Communities Come Together for Immigrant Rights

Trainings to educate and empower Connecticut residents on their rights in the event of an ICE raid have been taking place across the state organizated by local immigrant rights groups including Hartford Departation Defense, Unidad Latina en Accion, Semilla Collective, IRIS, and statewide groups like the ACLU and Indivisible, legal aid lawyers and unions like the teachers union.

Connecticut law under the Trust Act prohibits state workers from cooperating with ICE, although they cannot obstruct actions by ICE. Cities like New Haven also have laws that prohibit public workers from sharing information with ICE. When hate fliers saying “Get Out” appeared in the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven, city officials responded by clearing them all out. Hate crimes can be reported to the Attorney General's office.

In notes from an ACLU Know Your Rights zoom training last week Shoreline Indivible emphasided “This will be a long haul. As the Rev Dr Martin Luther King said, “A person dies when he/she refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man/woman dies wen he/she refuses to stand up for justice. A man/woman dies when he/she refuses to take a tand for that which is true.”

Actions to support immigrants democratic rights reviewed at the training included accompanying immigrant neighbors to court appointnemts and registering for rapid response if help is needed on an immediate basis. Resrouces are available at the ACLU website and at the City of New Haven website.

 

A flier being circulated in English and Spanish is aimed at helping prepare for ssfety if ICE comes to the door:

CT Tenants Fight for Just Cause Eviction Protections

 

The State Legislature was put on notice this week that tenants and their allies demand passage of extended Just Cause eviction protections in 2025. A capitol press conference organized by the Connecticut Tenants Union (CTTU) and Make the Road Connecticut with 44 partner organizations launched the campaign with participation from Rep Antonio Felipe and Sen Martha Marx, joint chairs of the Housing Committee.

In a message to landlords Felipe said, “Housing is a human right. You have to deal in a fair and equitable way, and that’s what we’re asking.”

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Just Cause eviction protection requires landlords to provide a justification for an eviction—grounds for which are listed in state law—and protects tenants without a lease or who are month-to-month from being asked to move out or evicted for no reason.

Most renters are not covered by Connecticut’s existing Just Cause law, and landlords can force tenants from their homes on short notice by refusing to renew a lease or filing an eviction without any justification, even if the tenant is in good standing.

For more than 40 years, Just Cause eviction protections have covered tenants who are 62 and over or disabled and live in complexes with five or more units. This existing law provides greater housing stability for the state’s most vulnerable populations. Tenants are asking the legislature to expand those protections to all tenants, excluding owner-occupied 1-4 family buildings.

The problems facing tenants in Connecticut are dire. Over 15,759 Connecticut households have been evicted without cause between 2017 and 2024. One in twenty renter households in Connecticut now face eviction, and Connecticut has some of the highest eviction rates in the country, disproportionately impacting Black and Latine tenants who are also more likely to be evicted..

“Corporate landlords are evicting thousands of families with nowhere to go. Whole communities and neighborhoods are vanishing in 30 days. And what’s the reason? Greed,” said Hannah Sajer president of the CTTU. “A no vote against just cause is a vote against the working people of this state.”

Expanding Just Cause eviction protection would prevent an estimated 11% of eviction filings and countless forced moves. Just Cause would also protect tenants from landlords who use no-fault evictions to gentrify complexes or to intimidate, retaliate, and discriminate against tenants. It is a cost-free solution that will help create safe, stable, and affordable housing. 

Connecticut Leaders Challenge Trump’s Federal Cuts Threatening Thousands

 

Reaction in Connecticut and across the country was instant when the White House ordered an immediate halt to federal grant programs, endangering thousands in an act of open class warfare.

“People’s lives and their livelihoods are at stake,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. “The Constitution makes it clear: The power of the purse resides with the Appropriations Committee.” She caled the vicious move “nothing less than highway robbery,” and “President Trumpt's theft of taxpayer dollars.”

Connecticut is one of 21 states filing a lawsuit to end the theft. Attorney General William Tong called the act an “arbitrary and capricious order” violating the separation of powers.

