http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/demand-replacement-of-mr-rios-in-pr-parade

Board of Directors
Puerto Rican Day parade Committee

We are the sons of mothers, the fathers of daughters, the brothers of sisters who deplore violence against women. We support and encourage all efforts to bring about an end to Domestic Violence and Male Violence against Women in particular. We simply cannot remain silent on this issue". We are, raising our voices in support of our sisters who have courageously challenged the Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors for selecting Osvaldo Rios as International Padrino of the 2010 Puerto Rican Day Parade. We Puerto Rican men cannot remain silent, this struggle is not our sisters struggle to fight alone, especially when as men we are the primary perpetrators of this crime and abuse, and those of us who claim not to be abusive still benefit from the status quo, which keeps unhealthy machismo alive and prevalent in our communities.

The Puerto Rican Community, not unlike others, have amongst us individuals who engage in shameful and abusive acts such as domestic violence, child abuse and male violence against women. Amongst them are many who have changed and even held themselves and other men accountable for this behavior.

Men who engage in violence against women are a minority in a community comprised of many peaceful oriented, loving, hard working and individuals. It is the majority, exemplary people from whom true role models should be chosen. There are many men who head organizations to end the violence against women amongst whom one could be chosen to be International Godfather of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. We cannot forget the violent attacks against women in recent times %u2013 at the parade. Honoring Mr. Rios adds insult to injury to Puerto Rican and all women by the Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee Board of Directors.

Mr. Rios has been convicted and served time for Domestic Violence. He has a history of violence against women in other relationships. Osvaldo Rios does not represent the best of our community. It is one thing for Osvaldo Rios to face up to his ills and crimes; and challenge himself to make changes in his relationship with intimate partners and redeem himself. But this obviously has not been the case. Hearing the calls from women asking him not to accept the honor indicates that Mr. Rios is still not listening to the collective voice of women affected by abuse.

Mr. Rios has many mountains to climb and many rivers to cross before we simply forgive and forget his actions. He should take this opportunity in the spotlight to shed light on his case and work toward eradicating violence against women, by challenging men to be part of the solution. This needs to be done not to save his career, but to address an issue we seldom discuss in the Puerto Rican and Latino community. Men need to take the lead in this type of work in order for Violence against women to end. Perpetrator or non perpetrator we have an obligation to restore a basic human right to our sisters.

Dear Tony Bates (Interim Program Director) and to the rest of WBAI Management

I am writing to you about an issue I have recently learned about earlier today. I am writing to you about a major concern which will and if not already affects people of color, young people of color in New York City and in this nation.

I have heard that you, along with the rest of WBAI Management have decided to no longer return the show "Hip Hop State of Mind" on air and that you have given no reason at all to the radio hosts as to why you have all made this decision. I am very disappointed that this decision was made. For a long time, WBAI has been given a lot of credit and respect for the simple fact that it's a "community radio" and part of "Pacifica's large community radio network". While I
appreciate all the efforts your station and Pacifica has done over the years to be in community, it is still very disheartening to hear that an important commuinty show such as "Hip Hop State of Mind" will no longer be in your programming.

Breaking the Silence: Perpetual War = Perpetual Poverty
Monday, January 18, 2010
2304 12th Ave No
Birmingham, AL 35234
http://dianemcnaron.com/bhampeaceproject.html
Speakers: Rosa Clemente(keynote), David Gespass, Rodney Cole

http://www.yele.org

Black Power to Obama - Peniel Joseph & Sonia Sanchez Moderated by Rosa Clemente
Thursday, January 14, 2010
7:30 pm
Brecht Forum
451 West Street
btwn Bank & Bethune St
New York, NY 10014
http://brechtforum.org/events/dark-days-bright-nightsblack-power-obama

-

Breaking the Silence: Perpetual War = Perpetual Poverty
Monday, January 18, 2010
2304 12th Ave No
Birmingham, AL 35234
http://dianemcnaron.com/bhampeaceproject.html
Speakers: Rosa Clemente(keynote), David Gespass, Rodney Cole

-

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
The Jerome L. Greene Space
44 Charlton Street (corner of Charlton and Varick)
New York, New York 10014
Doors open at 6:30, poetry and panel begins at 7 PM
More Info & to purchase tickets: http://www.mvmt.com

Panelists include:
• Rosa Clemente – 2008 Green Party Vice – Presidential Candidate
• Cindy Sheehan –The Peace Mom, author of “Not Another Mother’s Child”
• Michael Skolnik – Political Director to Russell Simmons & Editor for GlobalGrind.com
• Moderated by Elizabeth Mendez Berry, author “The Obama Generation, Revisited” (The Nation, November 2009)

-

ANGEL DUST w/ LORD JAMAL, HASAN SALAAMS, DJ CHELA & more!
Hosted by Rosa Clemente & Majesty
Saturday January 23, 2010 / 10pm
79 North 6th St.
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com/events/view/1428

This event aims to raise awareness of AIDS/HIV through live art and music and also premiering Hasan Salaams music video "Angel Dust", which discusses the "hush hush" topic of HIV/AIDS and its societal effects. With celebrity Dj Chela, the ever-so-talented Lord Jamal from Brand Nubian, Buchanon Bangaz, live art by famous graff artist, LAII, and several organizations will pass out condoms and related information. Proceeds will benefit C!MG which produces and funds many community projects.

Peniel Joseph & Sonia Sanchez

Moderated by Rosa Clemente 2008 Vice-Presidential Candidate

Thursday, January 14
7:30 pm
Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15

Poetry by kahlil almustafa reading from From Auction Block to Oval Office: 100 poems in the first 100 days of Obama's presidency
Brecht Forum
451 West Street
between Bank & Bethune Streets, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 242-4201
Email: brechtforum@brechtforum.org
http://brechtforum.org/events/dark-days-bright-nightsblack-power-obama

April Silver - http://www.akilaworksongs.com
Kahlil Almustafa - http://kahlilalmustafa.mvmt.com/
RodStarz - http://www.rebeldiazmedia.blogspot.com/
P-Star - http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/p-star-rising/

Hip Hop State of Mind hosted by Rosa Clemente
Saturday 1/9 12pm-1pm
99.5FM WBAI(NYC)

• Download mp3

Today's guests include Egbe Iwa Odo ‘Kunrin/ Odo ‘Binrin and Hasan Salaam.

https://www.egbeiwa.org/
http://www.hasansalaammusic.com/

Hip Hop State of Mind hosted by Rosa Clemente
Saturday 1/2 12pm-1pm
99.5FM WBAI(NYC)

• Download mp3

Also on today's show at 12pm 99.5FM WBAI (NYC). Streaming on www.rosaclemente.org!
The Egbe Iwa Odo ‘Kunrin and Hasan Salaam