April days of action

The week of April 2nd to April 8th will provide multiple opportunities for participation in activities focusing on opposition to the attacks on working families, seniors, children and the vulnerable in our communities.

On April 2nd, at 2:00 p.m., there will be an International Solidarity Event at Peace Arch State Park at the Canadian/U.S. border in Blaine, WA. Union members and their allies from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, will send a message of international solidarity with workers who are struggling to keep their right to organize and collectively bargain.

On Monday, April 4th , 5:30 - 7 p.m. at MLK Memorial Park, 2200 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle -- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., where he was standing with sanitation workers supporting their dream of a better life. We are now seeing the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a decent life under attack. As part of the National Call to Action on April 4, there will be a local event with the message that we stand against a political agenda that is attacking working families, their human rights and their dignity. This event is sponsored by the Communications Workers of America.

Beginning April 5th, the action will shift to Olympia. The common message of all the actions will be:
-End corporate loopholes and give-aways to big business.
-Stop scapegoating public workers, immigrants and the poor.
-Don’t balance the budget on the backs of women, people of color, and the most vulnerable,
-Defend public schools and affordable tuition.
-Hands off collective bargaining. No layoffs or givebacks. Create jobs!

On Tuesday, April 5th, our South Sound based PSARAmembers are invited to join the Olympia Coalition for a Fair Budget, a coalition of students, church groups and peace activists. Beginning at 10 a.m. at the mural on State St. and Capital Way, there will be a march to the Capitol. Special attention will be devoted to the Chase Bank and Bank of America along the route of the march and the significant tax loophole they enjoy. A rally will begin on the Capitol steps between 11 and noon (depending on when the march arrives) with music and speakers continuing for the remainder of the day.

Wednesday, April 6th, is Community Action Day. WA Community Action Network will lead a large coalition of community based organizations in a “Mobilization for Human Needs and Education”. “We know right from wrong and we cannot stand by any longer in silence. We have rallied, marched, lobbied and testified. Now it’s time to turn up the heat.” Buses will depart from Seattle at 10 a.m. and activity will stretch throughout the day and late into the evening. For more information email Jill@washingtoncan.org or call (2060 805-6678). To sign up to participate go to http://wearewashington.wordpress.com/sign-up-to-attend/

Thursday, April 7th, SEIU will lead action wit the theme “Medical Care and Health Care for All”. Long term care workers, mental health workers, clients and community members will take action to stop the statewide cuts to necessary healthcare services. Starting the day at 11am in the big white tent on the diagonal of the Capitol campus, it will wind down with an action in downtown Olympia. For more information contact event organizer Shaine Truscott (Shaine.Truscott@seiu775.org) …

Friday, April 8th at 12 noon on the Capitol steps. Washington State Labor Rally. sponsored by the WA State Labor Council and its affiliated unions: The theme will be “We Are One-Put People First”. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Working families are tired of being blamed and punished for the damage done by Wall Street banks and corporations.”

PSARA will try to get all of our members who wish to attend this event to Olympia. There will be buses sponsored by various unions and car pools. If you can drive, please email Maureen Bo at adminvp@psara,org or call the office (206) 448-9646. If you wish to attend and need a ride, please email Maureen or call the office.

It is time to turn up the heat. There are many choices for participation. We will work to have a PSARA presence at these events!