In spirit of civil rights bus boycotts
Baltimore battle to halt fare hike
By Sharon Black
Baltimore
Community, union and church groups have
launched a mass campaign to stop a bus fare increase and cuts
in service here in Baltimore. Bus fare is set to increase from
$1.35 to $1.60 on June 30. The cost of monthly bus passes would
also increase. And several bus lines will be eliminated.
The All Peoples Congress and the Transit Riders League have
called for a June 27 protest. Union activists from AFSCME
Council 92 and AFGE Local 1923 have joined the effort, along
with Councilperson Dr. Kwame O. Abayomi, Jesus Saves church,
Unity for Action and others.
The group has called for a bus boycott on July 1.
Organizers have pointed out that this is also the 50th
anniversary of the Baton Rouge, La., bus boycott. In 1953, the
Baton Rouge City Council voted to raise city bus fares. This
was a painful and humiliating blow: 80 percent of the city's
bus riders were Black and although they paid full fare they
were forced to sit in the back or stand. Ten seats in front
were reserved for whites only.
For Black workers tired and worn out from long hours of
backbreaking work, empty "white only" seats were an infuriating
and painful reminder of the disgrace of Jim Crow laws.
On June 19, 1953, the United Defense League was formed, and
the group announced a boycott of the bus system. The boycott
lasted five days before concessions were won on June 24.
While the Baton Rouge bus boycott was short, it was the
model that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders in the
civil rights movement studied.
The All Peoples Congress has dedicated its actions in the
coming weeks to those who fought these important battles.
Union and community score a win
Maryland Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan, who is
known for his arrogance and refusal to talk with community
representatives, has finally agreed to meet with
representatives of AFGE Local 1923 and #86 bus riders to
discuss and negotiate issues about bus transportation for
disabled riders.
This announcement came after a week of protests.
On June 18, the president and vice president of AFGE Local
1923 walked the picket line in front of the Maryland Transit
Authority's downtown offices. They joined 50 other union
members, bus riders from the #86, which is slated for cuts, and
the All Peoples Congress to demand a meeting with Flanagan.
For workers at the Social Security Office who ride this bus,
terminating the route would add four extra hours to their
commute. This bus is also one of the few that is accessible for
disabled riders.
The group had planned to ride the #86 bus on June 20--and
then occupy the bus, refusing to get off. Reporters had readied
to cover the action. Members of AFGE and the All Peoples
Congress were prepared to go to jail. The group had gathered at
the bus stop amidst heavy rain and intimidating security.
Flanagan then agreed to meet, averting the action.
The growing coalition has called on the community to keep up
the pressure. For more information on how to help with
providing alternative transportation during the July 1 bus
boycott call (410) 218-4835.
Reprinted from the July 3, 2003, issue of
Workers World newspaper
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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