Connecticut for All, a large labor-community-faith coalition of many organizations that provide basic services said, “Despite being temporarily blocked by a D.C. federal judge, this decision risks disrupting essential programs that support our local governments, educational institutions, and community services, which rely heavily on federal funding to meet the needs of our communities.”

At stake are Women, Infants and Children (WIC); Title IX; special education funds; Head Start, home energy rebates; housing for the elderly and disabled; most programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; veteran programs; the Crime Victims Fund; community health centers; substance abuse prevention and more.

“Over 30,000 members of SEIU 1199NE are ready to stand up against this threat, as we have done throughout our history,” said Rob Baril, President of SEIU 1199, “ This latest threat from the administration endangers funding for hospitals, nursing homes, state agencies, and community programs across Connecticut. It is a direct attack on some of our most vulnerable.”

“These programs provide a lifeline to families struggling to make ends meet, ensuring they have the support needed to put food on the table and keep their families stable,” said Karime Pimentel, Naugatuck Valley Project, “Removing these resources only deepens poverty, exacerbates inequality, and places unnecessary strain on local communities and services. At a time when many are still recovering from economic hardships, these cuts are not only heartless—they are short-sighted and harmful to the very fabric of our society." 

“Title I funds are crucially important to sustain the impactful work that takes place in our schools throughout the state of CT,” said Leslie Blatteau, President, New Haven Federation of Teachers Local 933, and AFT-CT Divisional Vice President for PreK12, “If these funds are frozen, our students’ academic, social, and emotional wellbeing will be at risk. As we continue to prioritize our students’ needs, we know we need more staff and more opportunities, not threats of layoffs and shuttered programs as a result of President Trump’s overreach.” 

“The housing market as we know it depends on federal housing subsidies,” said Hannah Srajer, President, Connecticut Tenants Union, “Sudden removal of federal funding to critical housing programs–including homelessness services, rental assistance, public housing, legal aid, and more–will force millions more tenants into eviction and homelessness, leaving huge portions of the working class even more vulnerable to predation, deprivation, and, frankly, death. Tenants must prepare for the worst by organizing ourselves into unions resilient enough to combat the anti-tenant, anti-poor, anti-working class agenda of this administration.” 

“Federal funding is critical to the future of our early education and climate change mitigation. Our Care4Kids and Headstart program provide vital education opportunities that give children a strong foundation for success while ensuring parents can participate in the workforce,” said Travis Woodward, President of CSEA SEIU Local 2001 representing childcare workers, public school employees and state employees, “Work across our state agencies also rely on these federal grants, including at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Agricultural Station. Without federal grants, Connecticut risks the well-being of our children and the safety of our communities and well being of our beautiful state”

“These programs provide a lifeline to families struggling to make ends meet, ensuring they have the support needed to put food on the table and keep their families stable,” said Karime Pimentel, Naugatuck Valley Project, “Removing these resources only deepens poverty, exacerbates inequality, and places unnecessary strain on local communities and services. At a time when many are still recovering from economic hardships, these cuts are not only heartless—they are short-sighted and harmful to the very fabric of our society."

“Cutting funding for school lunch programs would be a direct attack on the health and well-being of our children,” explained Isabel Rivera, Fight for HPS community coalition, “These programs ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to nutritious meals that are essential for learning and growth. For many in our schools this is the only meal they will have. The impact of these cuts will be felt long after the school bell rings, as they set back efforts to build a healthier, more equitable future for all." 

KnowYour Rights and Solidarity Summit Organizing Underway

 

As the fights heat up to protect democratic rights and people's needs in Congress and at the State Legislature, dozens of know your rights trainings by the ACLU, Indivisible and other groups are engaging activists across the state, preparing for what the Trump administration might bring. At the city level whole communities are being organized to protect each other and stand up for their needs.

