May Day Celebration Rallies for "No Cuts-No Layoffs-Tax the Rich"

Three Area Groups to receive Newsmaker Awards

The impact of the economic crisis on workers' lives and the demand for basic change is the theme of this year's May Day celebration of International Workers Day to be held on Sunday, May 3 at 4 pm at the New Haven Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street, New Haven.

The family event, titled “No Cuts – No Layoffs – Tax the Rich,” includes a workers' rights panel, newsmaker awards, music and a presentation of May Day around the world.

Newsmaker Awards will be presented to the public works union in New Haven, UE Local 68-222 for keeping unity among their members against layoffs; the Hispanic Student Union at Naugatuck Valley Community College for mobilizing to keep a soup kitchen in Waterbury from closing; and Health Care for America Now in Connecticut for building a labor-community coalition for universal health care.

Major advances in several countries will be highlighted during a Workers' Rights Panel. Participants include Bill Shortell, president of the Bristol Labor Council, who traveled to Iraq with a delegation from US Labor Against War to witness the formation of a labor federation there. Blair Bertaccini, a leader of AFSCME fromWaterbury, who was an election observer in El Salvador last month will relate the events leading up to the election of pro-socialist Mauricio Funes as president.

New Haven poet and union activist Sharmont Little will report on his trip to Washington DC for the introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act into the U.S. Senate. His remarks will include efforts to organize local labor and community support for this bill which would remove barriers to workers' right to form a union free of harassment or fear of firing.

A unity pledge campaign will be launched to continue building momentum for progressive tax reform by the Connecticut State Legislature in order to preserve much needed human services in our state.

A power point presentation will feature May Day Around the World, “May Day 2009 -- Workers of the World confront the Economic Crisis,” including pictures from mass rallies and strikes in other countries, and the immigrant rights unity march to be held in New Haven on Friday, May 1 at 7 pm on the New Haven Green.

Labor songs will be performed by Frank Panzarella. Children's arts and crafts will be provided. A home made buffet supper will round out the afternoon.

Donation is $5 or what you can afford. Contributions will be accepted for the People's Weekly World fund drive. For information call 203-624-8664

Sign the pledge - Tax the Rich

We invite you to sign the pledge below calling on the State Legislature to put people’s needs first and tax the rich.
This pledge will be printed in the May Day edition of the People’s Weekly World and launched at the May Day rally and celebration on Sunday May 3 at 4:00 pm at the New Haven Peoples Center, 37 Howe St It will then be presented to elected officials, unions and organizations.
Sign the pledge below and return by Saturday April 25.
e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com OR mail: PWW / 37 Howe St / New Haven CT 06511

_____________________________________________________________________________________

No Cuts – No Layoffs – Tax the Rich
No Cortas - No Despidos - Impuestos a los Ricos

We pledge to stand together and reach out with our unions and community organizations to co-workers, friends, family and neighbors. We call upon the Connecticut Sate Legislature:
The top priority in this economic crisis is to meet the needs of the people! Layoffs of public workers and cuts in basic services will make the crisis even worse, and are unacceptable. Stand firm for a truly progressive tax system. Act to eliminate the state spending cap so the people of Connecticut can receive maximum federal funding.

We commit to keep the grass roots momentum going to close the income gap and secure good jobs with union rights; health care; affordable housing; equal, quality public education, and a clean, safe and peaceful environment for everyone living in our state.

NAME NAME NAME NAME
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

__ Please add my name to the “No Cuts -No Layoffs-Tax the Rich” pledge to be published in the May Day edition of the People’s Weekly World. Enclosed is a contribution of $_______________ (suggested minimum individuals $10 or what you can afford; suggested for organizations $100 or what you can afford)

___I will attend the May Day Rally / Celebration on Sunday May 3


NAME (as it will appear in print) ________________________________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS______________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP ____________________

E-MAIL ____________________________________________________________PHONE_________________________

e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com OR mail: PWW / 37 Howe St / New Haven CT 06511.
checks payable to: Peoples Weekly World

Excerpts from National Committee Report

A 12-point program to combat the economic crisis

by Sam Webb

Because of the election of Barack Obama, the American people in their great majority have a leg up, but there is still a long way to go. To his credit, the new president is off to a quick start. In less than three months in office he has: (to read article, click on link)
People's Weekly World on-line

SHEFF v. O'NEILL CASE TURNS 20 THIS MONTH

Twenty years ago our family was asked to be part of an historic Connecticut school desegregation lawsuit that has come to be known as Sheff v. O'Neil. My two daughters where five and three years old at that time. While some progress has been made in desegregating Hartford's schools much is left to be done. Hartford schools remain over 90% minority with only one-third of the entering ninth graders graduating from high school.

When we begun this lawsuit I thought it would take about five years to make substantial progress. After all, Connecticut has consistently been one of the richest states in the USA and remains a "blue state." I was wrong, but the fight continues.

On Monday, April 27th from 5 PM to 7:30 PM we will celebrate the struggle. The event will take place at Starr Hall at UCONN Law School in Hartford, Ct. - Conner of Sherman and Fern Street.

The lawyers involved in the case will speak, as will Susan Eaton of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School and Elizabeth Horton Sheff, whose son is the lead plaintiff in the case.

The event is co-hosted by the Black Law Students Association and the Latino Law Students Association.

-- Tom Connolly