Cummings: MLK Day is a Call to Stand Together against Injustice and Hatred

CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings, who heads CWA's Human Rights Program, issued this statement as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

Today, across our country, workers and civil rights activists, people of faith, human rights activists, and many others are standing together and standing strong, ready to defend the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King and so many others.

We won't allow the decades of progress that enabled working people of every color, nationality, and creed to be overturned. We won't allow the voting rights of citizens to be diminished or worse, taken away. We won't stand by as discrimination against LGBTQ persons is sanctioned. We won't permit our country to be tarnished in this way.

Across the country, Americans are observing the birthday of Dr. King, at religious services, teach-ins, parades, and by spending the day in public service. We must honor Dr. King's words, that "our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," by committing to the fight against injustice, discrimination, hatred and ignorance, for as long as it takes.

Like Dr. King, "we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." I know that all of us working together can achieve this dream.

Here are some MLK observances scheduled for this weekend:

• In Houston, CWA, the Transport Workers, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and the Houston Black Heritage Society have a weekend of events planned, including community service at the Houston Food Bank and beautifying the MLK memorial; religious services, and the 39^th annual parade honoring Dr. King.
• In Washington, D.C., CWA activists will join a weekend of events and action honoring Dr. King and the fight for civil rights and justice. Events include a prayer service on Jan. 15 and a day of service on Jan. 16, joining efforts to help homeless people and work on building maintenance and improvement projects as part of Sasha Bruce Youthwork. For more information, click here.
• Local AFL-CIO councils in many other locations are coordinating union community service projects for the Martin Luther King weekend, including in Harrisburg, Pa.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Green Bay, Wisc.; and more. Check with your local union or your local United Way.