This is especailly so in New Haven. Tthree days before Trump's inauguration, the City released a Resource Guide for New Residents, prepared along with immigrant rights, legal aid and community groups. The guide affirms New Haven as a welcoming city with information about government and nonprofit resources and services including know your rights, legal services, public safety, family preparedness and emergency planning, schools and education, health and wellness, housing and shelter, among other critical services, available at newhavenct.gov/welcome

At the same time, New Haven Rising is organizing for a Solidarity Summit on Tuesday February 4 at Trinity Temple on 285 Dixwell Ave, saying “We must not give in to feaer and division. We must prepare to stand up together and build a bolder vision of a just future for all the residents of our city and beyond.”

The Summit will address the fact that at the same time many families are struggling to get by, $2.5 billion is being invested in luxury apartments and biotech companies while Yale receives $100 million in tax breaks. The call to the Summit says, “As the right-wing enacts a program based on fear and division that is designed to benefit the wealthy, we must stand together and demand a different vision for our city, state, and country. We must fight to ensure that New Haven is a city that protects all of our rights, particularly those who Trump’s regime is likely to target, while providing opportunity to working families.

The Solidarity Summit is being held “to demand that jood union jobs be availaboe to more of our residents, that housing be safe and affordable, and that our city is fully-funded to support our residents' needs and ensure a just future here for youth and for all.”

“Our Freedom, our future. We are not going back.” CT delegation inspired at People's March in DC

 

When the People’s March was announced for January 18th 2025, the Communist Party USA immediately began mobilizing for a large contingent in DC. The march would cap the strong 60-day response to Trump’s election victory which focused on strengthening our coalitions and building a united front against his fascist agenda. It would be a show of strength against Trump and the MAGA movements threat of mass deportations, attacks on civil and labor rights, and reproductive rights. We would stand with over a hundred working class organizations who have been involved in the struggle for freedom, democracy, and equality. 

The Connecticut contingent of 21 adults and two toddlers,traveled by train to the march. Donations from all across the state flew in to support the group, including some who themselves could not go.

The morning of the march was grey, cold, and damp. That, however, did not reflect the mood inside the city. There was a certain excitement as we could see people walking toward the metro stations, wearing pink hats, some carrying banners. The Connecticut contingent met up before the march, reaffirming the importance of this event. Then, we were off to Farragut square where our Communist Party contingent from many states would meet and where the march would kick off. 

 Every corner of the square was active with speeches and journalists doing interviews. The Communist Party contingent banners were splayed out on the grass. The biggest one, “Our Freedom, our future. We are not going back.” summed up what people were feeling that day on the eve of Trump’s second term. 

The march, which according to organizers was over 50,000 strong, felt like a repudiation of what January 6, 2021 represented. When Trump and his cronies lost the election, they called on their fascist militias to try to overthrow the government in a violent coup. The people lost this election, but we chose the path of democracy and building a mass movement to bring about the change we want to see. This event brought together a very diverse group and causes with a common thread of building people power against Trump’s corporate agenda. 

This was the theme of the rally at the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Memorial where the march ended. Ben Jealous, former President of the NAACP and current Executive Director of the Sierra Club spoke about the fight for a greener and healthier Mother Earth. The march revealed a growing melding of climate change and environmental activism with the anti-war peace movement as we fight to live in healthy, sustained communities.

Beth Miller, Political Director of Jewish Voice for Peace spoke about joining the march with the Palestinian freedom movement to make clear that all of our liberations from the US to Palestine and everywhere in between are connected, and that facism both at home and abroad requires a big broad united front.

Analilia Mejia, co-executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy, warned against apathy in the face of defeat, reminding attendees that freedom and justice is not a final destination but a practice that requires us to wake up everyday and make a decision to either uphold democracy and a government for the people or sit it out altogether. Several speakers called on members of Congress to demonstrate the same level of courage that our communities have long demonstrated in the global fight for justice and liberation.

As we boarded the train back to Connecticut, there was a sense of awe that comes from being part of something bigger, a movement, a historic event. It felt like this was the culmination of years of organizing. The election did not go our way, and we have to reckon with that. But the work that was done to build coalitions, to build unity against the power of the capitalist class, has not dissolved. At the march it was palpable. Our contingent came away with a renewed sense of purpose and comradeship that comes from accomplishing something together. We were proud to have made this trip a succes.

