Protesting the not-so-smart ALEC

THE WAVE of Republican bills attacking workers' rights--from access to safe abortions to union organizing--had to be coming from somewhere.

One of the sources for these attacks is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which has drafted legislation on a wide range of issues and claims to have passed approximately one out of five of its proposals.

One of those "proposals" was SB 1070 in Arizona--a clear attack on the immigrant community designed to provide a boon to private prison corporations.

Republicans, including Wisconsin state Rep. Robin Vos and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, have pushed laws in their respective states against collective bargaining. They are only two of many elected officials that are members of ALEC. In fact, Kasich is one of the founding members.

Kasich's membership might be why the group is holding its spring conference in Cincinnati on April 28-29. Now that their activities are coming to light, they will be met with massive resistance.

Activists will be holding public meetings, including teach-ins and a strategy session, building toward a rally at Fountain Square at noon on April 29. Grassroots movements, united student and labor activism, a rejection of the right-wing agenda, and progressive alternatives will shape the agenda.

The events are the collective efforts of student and worker activists from the Defend Ohio Campaign, International Socialist Organization, Cincinnati Coffee Party and Miami University Graduate Employees Organization, with support from several human rights and labor groups.

Groups are expected to be coming from all over the eastern United States. For more information, including schedule and housing, visit the Protest ALEC website.
Craig Johnson, Cincinnati