Whistleblower Protection Blog : Whistleblower Lawyer & Attorney : National Whistleblower Legal Defense and Education Fund : Whistleblower Protection, Fraud Claims : Washington DC

The Zinn Education Project is sponsoring State Out of the Union, a performance about civil rights, immigration and education, this Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, Washington, DC (at V St.; use U St. Metrorail station). The performance features author Jeff Biggers, poet Henry Mills and vocalist Chude Mondlane in a skewering of Arizona's "papers please" law.  The Zinn Education Project describes the performance as follows:

With the Tea Party, ethnic studies ban, and SB 1070 setting the stage, State Out of the Union: Arizona and the Final Showdown Over the American Dream opens a new window into the complex history of American immigration conflicts. Jeff Biggers takes no prisoners in this intense, funny performance about the myths, facts, and contradictions in Arizona history. The performance will also feature poet Henry Mills and Mozambique/American recording artist Chude Mondlane.

The late Howard Zinn was a founding Board member of the National Whistleblowers Center. This performance is a benefit for Teaching for Change and the Raza Defense Fund. The suggested donation is $50.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

With sadness we report the death of Howard Zinn, historian, author, activist, and founding Board member of the National Whistleblowers Center. Other sources have already reported Zinn's remarkable biography. I recall how the time flew by thirty years ago when I read A People's History of the United States during subway rides to law school. Zinn's clear and informative writing made me wish I had taking history classes in college.

Here is a photo of Howard Zinn speaking last year at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC:

Zinn played an important role in assisting Daniel Ellsberg in the disclosure of the Pentagon Papers.   Zinn, perhaps better than anyone, recognized the historical importance of putting the truth about the Vietnam War on the public record.

After ferrying the Pentagon Papers, Zinn continued his guiding role in the whistleblower movement. Zinn was a teacher and mentor to two partners of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, LLP, specifically Stephen M. Kohn and David Colapinto. Both had the privilege of studying history from Zinn at Boston University. Later, Zinn wrote a preface for Stephen Kohn's American Political Prisoners: Prosecutions Under the Espionage and Sedition Acts.

When Stephen Kohn, his brother Michael Kohn, and David Colapinto decided to form the National Whistleblowers Center, Howard Zinn joined them (as did Dennis Brutus, who death we mourned just last month). Zinn remained a Board member of NWC for the remainder of his life, just as he supported whistleblowers throughout his professional life.  His writing, speaking and activism have inspired generations to desire peace, work for justice and shine of the light of truth wherever it is needed.

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Howard Zinn, a board member of the National Whistleblowers Center and the famed historian and author of A People's History of the United States, spoke tonight at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. I was in a crowd of over a hundred who arrived too late to get inside.  We huddled together like penguins to hear Howard's remarks.  "They are politicians," he said, "we are citizens, and we must remember that our role is different than theirs:  We are dreamers."

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link