200 Rally at New London People’s March to Defend Democracy

 

NEW LONDON, CONN. A People’s March in downtown New London, Saturday January 18, drew over 200 participants supporting immigrants, reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and workers as part of defending democratic rights.

Rally participants reflected the area’s diversity in gender, race, ethnic background and age. Workers, students and retired came together to oppose the Trump Administrations threats to U.S. democracy and support specific groups targeted by the extreme right-wing.

The local march, one of hundreds across the country, was organized by a coalition of groups including the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregationalist Church of New London, local progressive groups and immigrants rights, women’s and LGBTQ+ groups.

The Call to Action included: “We all march for different reasons. But we march for the same cause: to defend our rights and our future The People’s March is about one thing: our power. It’s a bold demonstration of the resilience of resistance: We march to unite the people who’ve been the resistance for generations-and to welcome even more”\

Speakers included state and local elected officials and representatives of local organizations. Rev. Carolyn Patierno, pastor of All Souls called on participants to meet new people and get them involved in the resistance.

Mayor Michael Passero of New London urged those at the rally not to get discouraged, but to work together to protect those targeted by Trump, specifically ”the undocumented, the people without papers, with us for years and decades, they are a part of us…”.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz confirmed that Connecticut state agencies will enforce State laws that protect women’s protective rights, immigrant, and workers rights. She indicated that reduced federal funding for health, education and social services are a real possibility under the Trump Administration and Republican led Congress.

Attorney General William Tong committed the Connecticut Attorney General’s office to defending those under attack by the Trump Administration, and rights protected under Connecticut laws.

Speakers from local and regional organizations included Liz Gustafson, director of the Connecticut chapter of Reproductive Equity Now; Angela Florez Penilla, a paralegal with Immigration Advocacy and Support Center in New London, and Kris Wraight of OutCT LGBTQ+.who addressed dangers to the trans community and identified capitalism and the military industrial complex as the forces behind the corporate right wing agemda.

This People’s March/rally shows that the resistance in Eastern Connecticut and the Connecticut shoreline is ready to build support for democratic rights in the White House, U.S. Congress as well as in Connecticut.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Call to Action

 

January 20, 2025, will highlight a stark contrast between Donald Trump’s Project 2025 and Martin Luther King Jr.'s final message before his assassination. Project 2025, developed by the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation, advocates dismantling the so-called "deep state" by drastically cutting budgets for government agencies, including eliminating the Department of Education. It also proposes yet another massive tax break for billionaires and wealthy corporations.

In stark contrast, Dr. King’s 1967 book Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? called for a progressive transformation of the American economy. He championed the abolition of poverty through the implementation of a guaranteed income. Dr. King observed, “For racism, poverty, and militarism to end, a new set of values must emerge. Our economy must prioritize human beings over property and profit.”

Dr. King warned of a dangerous agenda: “The segregationist aims to undo all reforms, reinstating blatant oppression or even a form of native fascism within our nation.” He further noted, “Individuals once dismissed as political novelties have become governors or narrowly missed election. Their success is achieved through a toxic blend of bigotry, prejudice, half-truths, and outright lies.”

Dr. King’s call to action resonates now more than ever: “Structures of evil do not crumble by passive waiting. If history teaches us anything, it is that evil is recalcitrant and determined, and never voluntarily relinquishes its hold short of an almost fanatical resistance. Evil must be attacked by a counteracting persistence—by the day-to-day assault of the battering rams of justice.”

-- Tom Connolly

Connecticut For All Coalition Presents 2025 Equity Agenda

 

Days after the legislative session began, nearly 200 people filled the Logislative Office Building with Connecticut For All coalition to present the 2025 Equity Agenda - a roadmap for Connecticut to lift up all of our community members. Lfocusing on different specific needs, they all emphasized the need to take down the roadblacks of fiscal austerity that are harming the people of Connecrticut despite a large budget surplus.

