Labor Day actions take the streets coast to coast

DETROIT—Roughly 1,000 “Workers over Billionaires” marches and protests were held across the country on Labor Day to oppose the billionaire-backed Trump administration’s attacks on workers, their unions, and their families. The actions across the country included large demonstrations in Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and workers actually walking off the job and striking in Houston and Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Labor leaders around the country spoke out against the capitalist class and their bought-and-paid-for political cronies in Washington, D.C. for “rigging the government and economy” against workers—immigrant and non-immigrant, organized and unorganized—the dismantling of trade union rights, collective bargaining agreements, job safety programs, as well as cuts to renewable energy jobs, Medicaid and critical institutions for workers such as the National Labor Relations Board.

“This is a government that is by, and for, the CEOs and billionaires,” declared AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler at a massive Labor Day march in Los Angeles. 

At Detroit’s Labor Day march and rally, several thousand trade unionists and their allies marched down Michigan Avenue to the historic Michigan Central Station in Corktown. The Michigan Building Trades Council, along with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Service Employees (SEIU) were flanked by the Teamsters, Nurses, Letter Carriers, Teachers, Firefighters, Government Employees, Postal Workers, and a hundreds-strong “Labor for Palestine” contingent.

Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, spoke out fiercely against rampant corporate greed, so-called “free-trade deals,” and the billionaire corruption of our political system.

Connecticut

Labor Day in Connecticut kicked off on Friday as the annual Labor Day Breakfast hosted by the Connecticut AFL-CIO, filled the Operating Engineers hall in Hamden with scores of union members and leaders, allies and elected officials. The IAM, CWA, Marine Draftsmen and 1199 spoke of their recent strike struggles and victories and called for solidarity in the face of escalating attacks against the right to a union.

Following the breakfast, a press conference with Sen Richard Blumenthal magnified the message. Pledging to fight for workers' rights and calling for mass protests, Blumenthal said, “It is unprecedented in the history of the United States of America that so many rights and protections have been rolled back, lawlessly and recklessly, to the detriment not only of the working people directly affected, but also their families and other workers. Eliminating collective bargaining rights is not only illegal, it’s immoral.”

“President Trump is attempting to silence workers because he knows when workers have a voice, they’ll push back against his authoritarian agenda,” said CT AFL CIO president Ed Hawthorne. “But he’s not going to win this fight, because the American people know that union workers in the labor movement don’t just stick up for ourselves, but fight for everyone.”

New Haven Federation of Teachers president Leslie Blatteau emphasized, “Schools are the pathways to opportunity and the building blocks of a just society. That’s why we are collectively demanding that all elected officials stand with workers and students, not billionaires.”

On Monday, the teachers joined other unions and community leaders with CT for All to knock on the doors of working families in the town of Meriden.

Across the state dozens of Workers over Billionaires protests were held from New London to Stamford with the largest at the State Capitol organized by Indivisible and 50501.

Chicago

In Chicago, over 5,000 workers rallied at the Haymarket Monument, then marched for three miles including at Valor Equity Partners, headed by Antonio Gracias, who heads the DOGE Immigration Task Force, and Target in support of the Target boycott.

On Labor Day, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) joined the national boycott call of Target after the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU-AFT Local 1) passed a resolution last week, joining the boycott. 

“This movement comes at a crucial moment—when American workers find themselves at the whim of billionaires and board rooms that are more invested in money over people,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT, at the Chicago demonstration. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former Chicago Teachers Union member and shop steward, spoke out with a call for “No Troops in Chicago” which the crowd shouted back to him. Then “Invest in Chicago” which the crowd of workers and their allies also chanted back.

Rev. Jamal Bryant flew in from Atlanta to be with the workers in Chicago, he said, indicating that the struggle is a national fight. He said he wanted to support the “most fearless leader in America,” the mayor of Chicago.

“If you want to fight for safety, don’t send in the National Guard—send in the teachers,” said Bryant. He highlighted the inequity when ICE agents make more than teachers. He then excoriated Target, which is on the receiving end of a national boycott for reneging on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies after Trump got reelected. 

“When you mess with our workers,” he said, “you mess with America.” He pointed out that the price of Target shares had dropped and the CEO was compelled to resign. He then went on to call the giant corporations Target and Tesla “enemies of the people.”

“We reject a billionaire’s attack on our city, taking from Medicaid and education,” said Stacey Davis Gates, President of the CTU. “Solidarity is the antidote to white supremacy…Lincoln didn’t free us, we freed ourselves, workers! We built the United States as we’ve known it and now workers will protect it.”

Many religious and community organizations also joined the rally and march, including the Chicago Club of the CPUSA. Elected officials, city council members, Congress members, Cook County Commissioners, State Senators, and State Representatives were also present. 

Houston

In Houston, hotel workers organized with Unite HERE Local 23 launched a first-ever hotel strike at Hilton America’s in Texas, demanding a basic $23 an hour minimum wage, safety improvements, more staffing, and better quality food, among other demands. 

“Last year, Hilton America’s revenue increased by more than 15% to $3 billion,” the union said. “But workers are still struggling to make ends meet…We will be on the picket lines for 9 days to demand better wages because one job should be enough!”

“The workers are feeling this need urgently, so that’s why the decision was made,” said Franchesca Caraballo, President of Unite Here Local 23. “We have to take it up several notches here to turn up the pressure on this company.”

Tenant Unions Join Forces against Mega Landlords

New Connecticut Tenant Union chapters in Avon at Avon Place and in New Haven at Park Ridge have been fighting hard to bring their landlords to the bargaining table—and now, they've succeeded. And they aren't fighting alone. Tenants all across the country are joining in the struggle against landlord greed.

