Category Archives: Abolition Of Work

by Kojuan Miles

I am a reformed gang member from South Central Lanes. I am now practicing Islam, which translates to mean submission, obedience and peace. Being incarcerated right now, I am in a state of submission and in order to retain peace I must be obedient.

Kojuan Miles at age 20 seven years ago was playing football in Tacoma, Washington.

I grew up in Los Angeles, where there is a certain intensity applied to gangbanging that stems from tribal warfare, and through this unruly violence there is still solidarity that unites the worst of adversaries in the closest of compounds to fight for equality for our known or unknown brothers. As was once said to me by a fellow Muslim brother when I embraced Islam, If you can take that same intensity that was applied to gangbanging and apply it to Islam, you will become a great Muslim.

Well, its the same for this fight we have on our hands induced by this modern day slavery in Texas. NOW, people, is the time to break these chains.

As spoken by my brother Keith Malik Washington in the March 2016 Bay View: We cannot do what others have done because we have not reached the level of solidarity and political development prisoners in other states such as California have reached. But like Sam Cooke once sang, A Change Gon Come, and the time for change is now.

To create this mentality of solidarity, we have to all come together and become one like the bricks in the wall. And in order to come together, we as a people who are aware must spread the word to the unaware and awaken society on whats taking place in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Let not the fight begin only in Texas, but let it extend as far as this message of truth can reach. Because loved ones afar are still affected as well. Take me, for example. I am currently incarcerated in the state of Texas, but I have no family in Texas; everyone is back in California. Being trapped here causes stress on my family because Texas keeps denying my parole for reasons unrelated to what I was charged for.

At the same time, they keep telling me Im getting paid for work time and good time, but yet I keep getting set-off after set-off. It seems almost impossible to get out of Texas and back home to my mother, who is very ill from diabetes. Im pretty sure that Im not the only one who has come from another state and been bound by this modern day slavery.

So let this be the beginning of a battle that extends as far and wide as possible so this fight wont be just for us in Texas but in other states if any are affected by these same circumstances. So lets spread the word and awaken awareness because a closed mouth doesnt get heard.

Amerika must know that slavery has not yet been abolished. One can still maintain peace, submit and be obedient as a Muslim, but if given a righteous cause, one can still fight. So we the people must recognize this cause and fight for whats right.

To my Texas brothers, to my Texas sisters, to my Caucasian brothers, to my Latino brothers, to my brothers of affiliation, we as a whole are being affected by this centuries old plague of bondage. So lets not look at it as something only the Muslim or the Blackman is going through but something we as a people are going through one love!

These are the photos Kojuan is referring to, this one taken in 1975 at the Cummins Prison Farm in Texas. Photo courtesy The Marshall Project

Tell a family member; tell a friend. Lets start aiming at the media to shed light into the darkness. Lets start blogging about it. Lets create discussions about this in political environments through the internet. Lets email people of great importance who will hear this condition that we prisoners in Texas prisons live in and will make a change to end slavery in Texas once and for all.

In the Bay View March 2016 issue, there were pictures from 1975 and 1978 of inmates in Texas being shouted orders to work by a gunman on a horse work that no one can actually prove we are being compensated for. How different is that from when my ancestors used to pick cotton over 200 years ago? Not much. Aint no difference between those 1970s pictures and what goes on today.

Generally speaking, we just dont have pictures of today. Same cowboy boots, same spurs, same Confederate gray uniforms, same cowboy hats, same pistol and shotgun, same Bossman shouting orders on a horse to this day.

Were not asking for a lot just to be recognized for our hard work through compensation. Every man should be paid for his hard work and effort and not be told he is getting paid so TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) can just sound and look good to the public.

Both parties us prisoners in Texas and TDCJ know that no one is getting paid and no one is doing any paying. If a legitimate and professional analyst were to look into this so called system of payment for our work time and good time, he or she would find this system to be fraudulent. This is what is keeping us from going home to our loved ones.

This photo was taken in 1978 at the Ellis Unit in Texas. Photo courtesy The Marshall Project

Its a franchise for modern day slavery. If they can keep us bound in chains, then they can continue to make money off of us; if they let us go, then they lose profits and proceeds. This is systemic bondage built on slavery and Confederate principles.

Through these words, I hope that same intensity that came from my days of rampant gangbanging can radiate an energy in you that signifies a calling for solidarity. Thats a word often used by my brother Keith Malik Washington in his article on the abolition of prison slavery in Texas in the March 2016 issue.

