September 8, 1972 - Statement by member of the Twin Cities People?s Blockade: part of national blockade effort, a nonviolent protest against Vietnam War and the war?s continuing destruction. Two arrested for blocking train track leading into Twin Cities Arsenal. This underscores Nixon administration?s intent to continue the war at the same if not greater level of destruction as the Johnson administration. Group of seven protestors vigiling on railroad tracks since Aug. 28 to highlight our responsibility to end the war in Vietnam. Arriving 15 minutes before train came US Federal Marshals removed for second time a nine foot cross and olive tree on the track, read statement ordering people off the tracks, they refused and sat down in front of oncoming train, they were removed from ordnance track, train went into arsenal. When train boxcars come out will be loaded with ammunition destined for use in what almost everyone considers an immoral and illegal war.
September 8, 1972 - Two weeks ago President Nixon announced he was against minority hiring quotas established in the ?60s. An Urban League worker who works with unions to get minorities into skilled trades says Nixon?s statement makes his job harder. He says this dilutes the whole effort, this is another way of pacifying minorities and not meaningfully integrating the construction trade. It?s a ploy by government to get the labor vote. The construction industry wants to return to business as usual, The industry wants to cut back on minorities going into construction via special programs such as LEAP. Construction unions have political and economic concerns. If minorities become mobile and more affluent and move out of the inner city, this is viewed as a threat. Older craftsman feel their jobs suddenly will be gobbled up or taken away by unskilled or unqualified blacks.
September 26, 1972 - MPR’s Paul Gruchow interviews David Roe, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, about politics, elections, and convention.
September 27, 1972 - MPR’s Paul Gruchow reports on Minnesota AFL-CIO meeting, and if group will endorse Senator George McGovern for President of the United States. Reports includes excerpt of speech at AFL-CIO convention from Hubert H. Humphrey in support of McGovern.
September 29, 1972 - Northwest airline mechanic talks about the effect of the strike on the staff, their inter-relationships and their licenses. "If they could put a man on the moon they could certainly have a computerized pilot fly a plane from New York to Minnesota and only have one or two pilots on board to land or in case of emergency." Interview ends with a breif discussion of retirement and pension benefits.
October 2, 1972 - Airline recuperates as pilot strike ends. Pilots need to retest for license, as the pilots are required to requalify. Work towards starting up operations as normal, however, other staff are waiting to hear from management as to how many staff will be brought back. Speakers include a labor relations manager at Northwest airlines and an airline worker.
October 6, 1972 - Unidentified women speaks out against the Joint Committee for it's failure to weigh all the factors and claims that airport building is getting priority over mass transit needs.
October 13, 1972 - Kate Millett speaks on self-publishing for/by women. In speech, Millett talks on filtering through the male establishment and the autonomy of women to do their own thing; that an editor is not a writer; and about the opposition to any new artistic form. She states that outsiders are better to have their own presses and should not depend on fat-cat capitalism.
October 16, 1972 - Jerry Fryer assistant to ATW Sec. Elliot Richardson discusses funding for schools. State and Federal funds may not be available in the future for schools, but those funds may not be available in the future. The buildings will eventually need to be replaced and they believe that they should be replaced while they have additional money.
October 16, 1972 - MPR’s Rachel Kranz reports on the growth of wild rice production in Minnesota. Kranz talks with farmers about issues and sales of rice as a farm product.