Forum highlights solidarity, unity in struggle

Workers and activists packed the Solidarity Center Aug. 21 to participate in a forum entitled, “What are the next steps in the fight for immigrant and workers’ rights?” Speakers included representatives of community groups, unions, and workers’ and youth organizations.

Aug. 21 forum at the Solidarity Center. WW photo: John Catalinotto

Jonna Baldres from the Philippine Forum chaired the meeting. “There is a world economic crisis,” she said, “and we must be disciplined, because our enemies are disciplined. We must struggle together.” Three of the panelists had to hide their identities to avoid reprisals at work, but their message was powerful.

Several organizers in the Band of Brothers from New York’s Woodlawn Cemetery workers spoke. “I saw a rainbow one day and I thought — this rainbow is a reflection of all of us here on earth. Because we are all the colors of the rainbow, and we are the power,” one worker said.

Faced with blatant racism and threatened with dismissal and wage reduction, the African-American workers at the cemetery banded together. “They tried to hammer us down as if we were nails. But we are men and we are not going to lie down. We are going to rise.”

Larry Holmes of the Bail Out the People Movement said: “There’s depression-level unemployment. The government is giving banks and corporations trillions while there is a hiring strike. The capitalists are cutting social programs and actually creating this crisis. How long are we going to tolerate this merciless, inhumane system?”

Holmes called for a regional peoples’ assembly on Sept. 25 to discuss strategy and tactics in the coming period.

Teresa Gutierrez, a leader in the New York May 1 Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights, which organized the forum, noted: “The issue is building unity among immigrants and Black and white working-class communities. The repression against immigrants is intensifying against the Muslim community, and the movement has to come out at ground zero on Sept. 11.”

Fight for ‘the right to live better’

Gutierrez said the issues for all workers are the same: “Unite to fight for jobs, unite against homelessness. We want schools not jails for our youth.”

Julie Fry, representing the youth in the March 4th Coalition, said, “There is an international and national attack on students: raising tuition, laying off teachers, increasing class size, with no end in sight.” She stressed the need for all workers to take part Oct. 7 in the National Day of Action to Defend Public Education.

Charles Jenkins, an organizer of the Million Worker March and a member of the steering Committee of the New York May 1 Coalition, echoed the need for unity between immigrants and the Black community. “The MWM and May 1 did something historic because we knew we had to unite. We have the right to live better than we have lived before. Working-class youth deserve a future.” Jenkins encouraged people to go to the Oct. 2 rally in Washington, D.C., to fight for jobs. “We must leave here with one voice, the voice of the working class,” he said.

Christine Williams, a Transit Workers union organizer, echoed the call for unity and action. “Fire the MTA [Metropolitan Transit Authority]! That’s our motto! Wall Street bankers and real estate tycoons are out to cut services and raise fares. The disabled are going to be without buses.”

Ramon Jimenez, running for New York state attorney general on the Freedom Party ticket, said, “We stand with the Band of Brothers in their fight against racism.” He noted that Andrew Cuomo, New York Democratic gubernatorial candidate, “boldly says he’s going to cut programs. He would save Wall Street, not the workers. We won’t be on the defensive — we have to act! Tax the banks!”

Armando Robles of the United Electrical Workers Local 1110 in Chicago led the workers who occupied and took over the Republic Windows and Doors factory in December. He noted: “We learned how to fight. We never lost our hope. Civil disobedience does not mean cooperation with the police.” Robles’ advice: “Just occupy!”

Carlos Rovira from the Movimiento de Independiente Trabajadores was the last speaker. “We have reason to celebrate,” he concluded, “We are creating a movement.”