Taking a stand starts with us and we can build a mass movement if we can stand together. So, people, hear me out because this is far, far more than just an outcry. Let this instead be the beginning of a struggle that does not begin with me but it begins with us. Power to the people.

Send our brother some love and light: Kojuan Miles, 1912338, Coffield Unit, 2661 FM 2054, Tennessee Colony TX 75884.

More here:

Message from the youth: Abolish slavery - San Francisco Bay View

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might just replace at his pleasure the work force running the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Malacaang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President merely wants to vent his frustrations over the CHRs apparent biases, since abolishing the commission cannot be done.

The President is simply expressing his frustration regarding the apparent biases of the commission Hes actually expressing his frustrations regarding the CHR. However, it is a Constitutional commission and it cannot be abolished by mere legislation, Abella told reporters.

The chairperson and his members however serve at the pleasure of the President. Technically, they may be replaced at his pleasure, he added.

Abellas statement came after Duterte warned on the sidelines of his second State of the Nation Address on Monday that he might abolish the CHR for being one-sided in its investigations.

The President said he would not allow the commission to probe the police and military in its operations launched in war-torn Marawi City, stressing that they were merely doing their job in good faith.

When the time comes, the CHR, its office here, you are better abolished. I will not allow my men to go there to be investigated. Remember this Human Rights commission, you address your request through me because the armed forces is under me and the police is under me. So if you question them for investigation, you have to go first to me, Duterte said.

Do not make it a one-sided affair. I will not allow it. As President, I will not allow it. We are equal. Justice for all, he added.

Responding to Dutertes threat, the CHR said the 1987 Constitution has to be amended first before the Chief Executive can abolish the commission.

CHR chairperson Chito Gascon also maintained that the commission, serving as watchdog of the government, is just fulfilling its mandate to investigate all forms of human rights involving civil and political rights in the country. (SunStar Philippines)

Continued here:

Palace: No CHR abolition, just possible replacement of personnel | SunStar - Sun.Star

A 24-year-old woman named Claudia smoked a cigarette while defiantly staring into the camera. She was not wearing a bra or a top, but she did not shy away from the lens. Instead, she shared her story.

Claudia was raped by her stepfather starting at the age of 6 and continuing until she became a teenager. Her mother kicked her out of the house when she found out about the abuse. Claudia turned to heroin for relief and sex for money.

You can see the intensity in her eyes. I had never seen something like that, said artist Ada Luisa Trillo, whose exhibit "How Did I Get Here?" is currently on display at the Twenty-Two gallery in Center City now through Aug. 6.

Claudia was just one of several dozen sex workers photographed in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, by Philadelphia-based Trillo over the course of several years.

The mother of two didnt set out to document the plight of sex workers in Mexico when this project first started. Initially, Trillo hoped to focus on immigration after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump began calling for a border wall and referring to undocumented immigrants as "rapists" and criminals, she said.

Trillo wanted to humanize the people of Mexico, but realized photographing border crossers would be difficult in the dark. A local social worker had another idea: Visit the brothels.

At first, she resisted.

"I was expecting cute little girls with glittering skirts," Trillo said. "I was not expecting this pain."

That anguish is the real subject of her work, Trillo said.

"Its a peaceful way of protesting," she explained. "My power is my art."

'How Did I Get Here' Exhibit Tells the Story of Trafficking

Trillo was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Juarez, a degraded border city riddled with crime, poverty and narcotrafficking. It is also home to countless brothels. Many of the women photographed by Trillo exist at the intersection of drugs and prostitution they have addictions to heroin, crack and other drugs, and some were sold or otherwise forced into sex work by parents or lovers.

Many died before Trillos exhibit debuted.

"Only one of the girls was from Juarez," Trillo said. "Theyre trying to cross the U.S. border and they end up there. They might get trafficked. They might get hungry, but they end up at the brothels at a very young age."

Trillo spent approximately 15 minutes with each subject, roughly the same amount of time allotted to a paying customer. She also gave them cash in exchange for a little bit of candor.

Alexis was 20 years old and suffering from a heroin and crack cocaine addiction. She had three children who lived with her in various brothels. Despite Alexis tale, Trillo said she didnt pity her in the same way she pitied the others. Unlike her colleagues, Alexis stole from drunken clients.