The coalition's recommendations include introducing fair tax structures that ask the wealthiest residents to contribute their fair share while expanding support for working families through targeted investments in education, affordable housing, and healthcare. The 2025 Equity Agenda builds on years of grassroots advocacy, with community, faith, and labor leaders at the forefront of this growing movement.

“Year after year we have returned to this building to do the work of the people. We return inside of a

rhetorical milieu of equity,” said State Senator Gary Winfield, “Because we continue to fail to make the necessary investments in the very programs that hit the root causes of inequity- housing, education, healthcare, public services those words serve only as platitudes with little if any meaning in the lives of the many who need them to be our call to action. We cannot continue to allow our upside down tax structure and irresponsible fiscal

policies dictate our investment decisions and the chance at a better Connecticut.”

“Our constituents elected us this past November to be their voice at the Capitol as we fight for the critical investments our communities need, investments that have been drastically underfunded for too long,” State Rep Jillan Gilchrest, of West Hartford emphasized. “The legislature has the power - and numbers - to make bold changes to our fiscal policies and tax system so that they work for all of Connecticut and move our economy forward in a positive growth direction,” she added.

“The Equity Agenda represents a roadmap to a better future for Connecticut - one where workers are valued and protected, where families have the keys they need to thrive, and where our state’s economic health is directly tied to the strength in our communities,” said Rob Baril, President of SEIU 1199, “For too long, working families have had to make difficult choices while our state siphons off billions and protects the ultra-wealthy and corporations from paying their fair share. It’s past time for our legislators to stand up and address the issues that we elected them to fix.”

“Despite undocumented immigrants contributing $406 million in annual contributions to state and localtaxes, most of us cannot see a doctor because of our status,” said Valentina Diaz, member of CTStudents for a Dream and HUSKY For Immigrants, “Connecticut residents should be seeing our taxdollars invested in the programs that support our communities, not paying an old debt at an irresponsible rate while watching our urgent needs multiply. How many more of us have to needlessly suffer from preventable illnesses and conditions until we see the modest investment we need?”

“The reality is, the low pay makes it hard to attract and retain staff. I often work 16-hour shifts because there simply isn’t enough staff,” said Meriam Robinson, LPN, a Nursing Home Worker at Trinity Health, “My coworkers and I are burned out, mentally and physically. I’ve gone from being someone who never struggled with depression to now relying on medication just to cope with the stress of this job. And yet, I advocate for my residents, ensuring they get the food, care, and resources they need, because if I don’tstand up for them, who will?”

“Despite dedicated educators, the limited resources, large caseloads, and insufficient training widened my son’s achievement gap while he attended New Haven Public Schools,” said Jennifer Graves, VP of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, Parent & Special Education Teacher, “Even though his school wanted him to succeed, they could not afford to do more. When we transferred to our home district inNorth Haven, he gained access to specialized programs and smaller classes that transformed his schoolexperience, displaying a stark disparity between two districts just 10 minutes apart. Zip codes must no longer determine educational opportunities.”

“When looming cuts to federal funding, and an over-reliance upon fiscal guardrails threaten our statebudget, one common-sense solution would represent a direct investment in our people – without a dollar being spent,” said Zach Postle, leader with the CT Tenant Union, “For over 40 years, Connecticut’s“Just Cause” law has prohibited no-fault evictions against renters who are 62 years or older, or have a disability, and live in a building with 5 or more units. The simple question is, why don’t we extend these protections to everyone?”

CT ACLU Organizes “Firewall of Freedom”

 

Concerned with the future of democratic rights in a second Trump term, 250 people filled the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme to solidify their resistance. The meeting was one of eight called by Connecticut ACLU to share Trump’s day-one plans and their “Firewall of Freedom.” response.

Trans and migrant communities will be the first targets. Specifically, Trump will likely use executive orders to roll back educational protections for trans gendered students. Over time, Trump and the MAGA majority in Congress will move to add conditions to federal dollars to states as a way to further curtail LGBTQ+ rights by labeling the LGBTQ+ community as “obscene,” along with mandates to force “patriotic” speech in schools.

