CWAers Join Thousands for Jobs, Justice March to New MLK Memorial

CWA members, their families and CWA's giant puppet marched to the new MLK memorial last weekend with thousands of other union and civil rights activists.

Calling for jobs and economic justice, CWA members were among thousands of Americans who marched last Saturday to the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on Washington's National Mall.

Unions and civil rights groups joined together for the march and rally, one day before the new memorial was officially dedicated.

Local 3204 President Walter Andrews of Atlanta led the CWA delegation and denounced Congress for its inaction on the country's jobs crisis.

"As we dedicate this monument to Dr. King, we have another set of eyes watching these mean-spirited Republicans and these weak-kneed Democrats," Andrews said, as reported by NPR. "They need to stop playing games with America's working class people and put America back to work now."

CWA Local 3024 President Walter Andrews

Speakers criticized Senate Republicans for refusing to let President Obama's jobs bill even come to the floor for a vote. The crowd chanted, "Pass This Bill! Pass This Bill!"

King's son, Martin Luther King III, told the crowd that if his father were alive, "he would be right here with all of us — involved in this demonstration today."