People's World events inspire unity to Reconstruct the Dream

Reconstructing the Dream was the theme of a march and two powerful events in Hartford and New Haven for the 44th People's World African American History Month Celebrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr fifty years after his assassination and W.E.B. DuBois on the 150th year of his birth.

Despite rain, the march, organized by New Haven Rising, Ice the Beef and New Elm City Dream / YCL, brought a crowd to the historic Peoples Center. Rev Scott Marks dedicated the march to Bishop Charles Brewer, COGIC and Delphine Henry, AFSCME representing the two national organizations mobilizing for April 4th in Memphis Tennessee.

Union members, concerned residents, clergy, youth of all races and ages proceeded throughout the Dwight neighborhood to Troup School chanting "Jobs for youth,..Jobs for All ....S-T-O-P the violence." Residents looked out of widows and stood on porches with their smartphones taking pictures and waving.

At the school, in a momentous speech, Rev. Scott Marks emphasized the importance of grass roots leadership, and Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr's lessons on the common struggle for racial equality, economic justice and peace. He shared his experience as chair of the national Black Leadership Committee of Unite Here, and spoke of love as the guiding force to organize for social change. He called for unity to uphold the rights of unions and communities and win justice in these times.

The program also included African drumming by Brian Jarawa and friends, a dramatic presentation by Ice the Beef, presentation of Arts and Writing Competition prizes, remarks by Fatima Rojas supporting a sanctuary city ordinance, and a tribute video remembering Dalzenia Henry, Grace Cummings and Emma Fair which was directed by Jahmal Henderson and Mark Winters.

In Hartford the night before, the crowd that filled the King-Davis Labor Center enjoyed the same tribute video and performance by Ice the Beef. Barbara Vereen, Chief Steward of Local 34 at Yale give the keynote address. She is part of the national Unite Here Black Leadership Committee which Rev Marks chairs. Its mission is "to train new African American union leaders." Vereen discussed the work of this progressive labor group as well as her own journey to ensure a voice for all among the leadership of her union.