Working Class Unity Inspires the Crowd at People's World Amistad Awards

 

By Jahmal Henderson

Solidarity in the resistance movement and celebration of collective action created a powerful and inspiring People's World Amistad Awards themed “Working Class Unity to defend our rights and fight for our future.”

On a beautiful winter evening in New Haven, community activists, labor leaders, students, comrades, teachers, elected officials and allies, gathered at the First and Summerfield Church, home to the offices of Unite Here in Connecticut for the 24^th annual People's World Amistad Awards.

That strengthening spirit was immediately felt upon entering the church, where solidarity and African rhythms filled the air, as dancers performed a traditional dance.  A beautiful 96 page greeting book helped set the atmosphere.

Adam Waters, president of Unite Here Local 33 of educators at Yale welcomed everyone to “The Ami's” and announced to cheers the majority of post docs have signed cards for union recognition.

Emcees Lisa Bergmann and Ben McManus kicked off the awards with a “Resistance 2025” slideshow highlighting the year's courageous actions, rallies, picket lines, and robust union and coalition solidarity.

An inspiring youth tribute marked the 106th anniversary of the Communist Party USA. The activist youth in their teens, 20s and 30s, some in the Young Communist League, lined up shoulder-to-shoulder to deliver a message of unity and organizing to change the conditions they face and make a better future.

“We pay tribute to the CPUSA, for its vision of equality and justice and its constant example of organizing with many other freedom fighters against fascism and for a better world,” they said to applause. “We step forward unapologetic and unafraid, bending the arc of history toward justice. Building a collective vision of solidarity and humanity and upholding the worth of each of us.”

The first Award was jointly presented to Norma Martinez-HoSang executive director, and Constanza Segovia organizing director, of Connecticut For All. Seth Freeman, a 2024  Awardee and president of the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges (4Cs) presented the award, praising their leadership of the multi-racial labor community coalition united to end systemic inequalities and build power for racial and economic justice in Connecticut.

Drawing from her life, family, and educational experiences, Norma said that she “learned early on the critical importance of coalition building and fighting together for what people truly deserve”. She said this history is why the awards hold such a special meaning. “This celebration is not about the individual being honored but all the movements in the room committed to freedom and building a world in solidarity, peace and justice.” 

Constanza spoke about the profound importance of collective action and being part of the larger movement. She stressed, "The truth is that I’m nothing without all of you here, My work has no place if it’s not surrounded by the hundreds of thousands of workers that are members of our coalition, and I find great joy in that truth.”

IAM Local 700 president Wayne McCarthy received the Award from John Harrity, a 2003 Awardee and former president of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists. He praised Wayne for his leadership, as president at three different Pratt & Whitney plants over the years, and called upon everyone to follow this example and get involved.

After sharing his journey through the labor movement, Wayne detailed the historic 23-days in May strike at Pratt & Whitney that won job security, wage increases and improved benefits. The strike made a national impact defying the all-out attack on labor. He described how the 3,000 machinists stood firm. “Our resolve cannot be broken as the rain and cold weather eventually gave way to sunshine as we continued twenty three days on the picket lines in Middletown and East Hartford,” he said acknowledging his children who are among those members.

The final award was presented by 2024 Awardee and 1199 retiree Maribel Rodriguez to Tabitha Sookdeo, executive director of Connecticut Students For A Dream. Tabitha shared the story of her childhood in Guyana and the obstacles she overcame in the U.S., explaining how she channeled those challenges into powerful advocacy for undocumented youth and their families.

“Let us remember that the vast majority of our community is struggling with the effects of greed and a wave of authoritarianism, both local and global. Let us not be divided by identity, but be brought together by our collective struggle as working class people who simply try to make enough to provide for our children and for our aging parents who somehow continue to have to work as they get older and as wage inequality grows even steeper.”

“May we band together to care for one another as our communities come further under attack,” she said.  

A crowd of New Haven students and educators were called forward for recognition “In Solidarity,” with their work for immigration justice by Leslie Blatteau, 2023 Awardee and New Haven teachers union president.

Melony Yuda, a high school leader with CT Students For A Dream, emphasized student activism and the power of speaking out against injustice.

“When young people organize things change, conversations change, policies change, communities change, cause nobody knows what we need better than ourselves ,” she said as gifts of small plants were handed out.

The evening was highlighted with a multi-cultural concert of freedom songs and traditional African dance, performed by Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends.

Scotttesia Marks moved the audience with a beautiful rendition of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come," followed by a lovely performance of Cambia todo Cambia by Teresa Quintana, an Awardee in 2024.

A powerful enactment of Paul Robeson’s "What is America to Me?" was followed by the event's Call to Action presented by Jahmal Henderson and Lisa Bergmann to a standing ovation.

​”We are the multi-racial working class. Our power is in our labor, that creates all wealth, and in our numbers when we are organized. Our vision of equality and working class democracy is our strength.,” said the call.

The People's World Amistad Awards continue to serve as a vital gathering for the movement around the state, strengthening a multiracial, working-class coalition dedicated to defending our rights and transforming our country by prioritizing people, peace, and planet before profits.