People's World Amistad Awards: “Time to Organize!”

As the year comes to an end, the exciting 2023 People’s World Amistad Awards brought together many diverse people from all walks of life, community, elected officials, union members, immigrants and youth, at New Haven’s United Methodist Church to celebrate achievements highlighting a year of hard working-class struggles for dignity, unity and solidarity here in Connecticut and across the country.

This year’s ceremony recognized three working class champions and allies who put the people first. State Senator Gary Winfield, Stacie Harris-Byrdsong, president of AFSCME Council 4, and Luis Luna, coalition manager of Husky 4 Immigrants.

The event also stood “In Solidarity” with the Connecticut for All coalition and the Blake St. Tenants Union who have been on the ground shifting power back to the people’s needs.

Unite Here Local 34 leaders Ken Suzuki and Barbara Vereen welcomed everyone to their meeting home and announced with Local 33 organizer Paul Seltzer to a standing ovation that Yale’s graduate worker union just reached a tentative agreement with the University after 33 years of organizing and nine months of contract negotiations.

The Amistad Awards are presented annually by the People’s World on the occasion of the anniversary of the Communist Party USA, in the spirit of building unity against racism, red-baiting and all forms of bigotry, and standing for workers rights, equality, peace, democracy, and a better world.

The program included a video CPUSA at 104: Labor Tributes featuring solidarity testimonies from nine labor leaders in Connecticut reflecting strikes and struggles over the decades.

The renowned jazz drummer and reggae percussionist Pheeroan akLaff and his band kept the energy upbeat during the event including lyrics for a ceasefire. Son Chaneques Rebeldes also performed.

In their remarks, the Awardees emphasized the need to organize together to protect democratic rights and win economic and racial equity. “We can't wait,” said Senator Winfield, following the call by Stacie Harris-Byrdsong that “we must recognize the power we have in this shared community,” and Luis Luna's warning about the plans of the right-wing 2025 project to destroy all rights.

After the awardees impactful speeches, Joelle Fishman and Jahmal Henderson, organizers with the Connecticut Communist Party gave a call to action. The evening’s festivities ended with a call for attendees to sign postcard for a ceasefire to Congress.