MLK Day message: Fight for jobs, justice

Activists around the country marched and rallied to demand jobs on Jan. 18 in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Chicago WW photo: Jill Hill

Over 200 people marched in Chicago to commemorate King’s legacy in the struggle against racism and for all workers’ rights. The “March for Jobs and Public Services” was called by a coalition of community, labor and political groups. Marchers included students, teachers, Chicago Transit Authority workers, social workers, activists for single-payer health care and local progressive groups. They demanded public tax dollars be used to create jobs and preserve public services.

The march began at the CTA, which is planning to lay off over 1,000 bus drivers and maintenance workers Feb 7. It stopped at the Board of Education, which had announced the closing of more schools and layoffs as it continues to attack public education and the teachers union. The march ended with a rally at the State of Illinois Building, where speakers demanded public officials make the rich pay for the economic crisis they created, not poor and working people.

Atlanta Photo: Al Viola

Thousands marched in Atlanta’s annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Led by members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and other unions, the line of college and high school students, children, church groups, contingents from the Caribbean and Africa, death penalty opponents, community organizations and peace and justice forces stretched down Peachtree Street on its way to King’s gravesite on Auburn Avenue.

The loudest and most spirited section of the march was organized by the International Action Center, the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, the Hunger Coalition, Veterans for Peace, the Georgia State Progressive Student Alliance and others. They chanted nonstop, “Jobs, not war! That’s what we’re marching for.” Hundreds of people along the sidewalk, block after block, joined in, making it clear that King’s demand for “Jobs or income now!” is still necessary today.

“Jobs not war!” chanted marchers at the seventh annual Detroit M.L.K. Day celebration. Young restaurant workers fighting for justice led the march, along with giant puppets of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., César Chávez and Ella Baker. Events included a fiery rally and youth cultural presentations. Detroit City Councilperson JoAnn Watson reviewed the deep connections Dr. King had with African Americans and the labor movement in Detroit. Rev. Edward Pinkney from Benton Harbor, Mich., who was unjustly imprisoned for fighting to stop Whirlpool Corporation from stealing land from the African-American people in his community, said it was time to stand up against injustice.

The Rev. Thomas Smith from Pittsburgh’s Monumental Baptist Church gave a sweeping address intertwining Dr. King’s writings with the colonial devastation of earthquake-wracked Haiti, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and economic injustice at home. To a cheering crowd, Smith called for marching for jobs in Washington, D.C., on April 10, the 75th anniversary of the Works Progress Administration.

Restaurant Opportunity Center workers from the upscale anti-worker restaurant, Andiamo, described their struggle. High school student Evelyn Galvin from Latinos Unidos called on everyone to join with immigrant workers on May Day to march for justice. Welfare Rights leaders spearheading the local organizing for the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit June 22-26 appealed for more community involvement in that process.

Jill Hill, Cheryl LaBash and Dianne Mathiowetz contributed to this report.