DC Jobs with Justice and Respect DC’s Spring of 99% Training “energized” attendees

The Spring of 99% nonviolent direct action trainings happened all over our country last week. The goal was to train 100,00 people across the United States on nonviolent direct action. Locally in DC,on Sunday, April 15th, people gathered at the AFL-CIO for the DC Jobs with Justice and Respect DC Spring of 99% training. Some of the training attendees hailed from organizations like the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA), the New Organizing Institute and Pride at work. Participants discussed their personal stories of how they are the 99%. They also saw a short film on the economy, and learned how to do hassle lines for nonviolent direct action. Attendees felt energized and wanted to learn more about getting involved with DC Jobs with Justice and the Respect DC campaign. If you would like to learn more about the Spring of 99% and how to be involved with DC Jobs with Justice contact Lillian@dcjwj.org. If you would like to learn more about the Respect DC campaign please contact Mike at Mike@dcjwj.orgĀ or Dyana at...

IWJ Hosts Worker Justice Spring Break at Georgetown

rnWhile many of their fellow students were off carousing sun-drenched beaches in time-honored Spring Break tradition, nine Georgetown students rallied and leafleted in DC as part of an Alternative Spring Break program called “Worker Justice DC.” rnrnCoordinated by Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and Georgetown University Center for Social Justice, the program provided an intensive introduction to worker justice issues with a focus on reflection and action.rnrnrnThe jam-packed week included taking part in direct action and leafleting campaigns – coordinated by SEIU 32BJ – with Northern Virginia janitors and DC security guards, rallying and participating in street theater at Tuesday’s DC City Council vote on the paid sick bill, discussing future opportunities in the labor movement with Metro Council President Jos Williams, and visiting with Alexandria construction workers who are training through the Residential Construction Workers Association (http://www.astracor.org/Default.htm), which works to improve the lives of all workers employed in residentialrnconstruction to receive their special certification cards.rnrnThe program also emphasized the responsibility, as students of a Jesuit university, for working towards social justice and showed students the intersection of Catholic social teaching and low-wage worker issues. “We considered ways in which we could advocate for justice in our immediate community and around the world,” said Andrew D’Souza, a freshman in the School of Foreign Service. “We would like to thank Interfaith Worker Justice and the Center for Social Justice for this eye-opening experience. And to all the workers around Washington and beyond, we, Georgetown students, stand with you in solidarity for justice.” rn rnReported by Julia Leis, Spring Break Program Coordinator and IWJ National...