Memphis DSA

Monday, April 1, 2013

Activists Gather in Memphis to Commemorate MLK's Life

Activists Gather in Memphis to Commemorate MLK's Life
AFSCME Local 1733 and activists from across the nation will gather in Memphis this week to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Memphis Commemorative Events April 3-4, 2013

Please join members of AFSCME Local 1733, Martin Luther King III, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, MSNBC “PoliticsNation” Host and National Action Network President Al Sharpton

as we commemorate the

45th Anniversary of

Dr. Martin Luther King’s work

on behalf of AFSCME Local 1733’s 1968 Sanitation Workers’ Strike:

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s final act of solidarity. In commemoration of his life and his solidarity, union members, civil rights leaders and community activists are again gathering in Memphis for a series of historic events.

On April 3, the community will gather from 7-10 p.m. in the historic Mason Temple at 930 Mason St., Memphis, Tenn. Highlights a panel discussion on economic and racial justice including Karen Finney of MSNBC, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Benjamin Todd Jealous of the NAACP, Van Jones of Rebuild the Dream and Terry O'Neill of the National Organization for Women. Civil rights leaders the Rev. Al Sharpton, AFL-CIO Exec. Vice Pres. Arlene Holt Baker, AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders and Martin Luther King III will also give special remarks.

On April 4 at 8:30 a.m., we will rename a local street 1968 Strikers Lane, then march from AFSCME Local 1733 (485 Beale St.) to the National Civil Rights Museum (450 Mulberry St.) and end with a rally.

The invitation from Martin Luther King III, AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders and Rev. Al Sharpton reads, “We look back this year and remember, because we know that the foundation laid in the most triumphant and tragic days of the civil rights movement – of our economic justice – must inspire and guide us in the struggles we now face.”

For more information and to RSVP, please visit www.memphis2013.org.

Celebrating Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta

Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta recognized for their life long contributions to organized labor and social justice.

Cesar Chavez at the Delano UFW rally. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cesar Chavez Day is a state holiday in California – one of eight states to recognize the date, and one of the few holidays in the nation dedicated to a labor leader. Sacramento and dozens of cities, counties and labor federations will celebrate the life of Cesar Chavez on March 31, 2013.

The year 2012 was the 50^th. anniversary of the founding of the U.F.W. by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Philip Vera Cruz and others. The celebrations focused on the struggle for union rights and justice in the fields of California.

The United Farm Workers (UFW) was the first successful union of farm workers in U.S. history. There had been more than ten prior attempts to build a farm workers union. Each of the prior attempts were destroyed by racism and corporate power. Chávez and Huerta chose to build a union that incorporated the strategies of social movements and community organizing and allied itself with the churches, students, and organized labor. The successful creation of the UFW changed the nature of labor organizing in the Southwest and contributed significantly to the birth of Latino politics in the U.S.

Today, under the leadership of UFW president Arturo Rodriguez, only about 25,000 farm workers enjoy benefits on the job. Wages and benefit in farm labor have again been reduced to the pre union levels. The UFW has shown unions that immigrants can and must be organized.

Both Chavez and DSA Honorary Chair Dolores Huerta have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and in the California Hall of Fame for their work.

Dolores Huerta remains active as a staunch advocate for women’s rights and reproductive freedom. Huerta is a founding board member of the Feminist Majority Foundation and serves on the board of Ms. Magazine as well as her service as an Honorary DSA Chair. She is active in the Democratic Party Conventions and campaigns and she frequently speaks at universities and organizational forums and union halls on issues of social justice and public policy. Dolores continues working to develop community leaders and advocating for the working poor, immigrants, women and youth as President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Duane Campbell is a Professor (emeritus) of Bilingual/Multicultural Education at Calif. State University-Sacramento, the author of Choosing Democracy; a practical guide to multicultural education.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Memphis People's Conference on Race and Equality (Sat. March 30th)

People's Conference on Race and Equality

Memphis DSA supports the People's Conference on Race & Equality, JOIN US at the conference on Sat. March 30th

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Memphis United presents the People’s Conference on Race and Equality with workshops, community conversations, arts, music, & dance ongoing throughout the day. Also featuring an action area with information from dozens of groups on opportunities for action, art exhibits, and interactive kids art project and much more. Drop-in at any time throughout the day for a few minutes or a few hours and learn to confront hate by building community.

Central Stage :: Creative Arts Building

10-11am: Opening Ceremony with Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl

11am-12:15pm :: Community Conversation: Race, Faith and Movements

Panelists: Andy Andrews, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Andre Johnson, Pastor and Author of Race, Rhetoric & Religion; Gail Tyree, activist and local AFSCME Asst. Director; Dr. Coby Smith, founding member of the Invaders

Moderator: Anthony Siracusa, Rhodes College

12:30-1pm: Performance: Latino Cultural Center (theatre, dance, art and music)

1-1:50pm: Community Conversation: Racial Structures and Racial Realities in Memphis

Dr. Zandria Robinson, Professor of Sociology, University of Memphis; Dr. Wanda Rushing, author of Memphis & the Paradox of Place, Luvell Anderson, Professor of Philosophy, University of Memphis

Moderator: Edie Love, activist and student

2-2:30pm: Performance: Artistik Approach (a capella hip-hop and spoken word)

2:30-3:20pm: Community Conversation: Environmental Racism: Poverty, Pollution and Solutions

Rita Harris, Environmental Justice Director, Sierra Club; Bastet Ank Re, Vegan Chef, Natural House of Wellness; Khomorai Galloway, Grow Memphis Community Gardening Organizer

Moderator: Chris Peterson, Grow Memphis

3:30-4pm: Performance: Juju Bushman (singer and songwriter)

4-5pm: Community Conversation: Discrimination and Equality: The GLBT Struggle Continues

Panelists: Will Batts, Executive Director, Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center, Floridia Jackson, Pastor and activist, Yeshua Holiday, Pastor and activist

Moderator: TBD

Workshops :: East Wing, Creative Arts BuildingWorskhops are 50 minutes in length

10:30am: Story to Story - Elaine Blanchard

11:30am: Community Conversation on Race - Common Ground

1pm: The Reality of our Immigration System - TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition & Communidades Unidas en Una Voz

2:30pm: Nonviolent Communication - Elaine Krueger

4pm: Organizing Against Racism - Bradley Watkins, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

Exhibition and Activity Area :: West Wing, Creative Arts Building