Iranian president and clown-of-the-century nominee Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made his sober annual sojourn to speak at the United Nations today. In previous years, half the delegates have walked out after Ahmadinejad railed against Jews, America, and rational thinking—but things were truly different exactly the same this year. Ahmadinejad gave his usual dumb speech filled with anti-Semitic conspiratorial BS, and delegates from the U.S., France, Germany, the United Kingdom and nearly a dozen other countries all walked out in disgust. You can watch his entire "argle-bargle" speech at the bottom, if you so wish. more ›

In support of teacher Sabrina Milo, who was arrested for making "Columbine-like" threats at Fort Hamilton High School, students planned a walk out for Friday. But the protest never got off the ground, as police officers arrived to guard the exits of the Bay Ridge school. "Look at all the cops. Everyone is scared," one student said. more ›

Ever since Fort Hamilton High School teacher Sabrina Milo was arrested for allegedly making "Columbine-like" threats, her students have rallied behind her, claiming that she was a kind and caring teacher who must have been joking. And on Friday, many of her students will stage a walk out in protest of her arrest. “There are so many teachers in this school who say things like this and they don’t get arrested,” senior Omar Elsayed told Brooklyn Paper. “It’s understandable, teaching is stressful. But if it wasn’t for Ms. Milo, I wouldn’t be graduating high school, so I owe her a lot." And some other teachers are beginning to question her arrest. more ›

Estimates for yesterday's student walkout, protesting the proposed Student MetroCard elimination, vary: The AP says 1,000 showed up while the Daily News says it was closer to 400. Still, the students, who chanted "This is what democracy looks like," were cheered on by a few politicians, like State Senator Pedro Espada (D-Bronx), who was outside the Fordham Leadership Academy for Business and Technology in the Bronx; the News reports that he said, "You have my pledge ... we will make this a priority." more ›

Hundreds of students did walk out of classrooms this afternoon to protest proposed cuts to the student MetroCard program. The program, which gives free MetroCards to over 500,000 students, may be phased out as the MTA deals with a severe budget shortfall. A few students spoke to the local news stations to offer their opinions: more ›

Over 2,400 students are planning to walk out of their classes at noon today to protest the end of the free student MetroCard. The MTA has proposed cutting the free transportation, which costs $214 million, to help close a huge budget gap, but students argue they'll be hurting. One told WCBS 2, "I live really far from school. I would have to pay all the time to get to school," while another argued, "I live in Queens and go to school in Brooklyn. I can't pay to go to school every day." more ›

After local education budgets were slashed across New Jersey last month, putting after school activities and small class sizes in jeopardy, Michelle Ryan Lauto, an 18-year-old aspiring actress and college freshman, created a Facebook page that called for students to walk out of classrooms in protest. And yesterday, thousands of them across the state actually followed through! more ›

Four days after the entire staff walked out on Park Slope's Gorilla Coffee, they finally put up a sign explaining their future plans. They write, "Gorilla Coffee will be closed temporarily as we rebuild and restaff this store. We feel committed to open soon out of love for this neighborhood, our regulars and great coffee." The workers walked out after not being able to stand the "perpetually malicious, hostile, and demeaning work environment" anymore. But for anyone in the area willing to endure months of rigorous training, they're hiring! [Via Brownstoner] more ›

Good news for everyone who walked out on Park Slope's Gorilla Coffee this weekend: you may not be unemployed for long! A new cafe in the East Village posted an ad on Craigslist promising to pay "top dollar" for former Gorilla Coffee employees. It says, "We would love to offer you a new opportunity at a new coffee house which promises fair management." EV Grieve suspects the new cafe may be the New York Film Academy Cafe, which has help wanted signs up... and if all goes well, their inspiring story will soon be told in indie dramedy form. more ›

After Saturday's walkout and subsequent closing down of Gorilla Coffee, the former staff has said this is not a strike and they have no intention of going back. Diner's Journal has a full statement from the former staff, which alludes to issues with a "business partner," most likely co-owner Carol McLaughlin, and "a lack of mutual respect" between the owners and the staff. It accuses McLaughlin of creating a “perpetually malicious, hostile, and demeaning work environment," and when she wouldn't resign the staff decided to quit. Other owner Darleen Scherer said the walkout was "a complete surprise." more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] The local chapter of the union that represents nearly 3,000 of the NBC's producers, writers and technicians is threatening to walk out during the network's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special tonight—potentially denying millions of viewers the pleasure of seeing a light switch get flicked. The show is supposed to be broadcast tonight starting at 8 p.m., hosted by Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and Zachary Levi (Chuck). Musical guests include Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Manilow, Shakira, The Muppets, and The Roots. more ›