LOS ANGELES
Cultural event raises funds for strikers
A benefit performance for the 70,000 striking
and locked-out grocery workers packed a club in North Hollywood
on Jan. 6. Performers included alternative singer/songwriter
Michelle Shocked, hip hop artist Will B, The Blazers, Cisco,
and Lowen and Navarro.
The owner of the non-profit club, often used for progressive
causes, commented that it was a record crowd. The performances
are regularly streamed onto the Internet, so that union
supporters from all over were able to log on, enjoy the music,
and send in donations using Paypal.
Nearly $1,000 was raised, and a similar performance is
planned for the near future. In addition to raising funds, the
event reached across the Internet and helped to build
solidarity for this historic strike.
As the strike enters its thirteenth week, strikers and
locked-out workers have remained strong on the picket line in
spite of financial hardship. All Vons stores are being
picketed, as well as a large distribution center in El Monte,
Calif., which delivers to Vons.
Support from union members and community organizations is
increasing. Community Action Project to Support Labor--a
project of the Los Angeles ANSWER Coalition--is continuing
fundraising efforts and a food drive. Other support actions are
being planned, including a citywide march.
--Scott Scheffer
Reprinted from the Jan. 22, 2004, issue of
Workers World newspaper
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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