[PAA-Discuss] Fw: Coalition of Working People & the Poor Formed

[Edna Thompson]

Dear Friends -

Here is some information on a new coalition which is being formed in Houston. If you are interested in being involved, let me know.

There is a press conference scheduled for Wednesday, February 28 on the steps of City Hall at 12 noon. Please attend if you are able.

More importantly, there is a march and rally scheduled for 3/24, Saturday at 12 noon at Hermann Square downtown. Again, let me know if you are interested. If you are interested, don't come alone. Bring family and friends. We want to have a huge gathering to focus attention on the devastating effects of the Bush budget on basic human needs to include CHIP, and health care for our citizens. By the way, for those of you in the health care and education fields, your jobs are at stake. For everyone, our future is at stake.

Peace & solidarity
Pat Thompson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Shawtrek at aol.com 
To: undisclosed-recipients: 
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 12:17 PM
Subject: Coalition of Working People & the Poor Formed


Broad-based Coalition Formed

 

A broad-based group of religious, political, community and labor organizations formed the Coalition for America’s Working People and the Poor at The Community of Faith Church on Friday, February 16, 2007.

 

Under the leadership of Bishop James Dixon, II, Senior Pastor Community of Faith Church, the Coalition intends to address Full Funding for Human Needs . . .

 

Restoration of funding in the President’s budget for Food Stamps, Head Start and CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program, a Minimum Wage increase as passed by the House and Healthcare, including mental health needs.

 

The Coalition is planning a march that will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2007, beginning at Herman Square to City Hall, starting at 12 noon.

  

In addition to those listed in the newspaper article below, others in attendance at this meeting included Carol Galloway, President of the NAACP Houston Branch, Union Representatives from CWA, Local 6222, SEIU, Local 100, SEIU Justice for Janitors, Houston Interfaith Workers Justice Center, Houston Peace and Justice Center and religious leaders from a variety of churches.  Representatives from the offices of the following elected officials were also in attendance:  Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Senator Rodney Ellis and City Council Member Carol Alvarado.



Richard C. Shaw

Secretary-Treasurer

Harris County AFL-CIO Council

 

Feb. 16, 2007, 10:43PM
Coalition plans march to protest Bush's economic policies


By LORI RODRIGUEZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle 

A coalition of community leaders, grass-roots groups and elected officials will march through downtown Houston on March 24 to protest Bush administration policies they say hurt the working poor.

The newly formed Coalition for Working Class Americans wants residents of all backgrounds to join them in the demonstration that will culminate with a City Hall rally aimed at showing concern for economically squeezed Americans.

"We have assembled to express our gross dissatisfaction with the country's growing insensitivity to the enormous burden that our nation's economic policies continues to place on those who can least afford it," said Bishop James Dixon II of Community of Faith Church on Pinemont, where the coalition announced its plans.

The march will take place against a backdrop of heated, partisan debate about the president's proposed budget, which contains cuts to social services including Head Start and workfare programs.

A proposed increase in minimum wage also is generating a political tug-of-war.

Organizers hope to draw as many as 1,000 marchers.

Among participants in the coalition are the Harris County AFL-CIO, the Houston Area Urban League and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

lori.rodriguez at chron.com
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