Have you ever gotten caught? Trillo asked her.

Yes. I just hit them over the head with a cellular phone, Alexis replied.

I find that kind of amusing, Trillo said. Shes this tiny little thing.

And there was Bonita, who smoked crack cocaine during her conversation with Trillo. Nervous with a lighter skin tone than the other women, Bonita was frequently the subject of gossip. Everyone assumed she had been kidnapped or trafficked into sex work. Her skin color was too fair for that part of Mexico, Trillo said.

Bonita cried most of the time they talked.

She had a young son, and an expensive addiction habit that led to her selling drugs in addition to her body. Eventually, she consumed her entire supply and was killed for it. Bonitas body was found in the outskirts of the city.

It made me furious, Trillo said. I could see how scared she was. I could see how much she was suffering. Hers was more than what I had seen at the brothels.

With her exhibit now open to the public, Trillo has vowed to donate all proceeds from sales of her work to two charitable organizations: Coalition Against Trafficking Women and the Mother Antonia Center of the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer in Mexico City, which helps sex workers throughout Mexico.

Trillos relationship with these organizations sparked outrage among local sex worker advocates who are calling for the decriminalization of prostitution. They advocate for unionization, legal protection and decriminalization of both buyers and sellers of sex. Their idea is to normalize sex work in order to protect those conducting it.

Calling for the abolition of prostitution "is problematic because its still criminalizing people in the industry," said Derek Demeri of the Red Umbrella Alliance.

"It may not be directed at the workers themselves, but its criminalizing all the safety nets they create if they cant pay rent through sex work. Their children can still be taken away from them."

But Taina Bien-Aime, executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking Women (CATW), said the problem then becomes tolerating demand for an industry that is inherently exploitative. Instead, CATW advocates for the so-called Swedish model, which decriminalized prostitution for sex workers but penalized people seeking their services. This model allows current and former workers to seek resources and find help without fear of being arrested.

"Opponents [of this model] think everything should be decriminalized, including brothels, pimps, massage parlours," she said.

"The question then becomes 'How can you decriminalize exploiters when you want to protect the exploited?'"

Demeri, who was among a small group of demonstrators outside the Twenty-Two gallery, said sex workers would be better served if they could make their own decisions without fear of legal repercussions.

When we decriminalize and advocate for the rights of everyone in the industry, were helping everyone and were destigmatizing.

Local sex worker Casey, who asked that her last name not be used, also called for the decriminalization of prostitution. She would feel safer knowing she can contact police if a client got violent.

"I enjoy doing what I do," she said. "No one made the decision for me."

Casey turned to sex work after an abusive relationship and losing her job, she said. She is also a member of Project Safe, which advocates for sex workers in Philadelphia and beyond. The loss of agency for those in the industry creates a volatile environment in which sex workers are scared to come forward when they are victims of crimes, she said.

"Ultimately women need to stick together," she said. "Its a scary world out there."

Published at 6:01 PM EDT on Jul 26, 2017 | Updated at 9:48 PM EDT on Jul 26, 2017

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'How Did I Get Here?': Philadelphia Artist Chronicles Secret Lives of Sex Workers - NBC 10 Philadelphia

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Click for gallery. PA anti-austerity demo 1.7.17, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)

Jeremy Corbyn's election pledge to abolish tuition fees, with the bold promise that this would be fast-tracked to come into effect from September, was one of the most attractive and popular offers in Labour's manifesto.

Combined with other socialist policies including a 10 an hour minimum wage, nationalisation and an end to austerity cuts, it was a major factor in generating an enthusiastic surge in support for Corbyn. Almost two-thirds of voting 18-25 year olds are thought to have backed him.

This should come as little surprise, especially when you consider the staggering debt levels of graduates - last year, 44,000 on average. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often end their courses owing as much as 60,000 for a three-year degree.

To make matters worse, interest rates are set to increase to 6.1% from September. This means the (already huge) sums owed will quickly escalate. With falling wages and increasing levels of insecure and low-paid work among graduates, this all adds up to a lifelong debt burden. Outstanding student debt in the UK has now reached over 100 billion in total.

It was therefore very warmly received when, during an interview in the lead up to the election, Corbyn hinted that, as well as abolishing fees, he might support writing off existing student debt.

