Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog
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Jobs Bus Honors Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Vision
Hundreds of community members celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by calling attention to the jobs emergency in the state of Wisconsin. Along with fighting for civil rights, Dr. King devoted much of his life to the fight for economic equality. Community members and labor activists continued King's legacy on Monday by demanding family-supporting jobs for every citizen of Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Jobs Now! - a coalition of labor, community and faith-based organizations - sponsored a Jobs Bus filled with community leaders, union members and unemployed workers to celebrate King Day.
The Jobs Bus kicked off the day with a rally at the Talgo parking lot. Activists reminded Gov. Scott Walker and elected officials of a missed opportunity to bring thousands of good jobs to Wisconsin. The group vowed to hold Gov. Walker accountable for the 250,000 jobs he has promised to create for the state.
The next stop for the Jobs Bus was a Justice Rally in downtown Milwaukee. Despite the wintery weather and snowy roads, hundreds of people packed St. Francis of Assisi Church to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and rally for jobs. Participants donned orange ribbons in solidarity with workers in need of jobs.
"Let us not forget that Dr. King died fighting for the rights of workers, so that justice could be brought to the work place and people could have a voice on the job," explained Rep. Gwen Moore, one of many speakers who paid tribute to King.
"The teachings of Martin Luther King still stand in that we cannot allow ourselves to be divided by those in power if we want a better future and the future is in our hands," said Juan Soto, an unemployed worker who has been out of a job for over two years.
Soto is a former employee of Southwest Metal Finishing, polishing parts for Harley Davidson. He was laid off when the company moved part of its operation to Mexico. Although the company is rehiring, it is doing so through a temporary agency and the rehired workers are receiving a fraction of their former wages.
"The struggle to put pressure on representatives to create jobs and support the unemployed depends on a strong alliance between all workers and the broader support of the community," concluded Soto. "I am honored to celebrate Martin Luther King Day with you and continue his fight for working people."
Participants braved the cold and marched through the streets to a nearby statue of Dr. King. A microphone was passed around for all to have their voice heard in celebration of the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr.
(Top Photo: Community members gather around Dr. King statue to pay tribute to his legacy. Upper left Photo: Ralliers march to Dr. King statue to call attention to jobs crisis. Lower Right Photo: Ken Greening Plumbers Local 75 says that justice is in jobs. Bottom left hand photo: Got Jobs? Activists use MLK Day to demand good jobs for Wisconsin. Credit for all photos: Karen Hickey)
Posted at 06:56 PM in Jobs and Unemployment | Permalink
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