WE ARE ONE: RESPECT OUR RIGHTS !
On April 4, 1968, shortly before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood with sanitation workers in Memphis to demand human rights, basic respect and collective bargaining to gain a better life. Today, hundreds of thousands of people are taking the same stand—together.
All workers have a human right to organize and to bargain collectively. Amnesty International stands in solidarity with all those seeking to defend collective bargaining rights anywhere these rights are threatened, and on April 4 we urge all legislators to protect workers’ rights by rejecting any attempt to limit collective bargaining.
Honor Dr. King’s vision for human rights. Join us on April 4!
As you know, there is an ongoing battle over collective bargaining rights that started in Wisconsin and is now growing in several states around the country on whether collective bargaining rights are indeed respected and recognized by elected officials. Amnesty International USA has signed on as one of the partners of the WE ARE ONE Campaign, a national mobilization effort led by the AFL-CIO and over 200 partnering organizations (labor, faith, human rights and others) from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
On Monday, April 4 organizations fighting for the respect of workers rights, specifically collective bargaining, will be organizing rallies and vigils as well as teach ins all around the country to e nsure that the voice of workers an all working people are heard. Thousands of events have been organized nationwide, and we encourage members to participate in their area.
To find an event in your area, visit www.we-R-1.org. Another good resource is your state labor federation, as well as Jobs with Justice (www.jwj.org). Here are some additional resources:
Blog: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/shine-a-light-on-workers-rights/
Facebook events page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205891326106778#!/event.php?eid=205891326106778
Talking points and AI statement http://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/workers-have-a-right-to-organize/
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/warning-us-states-plan-severely-restrict-workers-rights-2011-03-17
Here are some good slogans to use at events on and around April 4:
WE ARE ONE.
You cannot divide us. Public employees, private sector, men and women, all ages, races and ethnicities, we are one.
WE ARE ENERGIZED.
We are inspired by the courage and convictions of our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and other states where elected officials are targeting collective bargaining rights.
WE DEMAND RESPECT FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS.
Elected officials have a responsibility to uphold workers’ rights as human rights.
WE WILL WIN.
In Solidarity,
Sara
Sara Schmidt
Field Organizer – Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Amnesty International USA
facebook.com/amnestywest | Twitter @amnestywest
Take action for imprisoned student activist Majid Tavakkoli! www.amnestyusa.org/majid
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*Note: At the moment, no word on official participation from our AI group members, but there are at least 2 events in the Seattle area:
Noon – 1 pm at UW (15th & Stevens Way, just off 40th), hosted by Washington State Jobs With Justice:
http://local.we-r-1.org/weareone/events/show/274
5:30 – 7 pm at MLK Jr Park (2200 MLK Jr Way), sponsored by Communications Workers of America Local 7800: