27 February 2009

VICTORY! Cab Rate Rollback Denied! **EXCLUSIVE STORY**

Sometimes you cover the news, other times you make the news. Pictured left is A.F. James MacArthur, Managing Editor of the Baltimore Spectator, gesturing at the Public Service Commission headquarters, while leading an angry, but civil protest of over 1000 taxi cabs.

In a move viewed as a major victory, a judge has issued a stay to the taxi meter rate decrease, originally scheduled to take effect tomorrow, 1 March. Late Friday afternoon, Judge Stewart Berger issued an injunction blocking the Maryland Public Service Commission from going forward with the decrease, pending a future hearing.

Attorney Ben Alston delivered the news to a packed house of frustrated drivers last night at a meeting convened by NAACP President Marvin "Doc" Cheatham. Acknowledging the early victory, Cheatham reminded the drivers they still faced a long, rough road in seeking to persuade the public to support their cause as they move forward seeking permanent blocking and reversal of the rate rollback.

At a time when overall operating costs continue to escalate, many drivers feel the move by the Governor O'Malley appointed commission to be out of touch with reality. Drivers complain of severely unfair and exploitative treatment by local cab companies, also citing that with current rates, they already struggled to earn a living. Many drivers feel that with the new rates being 25% lower, they would literally be starved out of existence.


As this story develops, you can trust The Baltimore Spectator to keep you informed.

Related:

Taxi Protest -- What Really Happened


Over 1000 cabs took to the streets in a wild, heated protest, paralyzing Baltimore's downtown during morning rush hour for more than 90 minutes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After hearing repeated complaints from numerous drivers about the severity and hardship the rate decrease would cause to them and their families, A.F. James MacArthur, along with several others decided to help. In less than 24 hours of organization, over 1000 cabs showed up. Now with several major labor unions and the NAACP backing the fight, the drivers of Baltimore expect eventually total victory in gaining fair treatment and fair pay.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Baltimore Spectator On Twitter

Get updates and random musings from the mind of MacArthur. Baltimore crime, grime and politics with a sprinkling of nonsense thrown in for good measure on twitter.com/baltospectator

BALTIMORE SPECTATOR RADIO NETWORK - BSRN

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Our Growing Video Collection

MESSAGE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT/INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

To all those who willfully, deliberately and routinely violate the civil rights of law abiding American Citizens; Yes, you're powerful. Sure, you're everywhere. But this is still America, and the Constitution of the United States Of America still reigns supreme as the law of the land. The Baltimore Spectator will vigorously and aggressively defend against any and all attempts at spying and suppression. Let it be known to all that we are already aware of the regular monitoring and shadowing attempts. There is nothing to hide, but cross the line and there will be hell to pay.

In the end, efforts to impinge upon the freedoms of the people will ultimately fail. Some of us may get taken out in the ongoing battle for true and lasting freedom, but as I've said many times before, and will say till the day I die or get taken out by you goons, THERE ARE MORE OF US, THAN THERE ARE OF YOU.


A.F. James MacArthur -- American patriot & lover of liberty.

Fair Use Copyright Notice

--DISCLAIMER-- Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purpose such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statue that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.