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| Teamsters stand behind MLK III in Atlanta |
Associated Press reported
King III laid a wreath at his parents' crypt before leading a group of clergy, labor and civil rights activists through downtown to the steps of the Georgia Capitol. Marchers held signs that read, "Stop the war on workers" and "Unions make us strong," and sang "This Little Light of Mine."
King III told the crowd at the statehouse that his father lost his life in the struggle for workers' dignity and democracy for all Americans, comparing the struggle to today's battle over collective bargaining rights in states including Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio.
Minnesota Teamsters, many from Local 320 and Local 1145, were among the estimated 5,000 people who took part in the huge rally in front of the Statehouse. Many carried signs reading “From Memphis 1968 to Madison 2011. The struggle continues.” The protesters marched from the Cathedral of St. Paul to the Statehouse grounds. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports
The march for workers' rights, King's work the day he was killed, comes amid tough times for unions.
From the Cathedral they marched -- teachers, Teamsters, locomotive engineers -- united Monday in support of workers' rights and in defense of the middle class.
Out front, Russell Hess, megaphone in hand, asked, "Who builds America? Who teaches America?" and the people shouted, "We do!"In Ohio, WDTN in Dayton reported on the rally at Teamsters Local 957's hall.
Union members continue to rally against the law formerly known at Senate Bill 5. Monday, members of area unions and elected officials gathered at the Teamsters Local 957 in Dayton to speak out against the newly-signed law.
"It's so bad there's not even a starting point to try to change it," said Bill Dudley of the UFCW Local 75. "I'm so disappointed in our governor that he would go after the people we see as heroes in our community."Brother Scott Utech, business agent/organizer with Local 554, posted this photo of a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, where an anti-worker bill was passed by the House but is dying in the Senate. The Sioux City Journal reports,
Sioux City, Iowa rally.
Dozens of union supporters rallied in front of City Hall on Monday as part of a nationwide pro-labor effort.
Waving signs reading “Solidarity” and “We Are One,” rallygoers said they were there to stand up for workers’ rights.And Brother Randy Conrad tells us,
Teamsters Local 71 in Charlotte, NC joined other Unions, Community Groups, Citizens, and other leaders from across the city. Organizer Randy Conrad and Political Coordinator Keith Pope coordinated the event for Local 71.There were so many Teamsters at so many rallies we can't hope to keep track of them all. Here's just a sample, based on our Facebook postings. Brother Patrick Lynch says: NM great group in Albuquerque
"The message from Teamsters Local 71 to the Politicians is clear. Whether you’re Democrat, Republican, Independent, or other - you’re either with us or you’re not. We Will Remember in November", said both Conrad and Pope.
Sister Elizabeth A Walker posts
We did ours today in solano county, Ca.Sister Susan White tells us
there was a rally in merced, ca with about 150 attendees from different groups...IBT was represented...YEAH!
