Amistad Awards Celebratory and Resolute

A celebratory and resolute crowd filled First and Summerfield United Methodist Church for the People's World Amistad Awards on Saturday, December 8. Community activists, union members, elected officials and leaders of immigrant rights and other movements came together for the event, "United in Struggle for a Better World."

Following an intense year of door knocking, marches and direct action rejecting division and bigotry that won many election victories, the event brought together diverse allies to recognize the awardees who represented a broad range of struggles in this period.

The spirit of unity that "we're all in this together" was expressed from the beginning of the program with solidarity for Nelson Pinos who has been living in sanctuary at the church for over a year. Daughter Arlly, age 13, speaking on behalf of the family shared the pain and hardships this year has meant. The audience was deeply moved and responded with an outpouring of financial support at the dinner held in their honor following the program.

Multi-cultural performances further uplifted the audience and brought people together, including Son Jarocho, Komposure, and the St. Lukes Steel Band.

Special recognition was given to Chaz Carmon for his tireless work as director of Ice the Beef, a performing arts anti-violence youth group, and his work with New Haven Rising's jobs campaign.

The three Amistad Awardees, Shellye Davis, Louise Simmons and Eva Bermudez Zimmerman gave powerful messages of hope and struggle on behalf of the needs of working class people for equality and social justice, which will be made available.

A call to action was delivered by State Rep. Robyn Porter who called for continued action to applause as she declared "the time is now for paid family and medical leave, the time is now for a living wage, the time is now for criminal justice reform."

The event was hosted by the Connecticut People's World Committee on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Connecticut Communist Party USA. In her remarks, Joelle Fishman, Chair of the Connecticut CPUSA, urged those present to continue to keep up the street heat and be the "wind beneath the wings" of people's representatives like Rep. Robyn Porter, State Senator - Elect Julie Kushner and others.

The event was opened with a welcome to the church by Pastor Vicki Flippin.