Big news is being made as several new tenants unions in properties for seniors owned by New York based Capital Realty Group are jointly negotiating with their landlord. New Haven's West Hills and Park Ridge Tenant Unions along with Detroit. Michigan's River Pointe Tower Tenants Union came together and held a zoom meeting with Capital Realty Group management demanding pest control. mold removal, repair of HVAC systems and more.

In the meeting Capital Realty made a verbal commitment to recognize and meet in good faith with any tenant unions within the Capital portfolio, to honor tenants right to organize, to sign a non-retaliation notice and hold a follow up meeting to negotiate a formal agreement., set for September 8.

Now Capital Realty Group tenants in Louisville, Kentucky are organizing at the American Village for seniors.

Meanwhile the Avon Place Tenant Union, a chapter of the Connecticut Tenants Union, began collective bargaining with their NYC-based landlord company, Empire Realty. The union’s bargaining committee met with a representative, established terms for the bargaining process, and scheduled a second session with the principal owner, Ahron Rudich.

This was just weeks after tenants first announced their super-majority tenant union.  “My neighbors and I are proud of the work we’ve done to get to this point—to form our union, stick together through intimidation and retaliation, and bring our landlord to the bargaining table with us,” said Amy Arlin, chapter vice president.

Empire Realty (under its property-specific shell company, Avon Place LLC) currently owes the Town of Avon over $1.6 million in unpaid taxes, sewage assessment fees, and tenant relocation costs. The Avon Place Apartments have fallen into significant disrepair and neglect under Empire’s three years of ownership

Esdras comes home and Avelo Boycott expands

This Labor Day weekend highlighted the release of rising Wilbur Cross junior Esdras Zabaleta-Ramirez after his illegal abduction by ICE, and an expanded campaign to boycott Avelo Airlines for their deportation flights.

In an extraordinary victory, Esdras Zabaleta-Ramirez has won his freedom from the Department of Homeland Security, averting deportation. He is now home with his family and able to continue his education after going through a traumatic nightmare.

Esdras, an active participant with CT Students for a Dream, was illegally abducted while working at a carwash. His classmates, teachers and elected officials immediately rallied to his defense. Funds were collected, and a lawyer obtained.

Just as Isdras was about to be deported from a detention facility in Louisiana, legal intervention brought him back to a detention facility in New England and now back to his home and family. DHS is not appealing the decision ordering his release. Esdras received a huge welcome back and will be able to attend his classes and activities at Wilbur Cross High School.

Attentions are turned to the dozens of migrants being abducted throughout Connecticut and detained for deportation, overwhelming the capacities of immigrant rights organizations to obtain legal assistance and help the families affected. A call has been issued for volunteers as the assault by ICE and the Trump administration escalates.

Boycott Avelo Airlines

At a Boycott Avelo information table with New Haven Immigrants Coalition during the annual Labor Day roadrace, Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers said, “We as a teachers’ union believe that we should not put profits over people and that we should not engage in cooperation with a business that is separating families. We want our students and families to feel safe to come to school every day.”

The Boycott Avelo campaign has been expanding. Foxon Law, patrons of New Haven's annual Labor Day road race, declined sponsorship of Avelo Airlines this year refusing to become complicit in the deportation flights harming the immigrant community in the interest of corporate profits.

The City of New Haven has cut all business with Avelo as has the Yale Department of Athletics. Pressure is now being placed on Yale to end all travel with Avelo.

The economic pressure has caused Avelo to close some operations on the west coast. In cities across the country the Boycott Avelo campaign has been picked up by immigrant rights groups until the airline stops all deportation flights and their complicity in separating families.

Food Service Workers Demand Livable Wages

 

On Labor Day week, food service workers at Connecticut's public colleges picketed on Central Connecticut State University’s campus in New Britain demanding a new union contract that provides a living wage and a 40 hour work week.

UNITE HERE Local 217 cafeteria workers at Central, Southern, and Western CT State Universities, employed by the $9 billion multinational food services company, Sodexo are struggling to make ends meet the rising costs of housing and other necessities. Accounting for inflation, they are far poorer now than in 2020.

Carly Ortiz, a food service worker at SCSU, said “I’m a mom of three and my youngest has special needs. My wages haven’t gone up fast enough to cover all the expenses..” She explained that “Every month I’m forced to choose: How much can I pay of my gas bill? How much can I afford to spend on groceries? I’m being forced to choose between necessities. When do I get to breathe?”

  

Many workers at CCSU, SCSU, and WCSU are forced to get second and third jobs, despite working full-time. In one of the nation’s wealthiest states, food service workers at public universities should be able to support their families with one full-time job.

With widespread public support, they stand together to demand a livable wage in their ongoing negotiations for a mew contract. The contracts between the union and Sodexo have expired at CCSU and SCSU. The contract between the union and Sodexo at WCSU expires on September1. 

  

“We have been negotiating for five months now. Our members just want to continue doing what they do with pride every day – feeding the students of Connecticut’s state universities – and get back on their feet with a 40-hour week that lets them pay all their bills and provide for their families,” said Josh Stanley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 217. “But if it’s going to take a fight to get back to the 40-hour work week so people can live with dignity, we’re up for it. We’re used to fighting.”  

Trump “Stop Work” on CT Offshore Energy Project Condemned by Labor and Climate Groups

 

Immediately following a stop work order by the Trump administration halting construction of the Revolution Wind offshore energy project designed to power 350.000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island, demands to continue work came forward from the labor movement, Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs and elected officials. 

“We call on the Trump Administration to reverse this order immediately and let union workers finish the job of building America’s energy infrastructure,” said CT AFL CIO president Ed Hawthorne and Rhode Island AFL CIO president Patrick Crowley adding that “this project is 80% complete, has already created over 1,000 union jobs and 2 million hours of union work, and was fully permitted under federal and state law. Halting it now leaves hundrfeds of workers unemployed and thousands more at risk.”

They concluded that “This stoppage undermines energy security for New England families, raises energy prices, and denies economic opportunities for years to come.”

The Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs (CRCJ) also strongly condemned the order saying, “ The loss of the Revolution Wind project would be catastrophic for Connecticut, particularly for the workers who have been training for this industry and counting on the paychecks and job security Revolution Wind was supposed to provide.

“Revolution Wind created hundreds of union jobs for infrastructure improvements, and over 100 long-term jobs marshaling and assembling turbines at our very own New London State Pier. The project was on track to power 350,000 homes across Connecticut and Rhode Island, providing stable electricity prices locked in for 20 years, and securing New England’s energy future.

“Instead, this abrupt stop-work order threatens to derail years of progress, jeopardize billions in investment, and devastate working families across the region.”

They concluded, “We must not shy away from energy technologies of the future, but double down in our commitment to building them with a strong union workforce. Connecticut workers remain committed to building a resilient, pro-worker clean energy future, and in coastal states like ours, this must include offshore wind. Federal leaders should honor their commitments and allow this nearly finished project to deliver the clean energy and union jobs our region was promised.”

Opposition to ICE Raids Grows in Connecticut

 

Outrage at increasing ICE abductions at courthouses and work sites by masked, unidentified agents is bringing immigrant rights organizations together along with elected officials and other allies across the state, and a federal investigation launched by US Sen Richard Blumenthal.

In recent days groups of armed, masked agents have taken people outside the courthouses in Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford, and also at a carwash in Newington. Observers demanded to see a court ordered warrant, and asked for the identity of the agents, and to know where those kidnapped were being taken. No replies were given.

Immigrant rights groups in Danbury, Norwalk-Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Middletown and Hartford have been organizing support for affected families and have formed Rapid Response teams to let the community know if ICE is spotted in the area.

When Stamford Rep. Corey Paris posted a message for the community to “remain vigilant, stay aware of your surroundings and, above all, prioritize your safety.” and check on concerned neighbors, it was distorted by extremist right-wing groups who falsely claimed he was interfering with ICE and called for his arrest. Paris and his family have been harassed including death threats.

Lt Gov Bysiewicz, the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the State Legislature and other lawmakers convened a press conference to denounce the harassment, uphold the legitimacy of Paris' actions and to call on ICE to stop aiding and abetting extremist groups and threatening elected officials.”

A formal investigation into the enforcement tactics being employed by ICE has been launched by US Sen Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Congressional Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Committee. He is seeking documentation on methods that may result in “over-arrests, unjustified detention, excessive use of force and other potentially abusive tactics,” citing “flash bang grenades, physical violence, tasers, or simply the detention without formal arrest.”

He said the investigation comes following reports of ICE “exceeding its power, using unwarranted and excessive force, unidentified and unmarked agents wearing masks, seizing people who may be in this country, completely lawfully, doing nothing wrong, detaining them.”

“We need every politician, from local to national levels, to stand with immigrants,” Tabitha Sookdeo with CT Students for a Dream said. “This is a moment that demands moral courage, because every day that passes, more families are torn apart, and in Connecticut, we are feeling this deeply.”

“I do not regret choosing compassion, vigilance, and safety for all who call our community home,” said Rep Paris. “While I may carry the weight of criticism at this moment, our friends and neighbors who are immigrants carry the weight of being targeted, silenced, and made voiceless. They live with the constant fear that their families could be targeted, disrupted, or torn apart.”

SOLITUDE

 

by Jahmal Henderson

ln rooms of words, a silent pact I make, Turning pages for a future’s sake. The world outside, a muffled, distant sound, As wisdom’s seeds in solitude are found.

The sun dips low, and starlight takes its place, I walk alone, in time and open space. The old resistance, stubborn, strong, and slow, Fights every step, but cannot stop the grow.

With every line, I shed a past belief, Each starlit stride, a moment of relief. To learn, to know, to mend what was undone, A new self forged, beneath the moon and sun.

Park Ridge Tenants of Capital Realty Group Unionize

New Haven, CT — On August 6th, elderly tenants at the Park Ridge Apartments announced the formation of their tenant union, representing nearly 60% of residents in the 72-unit building, and affiliated with the Connecticut Tenants Union.

Their building is owned by the national corporate landlord, Capital Realty Group (CRG). Tenants described problems with plumbing, electrical work, boiler noises, heating, air conditioning and carpeting. They are the ninth tenants union to officially register with the City of New Haven Fair Rent Commission.

After their press conference, a delegation drove to CRG’s headquarters in Spring Valley, NY to deliver a letter requesting a meeting to collectively bargain and a response within one week. They were met with a sign saying the firm had moved, but the address was an empty office. Finally the tenants taped the letter on the door after being threatened by a tow truck.

At an August 14 press conference to update the public on the union’s efforts to bring their landlord to the negotiating table, Senator Richard Blumenthal called on Capital Realty Group to negotiate in good faith with the union, citing their misuse of federal funds

Capital Realty Group, described as a “leading private equity real estate group,” is a major player in the for-profit affordable housing industry. They benefit from hundreds of millions of dollars in federal mortgages and rent subsidies. They frequently employ a cash-out refinance strategy that depends on cutting expenses and increasing rents at their buildings—worsening living conditions while generating huge profits for themselves and their investors.

.Capital Realty Group has received $7.1 million in federally-backed financing for Park Ridge and also receives HUD-subsidized rent payments monthly for each occupied unit. 

Meanwhile, other tenants of Capital Realty Group are unionizing across state lines. The River Pointe Towers Tenant Union in Detroit, Michigan publicly announced their unionization on August 19th. CRG tenants in New Haven at Park Ridge are hosting a watch party of the media coverage from Detroit and will celebrate CRG tenant solidarity across state lines with a luncheon at their building.