Unfortunately, it appears that Corbyn is not prepared to commit to this. On the Andrew Marr show he said that, at the time of his pre-election comments, he had not known the full 'costings' for such a policy and was therefore unable to make such a commitment.

In an example of truly breath-taking hypocrisy, the Tories have seized on this as an opportunity to attack Corbyn for 'lying' and to repeat their refrain that Corbyn's policies are unaffordable. Almost like a pincer movement, the Tory attacks have been combined with the renewed attempts from Labour's right at undermining him.

The Blairites are also opponents of Corbyn on the question of free education. Indeed only recently at a Progress conference, Blairite MP Wes Streeting admitted that, far from wanting to wipe out student debt, he actually opposed free education altogether!

But Corbyn makes a mistake by agreeing to the terms of debate as set out by the capitalist establishment on the question of 'costings'. The reality is there is enormous wealth in society - far more than enough to eliminate student debt many times over.

During the banking crisis over 850 billion (and billions more in 'quantitative easing') was found in order to save capitalism from itself. Bailouts are acceptable for super-rich banksters - but for working class people struggling to pay back extortionate tuition fees they are 'simply unaffordable'.

Corbyn should boldly call for the abolition of student debt. As a first idea for how to fund it - how about nationalising the banking system we bailed out, with compensation to shareholders only on the basis of proven need? Their huge profits could then be used for the benefit of society.

With the government on the ropes Corbyn must go on the offensive, taking on both the right in his own party and the Tory government, and putting forward the kind of socialist programme necessary to transform society in the interests of the 99%.

Originally posted here:

Abolish tuition fees and student debt! - Socialist Party

Rahul Bose Vidya Balan team up support abolition of child sexual abuse

At a time when cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) is increasing with each passing day, actor Rahul Bose has taken action against it. Along with Vidya Balan, the Shaurya actor has come to support the eradication of child sexual abuse (CSA) as Rahul launched "HEAL: NGO against child sexual abuse".

Talking about the initiative on Tuesday evening, Rahul said: "This is one of the causes that we do not want to talk much about but it is a very sensitive issue that needs to be addressed. And you would be surprised to know that our country is one of the largely affected countries. But what is more surprising is this is one of the issues that exist in European countries as well, so it has nothing to do with socio-economic background; it happens everywhere in the world."

The initiative will be followed by an online campaign which will be supported by many celebrities of Bollywood including Karan Johar, Kalki Koechlin, Shabana Azmi, among others.

"Apart from conducting workshops in various schools and train people to council and help victims of abuse, we have made four ad films for our digital campaign which will be going on social media supported by many collogues from our fraternity. People like Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi, Atul Kasbekar, Vidya Balan, Kalki Koechlin, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sashi Tharoor, Anil Kumble among others will be part of the social media campaign," the actor added.

"Being a student of sociology I am aware of child sexual abuse. I always wanted to avoid knowing about the reality as it's heartbreaking. But when Rahul told me about HEAL, I said I would be more than happy to do any kind of contribution to raise funds or anything to create awareness for the cause," Vidya said.

The HEAL Foundation has so far, trained many individuals in schools and supported around 60 survivors of CSA. In near future, the NGO wants to expand their work and reach out to more schools, children and victims to help, train and create awareness.

(With IANS Inputs)

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Rahul Bose, Vidya Balan team up to support abolition of child sexual abuse - India TV

The cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) in April-May stood at $10.02 billion compared with $8.12 billion in the corresponding period last year. This translated into an increase of 23 per cent in the first two months of the current fiscal, according to the information shared in a Lok Sabha reply by commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman. When the NDA government assumed power in 2014, India's FDI flows were around $36 billion and since then it has been increasing. The total FDI inflows in financial year 2016/17 stood at $60 billion, increasing 8 per cent from 2015/16.

Some of key reforms initiatives proved instrumental for their growth. FDI got a big boost when their limits were enhanced in critical sectors like insurance and defence. This was instrumental in foreign investors committing more money for their Indian operations. Except for a small negative list, most sectors are open for 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route. According to a recent note by Angel Broking, "The government was instrumental in removing most of the products from the approval list to the automatic approval list, which made the entire task of foreign investors much easier." In the last Union Budget, the government has also scrapped the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). After the abolition of FIPB the work of monitoring the compliance with conditions under the FDI approvals, including the past cases approved by erstwhile FIPB, has been assigned to the concerned administrative ministries or departments.

