A coalition led by New York City Councilmember Charles Barron and other activists and organizations will form a protest on Wall Street January 15, 2010 from 3:30 to 6:00pm at Wall Street and Broad.  The coalition is being led by New York City Councilmember Charles Barron and other activists and organizations urges you to join us on Wall St. on Friday, January 15 between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Coalition members include the Bail Out the People Movement; Rob Robinson of Picture The Homeless; Operation Power; Brenda Stokely of the Million Worker March Movement; Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter of the North Bronx Community Clergy Coalition; Benita Johnson, recording secretary of the Transit Workers Union Local 100; the Harlem Tenants Council; Peoples Organization for Progress; the May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights; labor activists from AFSMCE and the Teamsters; and youth groups like Fight Imperialism Stand Together (FIST) along with many others.  For full details go here:  http://bit.ly/6Xqhls .

The Washington Post (http://bit.ly/8NIYnM) is reporting that Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was charged January 14th with felony gun possession, a crime that carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine.  Arenas' attorneys and prosecutors had been negotiating a plea deal during the day and it was not clear whether the charges were part of the deal.  The guns became an issue on Dec. 21st when after a dispute over a card game, Arenas brought four guns to the Wizards' lockerroom and asked Crittendon to "pick one" in sort of a mock shoot-out.  The U.S. Attorney's office alleged that on Dec. 21, Arenas "did carry, openly and concealed on or about his person, in a place other than his dwelling place, place of business or on other land possessed by him, a pistol with license issued pursuant to law".  

Stands to lose $147K/Game

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.  Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."