly” label would be placed on the bill from. LABI and their cronies) (I saw a frggin LABI. Lobbyist in the hall -with his friggin LABI pin on his lapel- ‎practically BRAGGING about his credientials- to NOT. ALLOW for taxation revenue to help our state? -and NOT ALLOW a vote on raising minimum wage? — it took everything had not to curse him out in the Way and Means committe. Hearing- (in the lobby!!) –

I spoke to Walter Leger-my great representative- a populist who is ready to Rumble on JBE’s team- and hey- Walt says-“he would have voted for Robby Carters bills- but they were not brought up– Leger says “were going to bring it up next year- not this year‎..”

The business utility tax-“not business friendly” -so it failed- Leger says It could pass next year- (every. Southern state taxes business. Utility bills-this is friggin outrageous!! )
. So we tax cigarettes. 22 cents- – still not enough-. But Walt got it through-. And. Walt understands this is a chess match-and give Abramson his “room” to leverage and make deals- to show the state GOP that a New Orleans Repubican can be “trusted” not to cave in to “raising revenue “- just yet—”

But it was telling that populism and community activism is getting through to the State legislators-

And– Republican JPSO Sheriff Newell Normand is ready to Kick Some GOP ass!! He trashed Jindal-“8 years. We have been drinking the elixir..” and Normand laid waste to any “cowards” who ‎Refuse to acknowledge -taxes pay for good government!!! – Man-. Can you see us organize a coalition of. Dems ,GOP and Independants that stand with Newell Normand -Walter Leger and JBE!! Right on! And -. Danny Martiny will be with us! iAnd we have ourselves a force ready to kick some ass against the Vitters/ LABI – and sorry to say- John Kennedy . Robert Mann TP editorial 2/21- is right on! You cannot CUT. your way out of jindals nightmare Mr Kennedy! Mr Treasury Secretary- please start working for people instead of bowing to Vitter-looking for a US Senate seat-. Hey -if Newell Normand keeps fighting for public employees taxation -.would I be saying –Senator Normand?

Solidarity for Louisianan working families!

And–
Please look at Bill Quiglys piece on Public defenders- fantastic-

David Capasso ‎
First Presbyterian Church NO ( fpcno.org)
Progressive Democrats
NAACP‎ Labor/Religious Commitees
A Community Voice
United Labor Unions
Loyola Law Alumni
Sierra Club
ACLU
Justice & Beyond

Hillary- taking on Gun Lobby; a Movement has started : it will end with 2 words- “Madame President”

I just watched Hillary in South Carolina with mothers of men slain by Police- – with former Congressman Gifford (who was shot in the head in AZ) – and you want to talk about an ACORN moment??- “women warriors ” they call themselves “Mothers of the Movement”-. It was like 1980 in Little Rock Arkansas ‎ or Philadelphia PA!

In a Baptist Church in ‎South Carolina—
Not a dry eye in the House!!!

Bernie may have wanted to say he started the
” Movement”‎- but his campaign is from Occupy! -essentially started with the “People’s Plaform” “movement” from 1978 In Memphis TN- @- ACORN’s National Convention- ; also progressive AFL CIO Labor /social Justice issues in the 90s. With John Sweeney – that we have been saying since NAFTA /CAFTA – 24 years ago- –

But Hillary— and these Mothers -Plus the Giffords (who are gun owners-2nd amendment) -. As I said. Not a dry eye in the House including Hillary!

– “Can’t touch this”

Wow! What an awesome thing 2 Democratic Presidential candidates- confronting Corporate Establishment Power with People Power ‎!

The People United Shall Never be Defeated!

DC

Oil and gas tax bills HB 67, HB 68, HB 69

 Brad Ott – 

Cc Harry Lowenbrg. Gulf Restoration Network

        Chris Galliano

        Walter Leger III

         Marshall Hevron 

        Bradley Egenberg

         Jacque Morial 

        Mike Stagg

        Vincent Booth

         Pat Bryant . Justice and Beyond 

         Dr Dwight Webster CUBC. Justice & Beyond

        Darryl Malik Sierra Club

        Morris Reed NAACP

I Saw these bills !!  Thanks for passing it on-. I guess I’m headed to B R Monday!!  I was JUST about to get in my car head to B R on Saturday- thinking -these legislatures are hard core- working hard for the state on the weekends!- Then I saw- the adjournment until Monday- – and I can seriously understand that- having 2 soccer games to watch myself at Carrolton fields- (amidst the backdrop of our Boosters talking over! -seriously  I’m willing to help mediate)  –

I commend many in the legislature working 12 hour shifts dealing With the ABSOLUTE Mess of Bobby Jindal!! 