Social Security celebrated on its 90th Birthday

 

The Dixwell-Newhall Senior Center at the Q House in New Haven was decked out with a big sheet cake for the 90^th birthday of Social Security and 60^th birthday of Medicare. The room filled with retirees concerned that Social Security be preserved and expanded, not privatized or shut down and Medicare / Medicaid be fully funded not robbed to pay for tax cuts for the super rich, mass deportations and war in the Billionaire Budget Betrayal.

Alliance for Retired Americans Regional board member Roger Boudreau and national staff member Tommy McLoughlin traveled to New Haven from Rhode Island to discus the attacks on these programs and encourage the retirees to make their voices heard.

The celebration at the Dixwell-Newhall Senior Center was one of many across the country. Another celebration at the Senior Center in East Hartford was hosted by Rep. John Larsen.

The ARA, with 59,000 members in Connecticut, has been in the forefront of the fight to preserve and expand Social Security for the 737,000 retirees, survivors, children and people with disabilities in Connecticut who depend on Social Security to make ends meet. These benefits contribute more than 1.5 billion dollars to the Connecticut economy every month.

The manufactured crisis created by the Trump administration and DOGE puts all this at risk. “This is nothing less than a calculated cruel plan to weaken Social Security and pave the way for benefit cuts or privatization,” emphasized the ARA emphasizing it is not about waste, fraud and abuse.

“The Alliance for Retired Americans is calling on every member of Congress to act,” they said. “and pass legislation that preserves field offices, safeguards our personal data and ensures transparency and accountability.”

Social Security Strong demands included: “Fully staff the Social Security Administration to reduce wait times and ensure high quality service delivered by professionals, not machines. Protect the private information that millions of Americans have entrusted to the Social Security Administration. Make the rich pay their fair share so that we can expand Social Security and keep it strong for the next 90 years.

Unity Rally for a Fully Funded City: When We Fight We Win

Over 1,000 rallied on the hottest day of the year at Scantlebury Park in New Haven, organized by New Haven Rising and Unite Here unions to call for racial and economic justice at a time when billionaires and billionaire institutions have increased their wealth while working people struggle to stay in their homes. Excerpts from a few of the powerful remarks are below.

“I've been a member of 217 for 20 years, I’m a college food service worker, Vice President of our union and I also believe one job should be enough,” said Stephan Alderman, Vice President of Local 217–UNITE HERE, “But as a single father of four with seven grandchildren, I'm finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. For the first time in my life, I had to apply for energy assistance because of this failing economy.”

New Haven Rising Organizer, Abigail Feldman called for a city that provides opportunities for all, “Just a few years ago we came together in our city and we pushed Yale to contribute $52 million more to the city. That wasn’t a gift. That was our power of coming together and refusing to be quiet. That’s the money we are owed. That’s the taxpayer money that has subsidized Yale for years! Now is the time to fight for the people’s endowment! If Yale made different decisions, our city could be fully funded. We could have world class schools here alongside other cities of Connecticut.”

Wilbur Cross High School student, Jonaily Colón, argued, “Our zip code should not determine the quality of education we receive. The color of our skin should never determine our destiny. Students of New Haven schools deserve top education like every single student in this country.” She and Tabitha Sookdeo, leader of Connecticut Students for a Dream, called out ICE for detaining a Wilbur Cross student and noted that the resources dedicated to deporting our residents could be allocated to education and generating opportunity. New Haven Rising Director, Rev. Scott Marks, joined the students in the call to stop deportations and focus on providing economic opportunity for all residents.

Citing similarities of working-class struggle in her Kentucky hometown, Norah Laughter, who is running for Alder of Ward 1, took inspiration from the ways that working people in New Haven have long fought back. She said, “Our wins come from organizing to leverage our strength in numbers as the working class. My message tonight is simple: students must be part of the fight for race and class justice because when we fight together, we win.”

CT Demands: End ICE Dep;ortations, Boycott Avelo

 

In the wake of stepped up kidnappings of immigrants by masked ICE agents with no warrants, the community, city and state officials are demanding an end to this racist violence. Last week when New Haven Wilbur Cross High School student Esdras R was taken during a workplace raid his classmates, teachers and city officials stepped forward, funds raised and a lawyer retained. Esdras had been removed to Louisiana for deported to Guatemala when his lawyer located him and succeeded in his return to a facility in New England while his case is argued.

In the next days six people were abducted in New Britain, where organizing for their defense is underway.

This is a story about racism and profits for the private prison industry. It is a story about robbing communities of $170 billion for jobs, housing, healthcare and education in order to fund mass deportations, wars, and enormous tax cuts for the wealthiest few.

In its drive for profits, Avelo Airlines, based in New Haven, contracted with the Department of Homeland Security to transport immigrants without due process to other countries. In April when this became known the New Haven Immigrants coalition launched a boycott which is now nationwide.

A post from Our Revolution reports: “Public pressure works. After a major backlash over secret ICE contracts, Avelo Airlines is abandoning all West Coast routes. A grassroots campaign in Burbank. California forced their retreat—and the movement is spreading. Over 100 protesters just rallied near BWI airport to expose Avelo’s role in ICE deportations. No state should do business with airlines that profit off immigrant detention and deportation.”

This City of New Haven has banned use of any public funds for Avelo Airlines flights, marketing, branding, advertising or promotion. “Travel should be about bringing people together, not tearing families apart,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “Avelo Airlines' continued participation in and profiteering from the Trump Administration’s inhumane and often illegal immigration policies and ICE’s deplorable tactics is antithetical to our values as a city, and not something we will support with city funds or taxpayer dollars.

Sign the pledge, “We Won't Fly Avelo,” at https://www.change.org/p/we-won-t-fly-avelo-until-they-stop-ice-flights-no-volaremos-con-avelo

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CT Rallies for Families Over Billionaires

 

150 union workers, students, immigrant rights and community activists gathered with Connecticut for All outside New Haven's Brennan Rogers School, closing due to lack of funds, with a clear message: the Governor and Legislature must stand up for working families now.