With easing of FDI norms and an improvement in the "Ease of Doing Business" in India, we could see FDI growing consistently and that would ensure that the gap with FPI is maintained, the blog adds.

Link:

PM Modi's policies boost FDI - Business Today

Throughout American history, religion has played a significant role in promoting social reform. From the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century to the civil rights movement of the 20th century, religious leaders have championed progressive political causes.

This legacy is evident today in the group called religious progressives, or the religious left.

The social gospel movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as I have explored in my research, has had a particularly significant impact on the development of the religious left.

What is the social gospel movement and why does it matter today?

What was the social gospel?

The social gospels origins are often traced to the rise of late 19th-century urban industrialization, immediately following the Civil War. Largely, but not exclusively, rooted in Protestant churches, the social gospel emphasized how Jesus ethical teachings could remedy the problems caused by Gilded Age capitalism.

Movement leaders took Jesus message love thy neighbor into pulpits, published books and lectured across the country. Other leaders, mostly women, ran settlement houses designed to alleviate the sufferings of immigrants living in cities like Boston, New York and Chicago. Their mission was to draw attention to the problems of poverty and inequality especially in Americas growing cities.

Charles Sheldon, a minister in the city of Topeka, Kansas, explained the idea behind the social gospel in his 1897 novel In His Steps. To be a Christian, he argued, one needed to walk in Jesuss footsteps.

The books slogan, What would Jesus do? became a central theme of the social gospel movement which also became tied to a belief in what Ohio minister Washington Gladden called social salvation. This concept emphasized that religions fundamental purpose was to create systemic changes in American political structures.

Consequently, social gospel leaders supported legislation for an eight-hour work day, the abolition of child labor and government regulation of business monopolies.

While the social gospel produced many important figures, its most influential leader was a Baptist minister, Walter Rauschenbusch.

The legacy of Walter Rauschenbusch

Rauschenbusch began his career in the 1880s as minister of an immigrant church in the Hells Kitchen section of New York. His 1907 book, Christianity and the Social Crisis asserted that religions chief purpose was to create the highest quality of life for all citizens.

Rauschenbusch linked Christianity to emerging theories of democratic socialism which, he believed, would lead to equality and a just society.

Rauschenbuschs writings had a major impact on the development of the religious left in the 20th century. After World War I, several religious leaders expanded upon his ideas to address issues of economic justice, racism and militarism.

Among them was A.J. Muste, known as the American Gandhi, who helped popularize the tactics of nonviolent direct action. His example inspired many mid-20th century activists, including Martin Luther King Jr.

The intellectual influences on King were extensive. However, it was Rauschenbusch who first made King aware of faith-based activism. As King wrote in 1958,

It has been my conviction ever since reading Rauschenbusch that any religion which professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the social and economic conditions that scar the soul, is a spiritually moribund religion only waiting for the day to be buried.

Social salvation and the religious left today

Kings statement highlights the importance of the social gospel concept of social salvation for todays religious left.

Although many of its primary leaders come out of liberal Protestant denominations, the religious left is not a monolithic movement. Its leaders include prominent clergy, such as the Lutheran minister Nadia Boltz-Weber as well as academics such as Cornel West. Some of the movements major figures, notably Rev. Jim Wallis, are evangelicals who identify with what is often called progressive evangelicalism.

Others come from outside of Christianity. Rabbi Michael Lerner, founder of the organization Network of Spiritual Progressives, seeks not only to promote interfaith activism but also to attract persons unaffiliated with any religious institutions.

These leaders often focus on different issues. However, they unite around the social gospel belief that religious faith must be committed to the transformation of social structures.

The Network for Spiritual Progressives mission statement, for example, affirms its desire

To build a social change movement guided by and infused with spiritual and ethical values to transform our society to one that prioritizes and promotes the well-being of the people and the planet, as well as love, justice, peace, and compassion over money, power and profit.

One of the most important voices of the religious left is North Carolina minister William Barber. Barbers organization, Repairers of the Breach, seeks to train clergy and laity from a variety of faith traditions in grassroots activism. Barbers hope is that grassroots activists will be committed to social change by rebuilding, raising up and repairing our moral infrastructure.

Other organizations associated with the religious left express similar goals. Often embracing democratic socialism, these groups engage issues of racial justice (including support for the Black Lives Matter movement), LGBT equality and the defense of religious minorities.

An attractive option?