The history of placing conditions on federal funds includes the example of encouraging states to raise the drinking age to 21 as a condition of getting federal money for roads.

Accepting conditions on federal funding is not a requirement. States can choose to reject MAGA dictates and fund their programs directly to the extent possible. Participants in the meeting were urged to call on Governor Lamont to reject any federal dollars that contain MAGA conditions: and at the same time roll-back the fiscal “guardrails” that greatly limit state spending on peoples’ needs.

To carry out his threat of mass deportations, Trump may declare a state of emergency allowing the military and national guard to conduct violent and aggressive raids on migrant communities. ICE raids may become more common in Connecticut. The ACLU has been working closely with elected officials throughout the country and Connecticut to prepare for a Trump sham “national emergency.”

Efforts are also underway in the General Assembly to strengthen Connecticut’s privacy laws and remove unnecessary citizenship questions used by ICE and right-wing groups to target migrant communities. CT ACLU has prepared a Know Your Rights: Immigrants Rights pamphlet on what to do if your community is being raided by the federal government: available at: https://www.acluct.org/en/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

Endangering women's’ rights and the right of a woman to choose to have an abortion, extremist groups and large companies will likely be permitted to buy, sell, and share private medical data, violating the privacy of women’s healthcare decisions. In addition to pushing for stronger privacy laws, the CT ACLU has launched an Abortion Legal Hotline: 833-309-6301.

In preparation for the first 100 days Trump assault, participants were urged to get educated and organize.

Machinists and Food Service Workers Stand Strong

As the country braces for a second Trump term, workers across Connecticut are stepping up their organizing, demanding decent wages and conditions as corporate profits continue to skyrocket. Rallies by IAM and Unite Here this week are building solidarity, determination and hope.

IAM Local 700 and 1746 members rallied outside Pratt & Whitney in Middletown to protest recent furloughs of hundreds of workers in advance of contract negotiations.. Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of the profitable RTX Corporation, said they were “cost saving to remain competitive,” yet the company has $100 billion of back orders.

Joined by other unions and elected officials, the Machinists said the furloughs hurt their families and the local economy. A key issue in upcoming contract negotiations will be job security, ensuring work remains in Connecticut into the future. The IAM has called on Pratt & Whitney to stop moving production out of state to nonunion areas. In the1980s in Connecticut 38,000 people worked at Pratt & Whitney, down to 11,000 today, as the company invests millions out of state.

In New Haven, Unite Here 217 school cafeteria workers who have been without a contract since June, are picketing outside the Board of Education, and turning out at Board of Education meetings demanding a fair contract and a decent living. The cafeteria workers serve millions of meals to New Haven's children, but their wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, leaving them pooer now then in 2020.

“We are fighting to ensure that every worker in New Haven has access to a good union job that provides economic security and dignity,” says Scott Marks, director of New Haven Rising.

Betty Alford who has served children at Truman School for 32 years said, “I love what I do. But I also love to be treated fairly. We deserve a decent contract. I help to raise my four grandchildren, and after inflation, I need a raise to pay my bills and put food on my table.”

For Pratt & Whitney workers and school cafeteria workers alike, their organizing is part of a rising movement of workers ready to do what it takes for the dignity of their work, pushing back against corporate greed and standing together for stronger protections and benefits.

Connecticut celebrates historic victory as WEP/GPO is repealed

Teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public service workers in Connecticut and across the country are celebrating after a historic vote by the Senate and bill signing by President Biden to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). After 40 years, this unjust policy— which stripped millions of public servants of their earned Social Security benefits—has finally been overturned.

“Together we made history,” said Connecticut Education Association (CEA) President Kate Dias during a press conference at the state capitol. “This monumental victory is a testament to the perseverance, determination, and strong union activism of teachers and public servants. The repeal of WEP and GPO ensures that educators and other public workers will receive the retirement benefits to which they are rightfully entitled. It’s a new day for fairness and justice.”

In Connecticut, repealing the WEP will affect over 22,000 and repealing the GPO will affect nearly 10,000 Social Security beneficiaries. It will be retroactive to 2024.