The national day of action to put Families First over Billionaires was initiated by Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The massive cut to human needs wee accompanied by huge increases in funds for mass deporations and wars.

“We choose families not corporations. We will not be divided, and We Will not Back Down,” said emcee Seth Freeman president of SEIU Local 1973 – 4C's, calling on the legislature and governor to hold a speciall session “to stand up and protect Connecticut residents from death and destruction coming from the Trump administration. and increase taxes on the ultra wealthy by implementing the Finance Committee’s progressive revenue proposals.”

Healthcare workes, students and immigrant youth spoke passionately of the harms these cuts will bring to them and their communities.

“Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents will be directly harmed by these cuts, but ultimately every resident in our state will be harmed, because gutting and shredding the social safety net hurts all of us,” said Freeman.

“Our message to every legislator in our state, is that if you are not in favor of raising revenue – raising state taxes on the same individuals that Trump just gave a tax break to - then you are supporting Donald Trump’s agenda.” he said to loud applause.

“Our message is that if you are not going to stand up now – while ICE is terrorizing our communities, abducting mothers in front of their children – then when are you going to stand up?

'Our message is that if you not going to stand up now – while Yale New Haven and CT Children’s Hospital announced cutting youth gender-affirming care - then when are you going to stand up?”

Families First rallies were held in ten Connecticut towns.

Demands Grow: Bring Esdras Home. ICE Out of CT

 

Last week 18 year old Wilbur Cross High School student and Students for a Dream activist Esdras R. became the latest victim of ICE abduction in New Haven, taken by masked men in unmarked uniforms and cars. Fellow students, educators and city officials are taking legal action and organizing a movement to Bring Esdras Home.

In each abduction case, no required court order has been shown, as the individuals have been “disappeared” to the horror of their family and community.

Esdras was abducted by federal immigration agents while at work. It took days for his principal to discover that he was taken to a detention facility in Massachusetts, then moved to New Hampshire and was not possible to find again until he had been removed to Louisiana.

City officials, Unidad Latina en Accion and Connecticut Students for a Dream are organizing legal support, letters from teachers, and more. The students held a rally outside Wilbur Cross High School, with the support of the principal.

Speakers included his classmates, teachers, State Sen Gary Winfield, and clergy. All had tne same message: Esdras should be in school, not in a detention center far from home. A common commitment was made to stay together in unity until Esdras is returned home and all those detained are released, to uphold New Haven as a welcoming city, and remove ICE from New Haven and Connecticut. Contributions to a legal defense fund can be made at https://giving.classy.org/campaign/710739/donate

Mayor Justin Elicker and School Superintendent Negrón called the detention of Edras by ICE “unconscionable” describing him as a ​“hard working student and a fine young man.”

Edras submitted testimony to the state legislature to expand Husky health coverage, saying ​“This matters to me since I am an immigrant and I am one of the many people who do not have health insurance. We all deserve to live with well-being and without unnecessary suffering, and access to medical care is crucial for this.”

Last month in New Haven, masked ICE agents in unmarked cars seized mother and factory worker Nancy Martinez from her car while she was giving her children a ride to school. Her daughter spoke at a press conference saying “I need my mother,” as the demand was clearly placed “We don't want ICE in New Haven. ICE out of New Haven.”

After weeks in dentention, Martinez was flown in shackles and removed to Mexico, separated from her family.

In response to this expanding tactic by ICE, funded by he Billionaire Budget Betrayal, twenty four state senators sent a letter to the Connecticut Congressional delegation urging support for the “No Masks for ICE Act,” a bill by New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez that would bar ICE agents from wearing face coverings in public and require uniforms displaying their name and agency affiliation.

“One month ago, while masked and without any identification, ICE agents detained multiple Danbury residents outside the Danbury Judicial District building, with the incident appearing to witnesses like dozens of kidnappings.,” said said State Senator Julie Kushner.

“Seeing masked men grabbing people on our streets is very terrorizing - not just for the people being detained, but for the general public as well. It’s reminiscent of the Gestapo in Nazi Germany. In my opinion, Congress cannot pass this bill soon enough.”

A companion bill introduced into the US Senate by Senators Alex Padilla and Corey Booker with 12 co-sponsors including Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The same illegal tactics are being deployed in towns across the country. People's World article, “ICE agents arrest Oregon doctor as he drops off kid at preschool,” reports a similar case at Guidepost Montessori school in Beaverton, Oregon .

“Dr. Mahdi Khanbabazadeh, 38, a chiropractor, was driving to drop off his kid at Guidepost Montessori, a kindergarten daycare program. “

“Witnesses described seeing ICE agents wearing vests and face coverings pulling up in unmarked vehicles.

“A parent of another child at the school, said: 'Our principal came outside and asked for identification, badges, a warrant, that information, and they did not provide any identification or any of that other information, and then proceeded to put hands on our principal.' ” 

“Khanbabazadeh reportedly went through all the hoops of the U.S. immigration system only to end up detained by ICE agents with face masks and unmarked vehicles who refused to provide badges, identification, or a warrant. Rather than taking Khanbabazadeh to the nearby Portland ICE facility, they instead sent him 150 miles away to the Tacoma, Wash., detention center, making it harder for family and attorneys to gain access to him.

The letter to Congress from Connecticut's State Senators urges: “It is of the utmost importance to our democracy, to the future of this country and to the welfare of our citizens, that this unprecedented use of intimidation tactics be severely curtailed immediately.”

Yes to Job Corps

 

Yes to Job Corp, no to Trump’s attack on working class programs!  Inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal work relief programs, the Job Corps has successfully and reliably provided jobs, training, and education to millions of young workers aged 16 to 24 throughout the country since its first campus opened its doors in 1965.

Job Corps in Connecticut has campuses in New Haven and Hartford.  For decades, about 300 students graduate each year and go on to contribute skills and leadership to their communities.

