HUNDREDS RALLY TO HONOR DR. KING’S LEGACY

In downtown Chicago, hundreds rallied at Federal Plaza to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to send a clear message that they’re still fighting for the dream--$15 for Illinois and an end to racism. They also mounted protests over what they called, “Governor Rauner and President Trump’s, anti worker and anti-union policies.”
In downtown Chicago, hundreds rallied at Federal Plaza to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to send a clear message that they’re still fighting for the dream--$15 for Illinois and an end to racism. They also mounted protests over what they called, “Governor Rauner and President Trump’s, anti worker and anti-union policies.”

Drawing on the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., who was killed 49 years

ago, thousands of workers, racial justice activists, elected officials and clergy waged marches, rallies, teach-ins and vigils Tuesday as two of the nation’s most powerful social movements united in a “Fight Racism, Raise Pay” protest that echoed across two-dozen cities.

The protests stretched from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles, culminating

in a march by thousands on the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., where Dr. King

was killed April 4, 196 8 while supporting striking black sanitation workers. The

Rev. William J. Barber II, founder of the social justice movement Repairers of the

Breach; Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry, who

has supported the Fight for $15 since the movement started nearly five years ago;

and the Great Talladega College Tornado Marching Band led the march through

downtown Memphis.

In downtown Chicago, hundreds rallied at Federal Plaza to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to send a clear message that they’re still fighting for the dream--$15 for Illinois and an end to racism. They also mounted protests over what they called, “Governor Rauner and President Trump’s, anti-worker and anti-union policies.” Fast food workers, Black Lives Matter activists, and members of Fair Economy Illinois held a brief press conference and spoke out about the injustices they’re facing.

“This action is very personal for me and for my fellow fast food workers

because most of us are Black and Latina workers” said Parrish Thomas, a worker at Popeye’s and KFC. “As a Black man, it ’s inspiring to have seen Dr. King,

another Black man, se t the example for what’s right.

It’s important to make his dream come true by keeping the fight alive today.

Black Lives Matter Chicago’s role in the press conference and protest,

proved how the movements for economic and racial justice are the same.

“Dr. King saw a common bond between the labor and civil rights movements and believed that union rights were fundamental to achieving racial justice” said Kofi Ademola, a BLM Chicago leader. “As King said in 1961, ‘the two most dynamic and cohesive liber al forces in the country are the labor movement

and the Negro freedom movement. Together we can be architects of democracy.’”

Fast food workers disrupted traffic as they marched in the street, carrying a huge black, red and white banner that read “Still Fighting For The Dream, End Racism, Raise Pay, $15 for Illinois”. A nearby McDonald’s was the next location where they chanted about the burger giant being a key player and leader of the

economic and racial injustices workers are facing.

“McDonald’s is a huge part of the reason we’re fighting this fight. They’re a billion dollar corporation that’s getting away with paying us low wages and

forcing us to rely on government assistance” says Tarnerei Carter, a fast food worker at Domino’s.

“When McDonald’s changes its greedy ways, then so will Domino’s and Popeye’s and KFC and every other fast food corporation. They are the reason

we have to fight. And we’ll continue to fight as hard as we work.”

The group then marched to the Illinois

Policy Institute to hold it and Governor Rauner accountable for the policy proposals being created which protestors say, “destroy working class families in Illinois,” according to a released statement. Workers and activists blocked the entrance of the Koch Brothers funded institution and held signs that said

“$15 for Illinois Families” and “No Black Liberation Without Living Wages”.

“The IPI and Governor Rauner propose that the state balance the budget by cutting the life-giving programs we know we need--which will make for strong neighborhoods, and a city that works for all” said Pastor Fred from One Northside. “They push policies that would strip workers of their union protections and lower wages for everybody.”

The marchers concluded the action with prayer, a spiritual hymn and left chanting “We’ll be back”. The evening continued at a Resist.Reimagine.Rebuild. Citywide Teach-in, that began with a moment of silence a t 6:01 pm central—the precise moment Dr. King was shot April 4, 196 8—and were joined in similar

tributes by protesters all across the country.

“48% of Black workers in Illinois would benefit from a $15 minimum wag e. That includes me. I am a Black work er, a Black woman, and a single Black mother ” said Aiesha Meadows, a McDonald’s fast food worker.

“Bogus policies put out by IPI and Governor Rauner destroy families like mine. And I’ ll be going down to Springfield to make sure $15 for

Illinois happens for us.”

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