In a 76 to 20 vote, the U.S. Senate ended the injustice of WEP/GPO, with Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy standing alongside a bipartisan coalition of their colleagues. This follows last month’s overwhelming bipartisan House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) by a margin of 327 to 75.

In a signing ceremony at the White House, President Biden was introduced by Bette Marafino, president of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans and chair of the Repeal WEP and GPO.National Taskforce that met regularly on zoom for four years, starting out with a few ARA chapters and blossoming into a committee of 70 from many public sector unions coast to coast..

Marafino recalled her grandmother's fear of ending up in the poor house just a couple of blocks away where she would bring fresh baked bread. It was Social Security that enabled her to live a dignified life.

Connecticut ARA, CEA and AFT Connecticut played a pivotal role in this victory, lobbying members of Congress, working with unions across the country, and participating in numerous actions, press conferences and conferences to get this bill passed.

Dias and DeLancey spoke of being at the national labor news conference where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dramatically committed to bring the bill to a vote. Connecticut members of the National WEP/GPO Repeal Task Force watched the Senate vote virtually in the early hours.

Dias said, “This victory belongs to every teacher, every firefighter, every police officer, and every public servant who stood up and said, ‘Enough is enough.’ Together, we flooded Congress with over 130,000 emails from people in all 50 states. This victory proves the power of our union, the strength of our collective voice, and the possibility of achieving what once seemed impossible. Future generations of educators and public servants will benefit from our efforts, and that’s a legacy we can all be proud of.”

Speaking at the state capitol, Mary Moninger-Elia a retiree of AFT Connecticut, described her own experiences being denied $400 a month in earned benefits when she retired due to the WEP/GPO. “And then it became more devastatingly personal two years ago when my husband died, and though he had paid his Social Security for over 40 years, as his wife I got nothing,” she said.

“I believe that getting people out of their silos helped,” Moninger-Elia said, crediting Bette Marafino. “We started doing what we called the Hollywood Squares on Zoom meetings, where we would see one another, so we got to know one another that way, and we planned the strategies.“

Blumenthal and Congressman John Larson have previously introduced the Social Security 2100 Act, which in addition to repealing the WEP and GPO, would provide across-the-board benefits increase, improve the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), and guarantee long-term stability for the Social Security Fund by ending the cap on payments for the hightest earners.

Solidarity Message: “This is the time to rededicate ourselves as organizers”

Addressing the People's World Amistad Awards alongside members of his union, Rob Baril, president of SEIU 1199 NE, who accepted the Award in 2020, called for increased organizing. Excerpts follow:

“ The Amistad Awards for generations has played an incredibly important role in bringing together folks in community, people who are long distance runners in the fight for justice. That is more important now than at any point in our lifetimes.

“ We're weeks away from a very tumultuous and intense period for working class people in this country and around the globe. The Amistad awards helps to strengthen our spirits. This is the time to rededicate ourselves not just as activists, but as organizers.

“ Our role is to bring together others in greater and greater numbers, uniting the power of working people white, Black and Brown, understanding that the things that unite us are much more powerful than the things that divide us.

“The MAGA movement wants us to believe that we cannot win, that those who believe in something other than greed and mean spiritedness are alone. This is a time to renew our understanding that organizing is life for those who believe in a more just world.

“Our members in health care during the pandemic, felt those feelings of being abandoned, of defeat. And in our union, they found a place to come together, to unite and to find some justice.

“We lost track of our lost souls. We also lost track of the number of civil disobedience actions, the number of rallies and demonstrations and pickets, the number that went out on strike, and all of the fights, all of our struggles that made a difference.

“And that's the spirit that we're going to have to keep really close to our hearts and renew as we move forward. So I ask each of us to use this event to get us ready to bring the best of ourselves to the fights in 2025 and beyond.

“This year thousands of nursing home workers are prepared to strike. We have contract negotiations for group home workers that care for the mentally ill and the addicted with less and less resources at a time of greater and greater need. We are going to keep showing up and demanding that health care is a right for all, not a privilege for the few.”