Today, the largely African American and Latino students of Connecticut’s Job Corps programs are in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration’s shameless war on workers.  For months, the Trump Administration has used loopholes and disingenuous legal theories to shutter this successful program.  

Just a few short weeks ago, the program and its allies pushed back in federal court and won an injunction protecting the program.  But, because of a super-majority of conservatives on the Supreme Court, it is not clear how long this injunction will hold.

The young people who are training at Connecticut’s Job Corps are not waiting to see what the Supreme Court will do.  They recognize that public action is necessary to protect Job Corp. They have the support of federal, state and local elected officials and the community.

The Jobs and Unemployed Committee of the New Haven Peoples Center is circulating a petition in support of the 149 New Haven students whose future is threatened by possible funding cuts from the Trump administration.

Standing outside the New Haven Campus, next to Senator Richard Blumenthal, Nahjayiah Munoz, the foreman of the campus carpentry program, shared that she would not have gotten a career without Job Corp, adding “we learned everything we need to do safety-wise, because on the job site, there’s not a guarantee that you’re safe - [Job Corps] makes sure we will be safe.”

Troy Sanders, who became employed as plumbing apprentice through Job Corps, said, “Job Corps is helping me out a lot, to get a good trade.  I know a lot of people that need Job Corps.”

Connecticut Sues Trump over $53 Million in School Funding

 

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 25 states in suing the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary decision to freeze $6.8 billion in funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, including over $53 million for Connecticut schools alone.

Loss of this funding will cause immediate and severe harm to schools nationwide. Already, ongoing summer learning programs have been left unfunded. Tong and the coalition ask the court to declare the funding freeze unlawful – as courts have repeatedly done in other cases filed by Connecticut and the states– and to block any attempts to withhold or delay this funding.

“The White House has dropped an unnecessary and cruel bomb on students and their families. All Connecticut students - not just those most in need - will be jeopardized if local districts are forced to make up the difference. No one voted for starving children of their opportunity to learn. The White House should immediately back off and allow the resources Congress has already appropriated to be directed to classrooms here in Connecticut and across the nation,” said Mary Yordan, AFT Connecticut Vice President.

“Trump and Linda McMahon are stealing from Connecticut schools to fund tax cuts for billionaires, and its our kids and our teachers who are paying the price. We are talking about over $53 million already built into local school budgets in nearly every district in Connecticut for computers and technology, afterschool enrichment and field trips, social workers, English language instruction, teacher training, adult education and more,” said Tong.

“We stopped Trump when he tried to defund Head Start, when he tried to defund disaster relief and energy assistance, when he tried to defund our police, cancer research, and our libraries. We are back in court yet again to make sure our schools and our kids get every penny that our tax dollars paid for,” he added.

The lawsuit seeks both declaratory and injunctive relief—to declare the funding freeze unlawful and block Trump from withholding these critical funds.

Childcare Funding Makes History

 

Connecticut made history this month as the first-in-the-nation to comprehensively address all the challenges in early childhood, offering relief to families across the state.

With families earning under $100,000 eligible for free child care — and costs capped at 7% of income for everyone else —thousands more children will gain access to affordable, high-quality early learning — and for many families, that means free child care for the very first time.

Beth Bye, the state Early Childhood Commissioner, called the legislation a model for the nation

The suite of groundbreaking child care bills, collectively known as the Early Childhood Education Endowment is fully funded at $300 million, unlocking transformative investments in child care and pre-K.

In addition to capping child care costs, the bills raise wages and establish a new health insurance subsidy for early educators, and create a new hospital pilot program to connect new parents to resources.

Make no mistake,” said Childcare for CT Coalition Director Eva Bermudez-Zimmerman, “This win is the direct result of advocacy, organizing, and relentless pressure from parents, providers, and people across the state!” The 1000 grass roots activists calls and emails to lawmakers and 14 childcare rallies led to passage of the 2025 Connecticut Childcare Bill.

“The legislation isn't just a win for families and providers — it's a win for Connecticut at large! When we prioritize early childhood, we prioritize CT's future,” said Bermudez-Zimmerman. “We're building a future where every Connecticut family has access to quality, affordable childcare, where parents can join or remain in the workforce while setting our kids up for a bright, successful future.”

The Office for Early Childhood and Child Care for CT will host information town halls across the state.

“This is a huge win for children, parents and child care providers across Connecticut. From day one, our members have been clear about what we need: affordable and accessible childcare for families and systems that work for both providers and the parents we serve,” said Maria Reyes, CSEA SEIU Local 2001’s Childcare Council President.

Unions Condemn Lamont Veto of Pro-Worker Bill

 

Over 500 public and private sector union members from across the state gathered outside the Governor's Mansion on July 16 chanting: “What do we need? SB 8. When do we need it? Now!” Their picket line filled both sides of the street, overshadowing a Yankee Institute mobile billboard flashing the message: “Do Not Pass SB 8”

The bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment insurance after two weeks. Would Governor Ned Lamont side with the workers who make the economy run, or side with the billionaires who seize all that wealth for themselves?

On June 23 Gov Lamont vetoed SB 8 making his choice clear. He said no to Connecticut workers even though workers in New York and New Jersey have long had this protection.

Union leaders from the Connecticut AFL-CIO, IAM Local 700, UNITE HERE, UFCW Local 371, and SEIU District 1199NE immediately responded..

Wayne McCarthy, President of IAM Local 700 at Pratt & Whitney, just coming off a 23 day strike for wages, pensions and job security emphasized “this legislation is necessary in order to ensure that companies enter into negotiations ready to bargain in good faith.”

“If SB 8 was enacted prior to our strike, there would have been a strong chance that the strike could have been averted all together,” said McCarthy. “Minimally, Pratt and Whitney’s executives would have reached out much earlier to resolve our labor dispute.”