My Representative -my man, Walter Leger introducing over 12 bills-  very progressive stuff-. Give m HELL Walt! -. And let’s move on these Oil and gas bills- and INCLUDE a gas tax- if it’s not already been mentioned! – 

It seems too late a notice to request that we move Justice and Beyond. Coaltion  Monday evening meeting TO Baton Rouge and the Session —we would be a force-. for this IMPORTANT special session- Monday- but hopefully  will pass it on!- and get a few to come – God Willing- it 

Monday 2/22-. (My parents wedding anniversary)  5pm- what a bad time- for so many to get to B R — but Hey- with these bills— it’s could be the right time!! ‎-.

Green Army-

 Daryl Malik- 

Harry Lowneburg –

 Baton Rouge! ‎ Monday 

Let’s check in! Brad- 

I have a colleague /friend-. Navy Veteran computer wiz- – Chris Galliano he shares space in my office (650 Poyrdras Suite #2525 NO LA 70130- 504 229 5700)  – Chris  has devised an electronic Medical record system that can easily and with better ” language tha is currently used (will $$millions in savings-immediately)  can connect all hospitals- VA /Military/public and private   ‎hospitals-and he’s ready to offer it to Louisiana ‘s public hopsitals-and John Bel- as a pilot project-. I would love to get your take on it– Chris may join me in Baton Rouge-! The savings in Medical Record retrival, paperwork, delays,+ I’ll let Chris Tell you long term-. But. THESE are the ideas of the 21st century-on RUNNING Government -efficiently and correctly for the people BEFORE Profit!  Chris’. Grandfather Dr Galliano, was President of Nichols St. University- and an amazing figure in Louisiana politics – Looking forward to Having Chris Galliano Meet with Cedirc Richmond. Walt Leger and Marshall Hevron as well John Bel

Thanks for listening Brad! 

Baton Rouge– Monday. 5pm 

Givem HELL. John Bel !! 

David Capasso

Louisiana Democrat

A Community Voice

AFL CIO

United Labor Unions

Deacon First Presbyterian Church of NO fpcno.org

Green Army

Justice and Beyond

NAACP/Labor Religious Committee

504 250 4246 

Davidcapasso.attorney@yahoo.com

Www.davidcapasso.com

650 Poydras ST #2525 NOLA 70130

It’s Time to Put Sensible Tax on Gasoline Tax the Oil companies – NOT a tax on People!

TO: Walter Leger Louisiana State Representative
Lead Advocate for Living Wages ‎and Progressive Democrats‎

‎Cc: ‎
Gov. ‎John Bel Edwards

Susan Guidry My city councilwoman! ‎

Ernest Green Community activist businessman

Dr Joseph Bouie. State Rep/ Professor

Wesley Bishop-. State House

Dwight Jarrett City of NO / NO East‎-. Workers rights

Ike Spears . Attorney brilliant

John fuller- freedom fighter‎

Marshal Hevron. Atty / VFW leader LA DSCC ‎

Cedric Richmond‎. – #1 congressman in US (Steve Cohen from Memphis is pretty cool as well- Brother Cedric would agree)

Harry Lowenburg. Gulf Restoration Network

Tiger Hammond. GNO AFL CIO
Louis Reine. AFL CIO‎

Beth Butler. A Community Voice ‎

James Carvile- Ragin Cajun

Ronald Coleman OPDEC ‎

Morris Reed President NO NAACP

Joe Rome . Civil Rights attorney‎

Mike Stagg. Organizer/filmaker. Sharp strategist ‎

Jacques Morial‎ – consultant

Ed Parker. AFSCME

Dave Negretto. Teamsters Louisiana Local 270
Michael Filler. IBT‎
Sam Morris ‎ Atty IBT

Janet Hayes -mental health / activist‎
Rev Jim Vanderweghe ‎Pastor UnitarianChurch

Chris Galliano. Navy Veteran / Electonic ‎
Bradley Egenberg -Attorney for Justice

