Making Solidarity Real

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

"Without your help we would not have advanced as far as we have," striking ironworker Cristian Vazquez said at last night's DC Jobs With Justice "I'll Be There" awards. "We are like a tree that's planted by the river and we will continue our struggle to the end. Gracias!" The striking Wings ironworkers were among this year's award-winners, which included Mary Beth Maxwell -- former national field director for Jobs With Justice. Founding director of American Rights at Work and now a senior advisor to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis -- DC ACLU Executive Director Johnny Barnes, and Kristi Matthews of the Fair Budget Coalition. Rev. Noemi Mena, pastor of the Iglesia Cristiana Nacional Hispana, served as Master of Ceremonies, with music by Lilo Gonzalez and Head-Roc. The eighth annual awards -- held in the AFL-CIO's Gompers Room -- also celebrated a slew of wins for District workers, including recovering over $15,000 in stolen wages for day laborers, defeating the anti-immigrant policing program and helping launch the Take Back DC campaign. "DC Jobs with Justice makes solidarity real," Maxwell said, "We can do something difficult together that we can't do alone." Added Barnes, "the African proverb teaches us 'we for us'; together we cannot be broken. Know who you are, know what you're fighting for, and stick together!" And Matthews urged the crowd of JWJ supporters to "Be the change you want to see in the world." The fundraiser also surpassed its $20,000 goal, with many supporters taking ads in the program book and joining the monthly sustainer program. With much work for justice in DC yet to do, "The fight is not over," reminded Metro Council President Jos Williams, "the fight goes on." - report/photo by Chris Garlock; photo; 2010 "I'll Be There" award winners; musician Lilo Gonzalez (right)