The Connecticut AFL-CIO organized hundreds of testimonies, calls, visits and rallies. “This veto sends a clear message: Gov. Lamont is more concerned with protecting corporate profits than supporting the working people who make our economy run,” said president Ed Hawthorne. “I’d like to remind Gov. Lamont that Pratt & Whitney, Electric Boat and other large corporations are not his constituents. The thousands of hardworking people who work there are.”

Underscoring this critical moment Hawthorne added,  “Protecting working people in our state has only become more urgent since the Trump Administration has gutted the NLRB and severely weakened the ability to enforce existing worker protections.”

 

New Haveners Say “Resist this Endless War”

As the news broke last Saturday that Donald Trump had illegally ordered the bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran, peace activists in New Haven and around the country sprang into action.  A noon time rally at the corner of Park Street and Broadway in New Haven included signs that read "Resist this Endless War", "Silence is Not an Option", and "Bombings Spread Terrorism", as well as a picture of Trump with the words "War Head".  The signs and banners received many supportive honks from cars driving by, with a few drivers stopping to cheer, "Trump's gotta go!" and "Peace!".

The rally participants distributed printed copies to passers-by of a statement that the American Friends Service Committee issued on Saturday, June 21st.  "A clear majority of people across the U.S. political spectrum oppose war with Iran," the statement reads.  "Trump's direct attack on Iran has placed U.S. military personnel and citizens at increased risk...Last week, both the House and Senate introduced 'War Powers' legislation to block the executive branch from taking unilateral and unauthorized action.  We need members of Congress to speak out against this act of U.S. aggression and immediately pass these bills."

The urgent call for peace and avoiding a protracted U.S war with Iran comes on the heels of the growing international demand that the U.S. stop funding the Israeli government's wars on Palestine, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.  The only people benefiting from these horrific wars are weapons manufacturers and Trump's billionaire friends. Trump's billionaire budget is before Congress, threatening the largest transfer of wealth from working class people to billionaires in history and devastates funding for all human needs.. 

Demand Grows: ICE Out Of CT

ICE deportation police have been active in Connecticut, abducting children and parents from the street in unmarked vehicles. The communities where they live are calling for ICE to get out.

In Meriden, Kevin, age 15, was detained just before his graduation and flown to Texas. His family and classmates responded to the horror by organizing a walk in solidarity with him.

In New Haven a mother taking her two children to school was forcibly removed from her car and taken away leaving her children in panic. At a rally at the Federal Building later that week her daughter courageously spoke. “I need my mother,” she said, flanked by Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center and Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers. Mayor Justin Elicker shared his outrage, thinking about his own children of the same age and pledging New Haven will always remain a welcoming city.

In Southington four workers were snatched away from their job at a carwash and arrested. At that moment in Hartford union and immigrant organizations were holding an emergency rally at the State Capitol. It was one of dozens held around the country called by Service Employees International Union demanding the release of their California president David Huerta who was arrested while observing an ICE raid of his workers in Los Angeles. Huerta was released later that day and now faces federal charges of interference.

The rally at the New Haven Federal Building was joined by 150 community leaders, immigrant rights organizations, and allies to denounce this wave of unjust detentions, as well as to oppose attacks on social activists and the growing criminalization of social protest and migrant communities across the United States.

The crowd chanted along with Kica Matos, “We are a city of immigrants. ICE stay out of our city.”

Demands included: An end to ICE raids and the military’s involvement in immigration enforcement; Accountability for all agencies and officials; Protection for the right to protest; ICE out of CT; End Deportations NOW!

Peoples Center Re-opens Jobs and Unemployed Committee

 

Even before the threatened MAGA billionaire budget's massive cuts, as many as 40 percent of people in Connecticut have been living on the edge, struggling with food, housing and financial insecurity. A report from Data Haven shows the emergency need for more funding for basic needs, not less.

Addressing this crisis, the Peoples Center has re-opened its Jobs and Unemployed Committee. During the pandemic the Committee prepared and publicized information about increased federal funding that was available. Now, the information being amplified is where to go as funds are cut.

A Know Your Rights flier issued this week asks, “Worried about cuts to human needs funding? Looking for resources that can help? Turn fear into power. Know your rights. Organize.”

Information about how to “Make Your Voice Heard” features an appeal to call Connecticut Senators Blumenthal and Murphy to demand that everything be done to stop the people-hurting budget now before the US Senate.

The flier lists Resources for housing, food security, healthcare access, immigrant rights and diversity-equity-inclusion. Recognizing that the agencies and organizations attempting to bridge the gap have limited capacity, the Committee is pledged to help navigate resources with those in need as possible.

At the same time the Committee is geared to bring people together to demand fully funded state and cities by taxing the rich and cutting military and deportation funds.

Listed emergency Resources include:

CTLawHelp.org which provides self-help materials on housing, your rights, and how to file a Fair Rent Commission complaint in your town: Call 1-800-453-4420

Connecticut Food Share which has information about local food pantries and community kitchens and applying for SNAP Call 203-469-5000

The Office of the Health Care Advocate assists with accessing affordable health insurance or services, including Medicare, Husky, Access Health CT, Employer-Sponsored Insurance, and TRICARE. Call 866-466-4446

CT Immigrant Rights Community Resources has know your rights videos, legal resources, family preparedness, resources for schools, public events calendar. On-line at https://sites.google.com/view/ctimmigrantcommunityresources/home

State of Connecticut Judiciary Branch has information about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion rights. 1-800-833-8134

Contact the Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployed Committee at 203 624-8664.

Students and Teachers Demand Fully Funded Schools

 

New Haven Public School teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians, art educators, union leaders, parents, and students turned out in force to Monday night’s Board of Education hearing to use their voices, and powerful moments of silence, to show opposition to the devastating teacher cuts being proposed for next school year.