Cecil Tebo‎ Mental Health Expert- NOPD

L T Gen. Russell Honore (NO Introduction necessary
and the ‎Green Army ‎

Justice and Beyond‎
Gillespie Community Breakfast / Uniterian church‎
Brad Ott- community Leader / ‎
Dr Susan Weishar Loyola/ Jesuits ‎
Dr Christine Day. UNO‎

‎‎
Brother Walt:


Today 2/11- On My birthday. (the day in 1991- when Nelson Mandela was released from Prison-) ;‎. I thought of the State of Louisiana

25 days before the Louisiana Presidential Primary – ;

while reading autobiography of Ben Franklin-

as well as EJ Dionne\\\\’s new book \\\\’Why the Right went wrong\\\\’ ;

– Ive started writing this proposal regarding the budget \\\\’crisis\\\\’ – co opted by conservatives who -. After seeing the Front Page on my birthday; NO Advocate-\\\\’Ugly budget outlook grows Grimmer\\..\\’. ‎

and all this gloom and doom on cuts in everything from higher education to.?

Public employees raises? ‎

The working families of Louisiana:

State troopers
Teachers
Sewage Water Board
Sanitiation
Parole officers
Prison Guards
Probation
Mental health Care ‎
Public Defenders
First Responders‎


HELL NO!! ‎

Givem H E L L. John Bel!!

It\\\’s Time to Put Sensible Tax on Gasoline
Tax the Oil companies – NOT a tax on People!-


– $1.45 a GALLON!!!!‎ Carrolton -acorss from the post office -. Hey Postal employees- they are doing WELL -thanks to a Democratic congress-and a business approach to self funding- now if they can get that huge $5 billion weight off their head -to fund the pension first! But have you noticed-they bypassed the GOP cuts on Saturday- and are delivering even on Sunday!! – right on-!
(Many postal employees are veterens- Marshall Hevron and Postal Union employees can speak to that!) ‎

Let\\’s not lose this momentum!! ‎The election was about hard choices to NOT Gut our public institutions without all measures exhausted

Living wages win!
Public employees matter
Police Fire – SWB. Public defenders Yes! Even public defenders! -‎

raise for public employees-
Talk to – probation officers- (add 300+) sheriff\\\\’s deputies (add 600+) state troopers (we need to add 1000+ train them on statewide community policing ) –

Light rail
Infrastructure

John Bel can brilliantly say- \\\\’I\\\\’m not endorsing ANY Democrat- Good Luck Hillary and Bernie- whoever gets the nomoination- you got my vote-. But now–
Help me with my budget!
Tax Oil companies

John Bell will become a national Hero!
You hear me Walt!‎

JOY to Friends of NAACP ; A Community Voice and Justice & Beyond : What a Blessing to end the year! – Good bye to Jindal – Vitter- and the Confederate Monuments- as they GO DOWN! Living wages/DBE going up! And -we can all say—–Give’m HELL John Bel!!

Ya see that statue-
That\’s General E Lee
They should knock\’em on his ass
If you ask me
Ya see- I ain\’t no Grey Coat
As you can see
I don\’t suffer for fools
And this AINT DIXIE!
Mike West \’Dixie\’ 1994 ‎


Happy Happy Joy Joy! – God is Great! . Alla Akba!
Ho HO HO! Happy Kwanza -Happy Hannukah Jesus- the reason for the season — Ya Can\’t scare me I\’m stickin with the union! – and we Refuse to Hate!

I am bummed that I missed the NAACP and. A Community Voice Christmas Parties -this evening – – but my kids last minute home work- shopping and end of school assignments got the best of me. So I thought I’d write this from the heart.

I am writing this letter to NAACP members -as well my brothers and sisters who I am humbly asking. Y’all to join the NAACP in 2016: as community organizers /union leaders‎, environmental activists- health care /social justice leaders; we are united!

At the end of 2015 -we have achieved so much- yet we know how much hard work I ahead. I asked my brother Brad Ott- if he was excited about John Bel Edwards victory- he was a bit down when he thought about the hard work ahead. ‎

Living ‎Wages for all City of New Orleans / Contracted Employees $10.55/hr plus 6 six paid personal days

DBE enacted and enforced ! If %35 of all City contracts will now go to disadvantaged local workers- -now we have a path to transforming people\’s lives to a path for full employment with dignity and respect.