More than 100 organizers and activists from the DC metro area travelled to Detroit to attend the U.S. Social Forum held June 22 – 26th. rnrnThe DC delegation included students from local universities, union members from AFGE 2741 and UFCW Local 400, community activists from Empower DC, the Gray Panthers, and the Washington Peace Center, Wings strikers, and Union de Trabajadores members. DC JwJ organized a bus of more than 50 people to travel to Detroit together. rnrnThe USSF, which drew nearly 20,000 participants, featured hundreds of workshops, cultural events, plenary sessions, marches and actions, and “People’s Movement Assemblies” that brought together groups from across the country to strategize about common issues. rnrn
DC JwJ joined Central Florida, Chicago, and Missouri Jobs with Justice for a workshop entitled “Keeping Your Service Off the Chopping Block: Labor-Community Partnerships to Fight Privatization.” Moderated by Bill Fletcher, the workshop featured Empower DC presenting on the campaign to save child care centers at Parks and Rec, as well as stories from Central Florida and Chicago. rnrnDC JwJ also presented about the Secure Communities fight during a workshop titled “Uncovering the Truth: Fighting Police-ICE Collaboration” and about the Justice at Wings campaign during a workshop on “Immigrant Workers and Labor.” rnrn
Members of the Union de Trabajadores and DC JwJ participated in the Excluded Worker Congress, which brought together domestic workers and farm workers — historically excluded from organizing rights — informal sector workers such as taxi drivers, restaurant workers and day laborers, welfare-to-work participants, workers in “right to work” states, and other workers now excluded from bargaining rights, such as TSO screeners. Workers shared testimonies, as well as calls to action for their organizing campaigns.rnrnDC JwJ will be helping to plan a report back in early August. Stay tuned for details!
