by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 8, 2014 | Projects
“Ni Una Más Deportación! Ni Una Más Deportación!” “Not One More! Not One More!” These were the chants echoing in the streets on Saturday, as several hundred people marched down 16th Street NW to the White House. As the number of individuals deported since Obama took office in 2008 nears 2 million, thousands of Americans across the country gathered on April 5th to demand #Not1More. DC Jobs with Justice joined the local action, organized by the day labor organization Trabajadores Unidos de DC – United Workers of DC. The national day of protests was coordinated by NDLON, the National Day Labor Organizing Network, which says that the president must act to fix the immigration system with whatever power he has, since comprehensive reform remains stalled in Congress. Grassroots organizations in over 70 cities took up the call to organize rallies in the communities with the clear message to the president that the time to act is now. In DC, Trabajadores Unidos worked hard to outreach to local organizations, unions, activists, musicians, and both the immigrant and non-immigrant communities. Around 11AM on April 5th, people began to gather in Lamont Park in Mount Pleasant, a neighborhood that has historically been home to many Central American immigrants. The crowd was rallied by traditional Mexican folk music played by a local band, as well as speeches from clergy and community members before setting off on a march to the White House. The parade of marchers was accompanied by colorful flags and signs, drummers, and people in costume. As the march snaked its way down 16th Street with many supportive cheers and honks from onlookers, the...
by DC Jobs with Justice | May 11, 2012 | Projects, Workers' Rights Board
(affiliations listed for identification purposes only) CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE DC WORKERS’ RIGHTS BOARD (2012): Pastor and Founder Raymond C. Bell (Chair) – Spirit of Love and Deliverance Baptist Church Christine Hart-Wright – STRIVE-DC Yvette Bryant – Florida Baptist Church Terry Lynch (Past Chair)- Downtown Cluster of Congregations Parisa B. Norouzi – Empower DC Carol Rosenblatt – Coalition of Labor Union Women Reverend Edwin Jones – Living Faith Baptist Church and International Ministries PAST MEMBERS OF THE DC WORKERS’ RIGHTS BOARD: Kwame Brown – DC City Council, At-Large Msgr. Raymond East – Archdiocese of Washington Bishop Carlos Harvin – Imani Temple Eugene DeWitt Kinlow – Washington East Foundation Bill Lightfoot – Attorney Phil Mendelson – DC City Council, At-Large Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Marcel Reid – DC ACORN Rabbi Robert Saks – Congregation Bet Mishpachah Rabbi Gerry Serotta – Temple Shalom Rev. Lennox Yearwood., Jr. – Hip Hop...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Mar 7, 2012 | Campaigns, Injured Worker Advocate
On March 1st, DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Nikki Daruwala and members of the Injured Worker Advocates (IWA), along with Employment Justice Center testified before the Council of the District of Columbia’s Oversight Hearing on the Office of Risk management Committee on Government Operations. In her testimony, Nikki Daruwala stated that “over 2,000 injured DC government workers go through the Public Sector Workers Compensation Program each year. Disability benefits are intended to give injured government employees financial security when hurt on the job and help them pay their medical care, rent and other basic fundamental human necessities. Unfortunately, due to a decade of poor administration and noncompliance, formally middle-class injured workers have been driven into poverty as a result of their on-the-job injuries.” The coalition made recommendations to the Council and asked them to pass legislation that would reform flaws in the Disability Compensation Program.rnrnWould you like to support the IWA? Please sign this petition http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/188/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3758 and help the IWA tell the District Government that they deserve their rights and benefits....
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jan 14, 2012 | Grassroots Leadership Education Project, Projects
by Andrew Willis Garcés and Mackenzie Baris, with contributions by many others Read previous reports: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 rn INDEX+ 2011 SNAPSHOT + Education & Youth + Gender Justice + Police & Criminal Justice + Immigrant Rights & Language Justice+ Labor & Workers+ Housing & Development+ Budget & Community Benefits 2011 SNAPSHOT DC’S 99% PLANT SEEDS, CULTIVATE HUMAN ECONOMY Facing a perennially corrupt and ineffective local government and several years of national bank bailouts for the 1%, DC change-makers turned to each other. Grassroots projects to create a human economy took off in 2011. The two Occupy DC** encampments churned out hundreds of free, daily meals and provided basic medical care and a library for hundreds of visitors, including some who had been recently laid off or evicted. Other volunteer-run projects like DC Doulas for Choice and DC Time Bank continued to expand opportunities for a human-centered, solidarity economy.rnrnJust a few other examples: A new grassroots, all-volunteer foundation — the Diverse City Fund — distributed $45,000 to 23 organizations led by people of color, and the long-running DC Abortion Fund stepped in when Congress blocked Medicaid abortion reimbursement. Several large housing coops consolidated and began to plan to play roles in spreading coop values & housing rights. New worker and consumer cooperatives began exploratory work, like a potential Shaw food coop, a GWU coop cafe, and cooperatives of day laborers and child care workers seeking greater control over their economic lives. And collective farming projects continued to take root in neighborhoods like Edgewood. NEW YEAR, NEW MAYOR, MORE REASONS TO MOBILIZE In 2011 a new mayor took office,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 28, 2010 | Immigrant Rights, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC
Condemning Arizona’s new immigration law program as “racist and perverse,†dozens of labor, community and immigrant rights activists spoke out forcefully yesterday about the dangers of collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). rnrn“Programs like this are effectively pushing America back to the days of slave patrols,†said Ron Hampton, Executive Director of the National Black Police Association, at a press conference and rally outside DC City Council. “Secure Communities” – which is close to being implemented in the District by Police Chief Cathy Lanier – involves local and state police in federal immigration enforcement, which opponents say will lead to racial profiling and the erosion of transparency, accountability and due process. rnrn“I have hopes that Chief Lanier will not implement this perverse program,†said DC Councilmember Jim Graham (D – Ward 1, at right). “If, however, Chief Lanier refuses to back down, I will produce legislation that will prevent this program and I need the support from every one of you!†he added as the crowed cheered “No More Arizonas†and waved signs reading “No Racial Profiling!†rnrnJaime Contreras – Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board member and Area Director for SEIU 32BJ – said, “We will not stand by and watch as our community is targeted. This is not backwards Arizona…this is Washington DC, the capital of freedom. I hope that Chief Lanier comes to her senses and we will stand strong next to Jim Graham and the community in opposing this bill.†rnrnThe press conference marked the national kickoff of “Uncovering The Truth†– a week long national campaign in more than ten...
