The Fight for Human Rights from Vermont to Baltimore: May Day Reports

Big problems necessitate big solutions. Media Mobilizing Project’s work has focused on connecting the struggles of poor and working people in Greater Philadelphia in order to build a more powerful force for change than any single organization or sector could create on its own. We also recognize that the problems we face are not limited to this region. And we know that if we are to be successful, the solutions we are building cannot be smaller than the problems we face. The problems we face are not just about jobs, just about land, or just about health care – so our solution cannot be either. The problems we face do not just affect some racial groups, some genders, some religions or some age ranges – so our solution cannot either. The problems we face do not just exist in Philadelphia and other urban centers – so our solution cannot either.

On May 1, MMP joined our allies across the Northeast to celebrate International Workers Day and continue building our solution: a movement to end poverty led by poor and working people. Here are some photos and reports from United Workers Association’s Our Harbor Day in Baltimore, Maryland; Vermont Workers’ Center’s Health Care Is a Human Right rally in Montpelier, Vermont; CATA’s celebration in Kennett Square; and the May Day Rally and Family Unity BBQ here in Philadelphia.



Photos by Patrick Grugan, Mica Root, Azim Siddiqui, Milena Velis, Megan Williamson, and CATA. Slideshow by Meghna Chandra.


Baltimore, Maryland
By Patrick Grugan

A group of roughly 200-300 people led by the United Workers, marched for human rights in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  The harbor has been declared a Human Rights Zone by the United Workers, and this Harbor Day was the latest step in a long-term campaign designed to ensure that all workers in the Inner Harbor obtain a living wage and are treated with respect and dignity in the workplace. 

The Harbor Day itself was an ambitious undertaking, designed with several moving part that came together to make the program.  The day began with speeches and rehearsals for each of the four plays being performed throughout the day. At this point, the group divided into three, and each went to a different part of the city, where participatory theatrical productions discussed the issues of Education, Earth, and Work, respectively.  The productions were filled with puppets, colorful signs and props, music, and a lot of spirit.  They were organized by the United Workers in collaboration with various allies in the theatrical and artistic communities.

Each of the three productions were performed simultaneously, and then participants marked to City Hall, for a final performance in which a giant puppet of Harriet Tubman evoked the spirit of leadership and encouraged the workers to fill their rightful roles as leaders.  From here, the whole group marched to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where the United Workers made their presence known to the developers that control the Inner Harbor (Cordish Co, and GGP) and the people of Baltimore.  The march itself was fun, loud and colorful, and its careful orchestration showcased the organizing talent of the workers. 

The Harbor Day is significant for a number of reasons.  First, this was the latest step in a long term campaign for human rights in the workplace, a campaign that has already seen significant victories for the workers of Baltimore.  This campaign is built on the development of powerful leaders from the ranks of Baltimore’s workers.   Another important aspect of this Day was the fact that workers from the United Workers and other workers’ groups came together with artists, musicians and theatrical workers to make the day happen.  This collaboration strengthened the power of the narrative being created, and will likely be the basis of further and deeper relationships between the United Workers and cultural workers throughout the city and beyond. 

Check out Bryan Mercer’s video of the event.



Montpelier, Vermont

Vermonters from across the state converged on the state capital in a demonstration to show that Vermont can and should be the first state in the nation to recognize healthcare as a human right and provide it as a public good by implementing a single-payer, universal healthcare system. Over 1000 people marched from Montpelier City Hall to the state capitol building for a festive rally. They were joined by US Senator Bernie Sanders and entertained by skits from various regional organizing committees of the "Healthcare Is a Human Right" campaign, musical performances by Vermont artists, and speeches by campaign leaders from all parts of the state.

The day’s events were organized by the Vermont Workers' Center, which organizes for an economically just and democratic Vermont in which all residents have living wages, decent health care, childcare, housing and transportation.

MMP’s delegation to Montpelier included members of SEIU Healthcare PA and SEIU 32BJ, and was coordinated with the Poverty Initiative and National Economic and Social Rights Initiative.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
By Vanessa Cardinale

Amidst the heat and bright sun, more than 200 people gathered in Nixon Park in Kennett Square, PA to celebrate International Workers Day. The crowd was lively and included members of the Kaolin Mushroom Workers Union, CATA membership from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, students, professors, families, and community members from all over the tri-state area. The event kicked off started presenters who spoke to the reasons that we gathered: to celebrate workers, to support the Kaolin Mushroom Workers in their contract negotiation, to advocate for a just Comprehensive Immigration Reform and to support residents of Arizona who are under attack as a result of the passage of SB1070. The crowd then enjoyed the sounds of "Los Ilegales" and marched a two mile loop through downtown Kennett Square. It was a day of family, celebration, and renewed energy to struggle for justice for immigrant workers. For more information visit www.cata-farmworkers.org.

Philadelphia!!
By Kistine Carolan

MMP’s Radio Tlachuache and Labor Justice Radio joined two celebrations for May Day weekend, to share these worker-produced radio shows with larger communities impacted by the issues we cover on air.  The first event on Saturday was the May Day Rally for All Workers in Elmwood Park. During the event, the organizers broke ground on a new 'Worker's Memorial' that commemorates several historical workers' struggles.  The Family Unity BBQ on Sunday was a celebration of the strength and diversity of immigrant families in Philadelphia, at a time when the attacks on immigrants are increasingly vehement. The BBQ also included a call for the end of the collaboration between the Philadelphia Police Department and ICE. This collaboration creates fear of police in immigrant communities, intimidates victims and witnesses of crimes, violates due process, and increases racial profiling. 
 
At both events, Labor Justice Radio and Radio Tlachuache generated a lot of interest from attendees, who received cds featuring segments from each program and information on when they can catch the shows on 88.1 FM WPEB: Radio Tlachuache is on Tuesdays, 2-5 pm. Labor Justice Radio airs Mondays 7-8 pm and Tuesdays 1-2 pm.  You can also listen to LJR online at www.laborjusticeradio.podomatic.com and find us on Facebook by searching for "Labor Justice Radio." 
 
In addition to spreading the word of these shows, members of both shows appreciated the chance to meet each other and strategize how to connect the content between the two shows. We are working together to break down the traditional division between 'labor' and 'immigrant' rights movements since these issues of justice are intimately connected.

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