Oct. 15 March to DC's New MLK Memorial Will Focus on Jobs, Justice

CWA members will join fellow activists for workers' rights and social justice in a march to the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial on the National Mall on Saturday, Oct. 15, an event postponed in August due to Hurricane Irene.

Billed as "The Emancipator to the Liberator" rally and march, it starts near the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the new MLK memorial.

CWA President Larry Cohen joined National Action Network organizers for a press conference to announce the event and emphasize its importance to workers and to the growing movement to rebuild America's middle class.

"Dr. King would remind us that our rally and march isn't about a monument, it's about a movement," Cohen said, reminding Americans that about 30 percent of all U.S. private-sector workers had collective bargaining rights during King's era. Today, it is 7 percent.

"Facing this reality, the fight for jobs with justice is more critical than ever," Cohen said. "As President Obama said in his jobs speech, we need a race to the top for jobs and social justice, not a race to the bottom."

Cohen is encouraging all area CWA members and their families to participate. CWAers will meet at headquarters at 9:30 a.m., and water, box lunches and Metro cards will be distributed. Click here for more details.