Trump's sweeping elimination of social programs and massive cuts to the Department of Education are making their direct impact on New Haven.  The national cuts, and Connecticut Governor Lamont's resistance to releasing the state's "rainy day" funds into educational spending, are leaving New Haven with a $16.5 million deficit for its school budget in the 2025-2026 academic year.  

New Haven's Superintendent of Schools made it known this past April that 129 teaching and coaching positions are at risk of being eliminated in the fall of 2025.  This would include 29 art teachers, 25 literacy and math coaches, 25 school librarians, 19 paraprofessionals, 4 clerical staff, and 27 other teachers.  Many of these positions, including all 25 school librarians in the district, have already been proposed for elimination.  

One teacher, who has served New Haven for 31 years, explained that between New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport, these three districts serve 49 percent of all Black and Brown students in the state, and all three of these districts have proposed librarian and reading coach layoffs.  “It is a question of equity,” she said in her powerful testimony.  New Haven Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Jenny Graves emphasized that "management has not faced cuts to their wages or positions, while our student-facing teachers are in this unimaginable situation."  She also explained that a number of buildings that are not in use could be officially closed to save costs and save teachers' jobs.  

The New Haven paraprofessionals union, AFSCME Local 3429, took a particularly moving series of actions  during the hearing.  Union members signed up to testify, and whenever one of the local’s members was called up to speak, their entire union delegation approached the podium and stood in silence for the full three minutes of allotted time, holding up signs that said: “We Support Every Child.”  Their action was repeated at least 8 times during the hearing.

High school senior, student member of New Haven's Board of Education, and organizing leader Juan Carlos Serana Musser was given a standing ovation for his leadership in the battle to protect funding for New Haven’s Schools.  Juan Carlos and other high school students have organized hundreds of their peers in the last four months to testify at the capitol (March 19th), turn out to union and May Day rallies (May 1st and May 3rd), face arrest in civil disobedience (May 21st), and participate in coordinated school walkouts (May 30th), demanding the funding that they deserve for their education and supporting their teachers. 

Other students testified on Monday night about the profound impact that their teachers have had on their lives, and how angry they feel that their teachers are being targeted by the budget cuts.  The students' efforts have gotten legislators' attention, and have demonstrated their mature solidarity with the labor movement.  

The bottom line?  As Trump and his billionaire friends continue to completely devastate our country's resources for every day working families, the people continue to fight back.  New Haven's Public Schools and community are standing strong and unified in the face of unprecedented attacks. 

Gov. Lamont: Which Side Are You On?

 

A top legislative priority of the Connecticut Afl-CIO this session is SB 8 to allow Unemployment Insurance for striking workers after two weeks. The Senate and House passed the bill, but Governor Lamont says he plans to veto.

Union members and advocates have been asking the Governor, “which side are you on?” In a statement Connecticdut AFLCIO president Ed Hawthorne said,

“The passage of this bill in both chambers with a bipartisan vote marks a critical victory for working people in our state. For too long, working families have had to choose between exercising their legal right to strike for fair treatment and putting food on the table.

“All Senate Bill 8 would do is provide a basic safety net to ensure that working people can stand up for fair wages and job security without the risk of complete financial ruin.

“What really scares corporations is that this legislation would prevent employers from using the financial hardship of workers as a bargaining tool. And it would help create a more level playing field between working people and large corporations.

“Once again, we’d like to remind Gov. Lamont that RTX, Electric Boat and other large corporations are not his constituents. The thousands of hardworking people who work there are.

June 14 - Defeat the MAGA Billionaire Budget

 

The State Capitol grounds is a state focal point for the national No Kinds National Day of Definace on June 14, expected to attract huge crowds. The Hartford rally starts at 11 am.

A key demand will be to defeat the MAGA Billionaire Budget in the U.S. Senate. This is the moment to make our voices heard. There are rallies in other Connecticut towns as well inlcuding Glastonbury, New London, Bethel, Waterbury, Westport, Cornwall, Enfield, Stamford, Torrington, Willimantic, East Lyme and New Haven.

A wide array of organizations are co-sponsoring the rallies, building on May Day and other rallies in April.

Union Calls for Declaration of a Fiscal Emergency

 

Gov Lamont and House members were welcomed to the Capitol the last Saturday of the legislative session demanding funds for needed programs. The 200 CSEA SEIU Local 2001 union members called for taking down the fiscal guardrails that are siphoning away funding. 

“With the second largest surplus in our state’s history projected, we should not be fighting over crumbs,” they said. They called on the Governor to declare a fiscal emergency and adjust the archaic fiscal guardrails to allow for critical investment in core programs that will meet immediate needs and improve economic stability. 

“It is morally unjust and fiscally irresponsible to sit on billions in surplus while core programs are woefully underfunded. We can do better - we can’t afford not to.,” their statement declared.

In his remarks, president Travis Woodward emphasized,“Too many people in this state are scraping by while billionaires hoard more and more. Our communities are shortchanged by broken budget rules and a political system too afraid to tax the wealthy,”

“We need affordable health care, paid time off, and stability. We can’t keep holding the system up while we’re being crushed underneath it,” added Maria Reyes, President of the SCEA Childcare Council.

“This is personal. It’s about whether students like my son AJ have the support they need. Whether paras like me can stay in this profession. Whether this state is going to stand up and do the right thing—or keep hiding behind roadblocks and excuses,” said Vicky Celyan, a Danbury Public School Paraeducator declaring, “Connecticut has the money.”

“What happens when you stack this kind of uncertainty—on top of an effective pay cut come July 1st, on top of grants being canceled, on top of federal attacks on immigrants and science? You lose the next generation of public service workers,” explained Meghan Cahill, an Agricultural Research Technician, “This is a turning point. An inflection point. Our state can either commit to the values and people that make Connecticut strong—or it can abandon us the same way the federal government has.”