Despite the public visibility of activists like Barber, some question whether the religious left can become a potent political force.

Sociologist James Wellman observes that often religious progressives lack the social infrastructure that creates and sustains a social movement; its leaders are spiritual entrepreneurs rather than institution builders.

Another challenge is the growing secularization of the political left. Only 30 percent of Americans who identify with the political left view religion as a positive force for social change.

At the same time, the religious lefts progressive agenda in particular, its focus on serving societys poor might be an attractive option for younger Americans who seek alternatives to the perceived dogmatism of the religious right. As an activist connected with Jim Walliss Sojourners organization noted,

I think the focus on the person of Jesus is birthing a younger generation. Their political agenda is shaped by Jesus call to feed the hungry, make sure the thirsty have clean water, make sure all have access to healthcare, transform America into a welcoming place for immigrants, fix our inequitable penal system, and end abject poverty abroad and in the forgotten corners of our urban and rural communities.

This statement not only circles back to Charles Sheldons nineteenth century question, what would Jesus do? It illustrates, I argue, the continued resiliency of the core social gospel belief in social salvation for a new generation of activists.

Can the religious left achieve the public status of the religious right? The theme of social salvation that was critical to Walter Rauschenbusch, A.J. Muste and Martin Luther King Jr. might, I believe, very well galvanize the activism of a new generation of religious progressives.

Christopher H. Evans, Professor of the History of Christianity, Boston University

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How the social gospel movement explains the roots of today's religious left - Salon

The ABC News investigative program Nightline has broadcast an in-depth look at the groundbreaking work of Seattle-area law enforcement in confronting the demand for prostitution.

The program, hosted by journalist Juju Chang, highlights the work of King County Prosecutor Valiant Richey, who is also coordinator of the local branch of the CEASE Network (Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation). CEASE was launched three years ago by Demand Abolition, and operates in a dozen cities nationwide.

The segment, broadcast nationally on Tuesday night, focuses on the sting operation staged earlier this year by Washington State law enforcement to break up the buyer review boards, where sex buyers rate and promote women who are being prostituted. This is the first such operation in which review board members are being charged with a felony for promoting, rather than just soliciting, prostitution. Prosecutors argue that these boards are creating and encouraging demand.

Most people in prostitution are exploited, so criminalizing them doesnt make a lot of sense from a moral perspective. It also just doesnt work from a criminal justice perspective, Richey said. At the same time, we understand the exploitation that is driven through sex buying is caused by the buyer. And so the buyer needs to be held accountable.

The Nightline segment shows a dramatic undercover police operation and captures rare footage of review board members talking about the kind of women they prefer to buy for sex.

Anything from a war-torn country, one man says.

Prostitution survivor turned activist Alisa Bernard, who used to work through the online review boards, said they didnt keep her safe and caused her to take more risks.

Bernard explained that a bad review could have a huge impact on business, giving the clients too much power.

I had been raped multiple times. I was held against my will at least once. I was strangled, and these were all by Review Board guys so, you know, again, your line keeps getting pushed further and further and further to get those good reviews.

Asked why he thinks he can stop the worlds oldest profession, Richie responds to Chang: I would say its the oldest oppression. The one way we can eliminate it is to help men realize that this isnt serving them either.

Alex Trouteaud, Director of Policy and Research for Demand Abolition, said, The Nightline program provides a showcase for the nationwide movement that is shifting the way we think about sex trafficking and forced prostitution. The ABC report makes clear that the way to end this abuse is by tackling the demand. No buyers, no business.

Watch the full programhere.

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Demand Abolition ABC News report highlights innovative ...

The Hindu

Patient hearing: DGP is all ears to grievances The Hindu ... attempt by retired police personnel and the families of serving personnel to protest at the Secretariat to highlight often raised grievances, including implementation of eight-hour work schedule, abolition of orderly system, filling of vacancies ... and more »

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Patient hearing: DGP is all ears to grievances - The Hindu

No less thanthreechief ministers hailing from non-BJP ruled states have firmlydemanded the abolition of the post of Governor creating ripples all around. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to face the combined anger of the chief ministers for misusing Article 356 of the Constitution and bringing duly electedstates under central rule by engineering defections.

West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, Bihar's Nitish Kumar and Tripura's Manik Sarkargave vent to their frustration of Governors acting asagents of the Centre andbeing more loyal than the King infacilitating thedismissal of state governments first in Arunachal Pradesh in December last yearand later in Uttarkhand. In both the states Congress was in power and the BJP has subsequently been highly embarrassed, thanks to the orders of thecourts.

