Gun Control on the Agenda

Gun control advocates are demanding action by the State Legislature to stop the flow of guns into our communities and for gun safety. In opposition, gun manufacturers and the NRA are spending large sums to lobby against any measures for safety and regulation.

After the shooting spree in Newtown, the Connecticut AFL-CIO issued a statement concluding:

"In time of tragedy, the union movement often turns to a statement by Mother Jones who said 'mourn for the dead and fight for the living.' Today, as we mourn for the dead in these very dark days, we must also pledge to fight for the living. We need to work together for a nation where people can live without fear of random and senseless violence, where workplaces are safe from danger so all workers can go home to their families at the end of a work day, and where children can go to school to learn and grow."

The statement pays tribute to all the union members who lost their lives or put their lives at stake during the tragedy including the teachers and principal, the custodians, nurses, office workers, police, fire and dispatchers, saying"The outpouring of support around the world gives hope that what happened in Newtown has galvanized us to put an end to senseless violence that has taken the lives of countless victims throughout this country on an almost daily basis."

Since the Newtown shooting spree 915 people have been killed by hand guns. While prohibitions on assault rifles are critical, if the proliferation of hand guns is not addressed daily tragedies, especially in our cities, will continue.

On February 14 at 11 am a state-wide March for Change to demand safe gun laws in Connecticut will be held at the state capitol. Information is available at marchforchange.org

A public hearing about gun safety and gun policy will be held Monday, January 28, at 10:00 am in the CT Legislative Office Building Room 2C. School safety will be the topic of a hearing at 9:30 am on January 25. Mental health will be discussed at a hearing at 10:00 am on January 29.

32 BJ MARCH FOR SECURITY OFFICERS

SOS SECURITY OFFICERS MARCH

DATE: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

TIME: 4 PM

PLACE: 165 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT

In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., killed while fighting for Memphis sanitation workers on strike in 1968.

SOS Security Officers March for decent wages and benefits. March for job security. March for respect on the job. Join us!

For more information, contact Erika Brown at (404) 721-9274 or Gabriel Acosta at (860) 913-6319.
Posted by Tom Connolly

King Inspires Social Justice Actions

Marches, festivals, rallies and public service events mark Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. in Connecticut this year. King's leadership for social justice is a beacon in the prolonged economic crisis.

Many National Day of Service events across the state are geared to provide relief to unemployed and low wage workers including coat giveaways, food drives and help to homeless shelters.

In New Haven, the Shiloh Baptist Church was overflowing as the Love March honoring King's legacy continued for the 43rd year on his actual birthday, January 15.

High School in the Community's Social Justice Teach-In will include New Haven community organizations. The Connecticut People's World table at the Peabody Museum's King celebration will offer children the opportunity to draw posters on the Emancipation Proclamation anniversary theme "Because I am free I can...."

King's alliance with the labor movement has inspired 1199 strikers at four Health Bridge nursing homes in Connecticut to march with the NAACP in Stamford on Monday, January 21 at 10 am around the theme, "Power of the People - Working in the Community."

On Wednesday, January 23 at 4 pm an SOS Security Officers March will be held remembering that King was killed while fighting for the rights of Memphis sanitation workers in 1968. The march will start at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford to demand decent wages and benefits, job security, and respect.

A Presidential Inaugural Ball will be held at the Omni Hotel in New Haven on Monday evening to benefit New Haven Works, the jobs pipeline which was created last year by the newly elected Board of Aldermen, many of whom are union members.

Also on Monday, a rally for national immigration reform will be held outside the New Haven federal courthouse on Church Street at 4 pm.

Events also link King's legacy to the call to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision which allows unlimited money to flow into the political system. Common Cause and Connecticut Citizens Action Group will rally on Saturday, January 19, the 3rd anniversary of the decision, at 1 pm on the Green in New Haven to get money out of politics.