Thecontroversy in the sensitive border state of Arunachal Pradeshhas since been nullified by a five-judge Constitutionbench of the Supreme Court restoring status-quo-ante in Itanagaralong with drawing guidelines for Governors so that they do not overstep their briefand remain confined to their duties and responsibilities in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution.

The eleventh meeting of the Inter-State Council (ISC)held after a gap of a decade in the national capital last Saturday on July 16,chief ministers including certain allies of the BJPdid not go through the routine of merelyreading their speeches and taking their seats.This time theydid not flinch from attacking the Modi government. Without mincingwords one of its ally -- the Shiromani Akali Dalchargedthe Centre with treating the states as ""beggars"".

This was contrary to the assertion madeby Modi himself setting the tone for the day long deliberations to strengthen his oft repeated pursuit of""cooperative Federalism"" and working in tandem with the states in ameliorating the lot of the poor. This was nothing short of being an eye wash.The Modi regime has not come under suchintense fire by chief ministerssince he assumed the high office on the Raisina Hill on May 26, 2014 having recorded a stunning victory in the general elections.

The SAD as asenior partner insharing power with the BJP in Punjablampooned the Modi government for reducing the states to being ""mere beggars.""Punjab's deputy chief minister and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal underlinedthe imperativeneed for ushering inwhat he described as a ""genuine Federal structure"" in this country with devolution of more powers to the states.He charged the BJP-led NDA government with ""usurping the rights and authority of the states in violation of the spirit and provisions of the Constitution.""

This is a very serious matter and Modi understands the realities of the situation on the ground. He has alsobeen at the receiving end as the chief minister of Gujarat before being catapulted to the centre as the Head of Government.Sources said this meeting might not have happened had it not been for the pressure put by the states that the crucial ISC which has remained dormant needs to be urgently summoned and reactivated.

Here again non-BJP chief ministers like Mamata Banerjeeregretted that the agenda was fixed summarily by the Centre without showing the courtesy of consulting the states. She spoke of being handicapped with the Planning Commission having been dismantled.Others joined her in urging the Centreto stopresorting to staid ploys of hiding behind the issue of internal security or some other aspect of protecting national interests for trampling on the powers of the states.

The chief ministers were agitated that the agenda of the ISC meeting primarilyconcerned only the central government and there was nothing about the repeated encroachment on thejurisdiction of thestate governments. The agenda encompassed recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-state relations, use of Aadhaar in direct benefit transfer, improving the quality of school education and internal security.

Again several non-BJPchief ministers expressed serious concern about saffronisationof education even though Modi desired that the Centre and the states should work together to provide children an enabling environment. Thenon-BJP state governments were categoric that they will support initiatives for improving the quality of education. At the same time they will not back any attempts for pushing certain kinds of ideologies and doctrines into the syllabus in the name of improving education.

On his part Nitish Kumar, who also wears the hat of being the JD (U) chief, observedthe country's existing federal democratic structure does not warrant continuance of the gubernatorial post"". If it cannot be scrapped altogether at least the Governor's discretionary powers should be curtailed and the chief minister consulted while appointing and removing Governors. A Governor must allow a chief minister a floor test before recommending his removal to the President. Mamata Banerjee concurred through and through. So did Manik Sarkar.

Another ally of the BJP, TDP chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu remarked ""invoking local emergency under Articles 355 and 356 of the Constitution tantamounts to direct infringementon the states autonomy."" Prior to the JusticePunchhi report, there was the Sarkaria Commission which had also submitted a voluminous report on Centre-State relations with far reaching recommendations. Sarkaria made valuable suggestions on the appointment of a Governors which has been gathering dust in the union Home ministry. The Punchhi report might also suffer a similar fate.

At the end it simplyboils down to anydispensation at the Centre according step motherly treatment to thestates particularly those which are ruled by opposition parties.

There is nothing new with New Delhi pressurising states in oneform or another even in making available direly neededresources in quick time especially during nationalcalamities. The question is why does it invariably need a quid-pro-quo to acquiesce to the dire requirements of a state particularly a backward one or a hill state facing a calamitous situation.

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Opposition CMs demand abolition of the post of Governor - The India Saga (blog)