Commemorating Dr. King’s sacrifice for workers’ rights

On April 4, 2011 and the anniversary of Dr. King’s death, people in communities across North Carolina will join hundreds of thousands of others across this country to commemorate the sacrifice he made to bring about economic justice, human rights, and human dignity for working men and women.  We will remember the courage and determination of those 1,300 workers who endured assault and arrest as they walked a picket line to demand equal treatment under the law – equal treatment denied to public employees in North Carolina since 1959.

Prelude events will be held on Sunday, April 3 in select cities.  Scroll down for all the information we have on events being held both days.

Events on Monday, April 4

RALEIGH 15-Minute Moment of Silence / Silent Protest (RSVP)
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12 Noon
Where: Bicentennial Mall, across from legislative building, 1 W. Jones St, Raleigh, NC
Who: NC State AFL-CIO, NAACP, MoveOn.org, SEANC, and others
Why: To remind state lawmakers who demand sacrifice from others but sacrifice nothing themselves that like them we are men and women, taxpayers and citizens; we have rights.
Contact: Jeremy Sprinkle, 336-255-2711, jeremy@aflcionc.org
Flyer: http://aflcionc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4-4-We-Are-One-Silent-Protest-Raleigh-Flyer.pdf

CHARLOTTE Rally and Picket Line (RSVP)
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12 Noon
Where: City/County Government Building, 600 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC
Who: Southern Piedmont Central Labor Council, NAACP, MoveOn.org, AFL-CIO, others
Why: To remember the brave 1,300 sanitation workers of Memphis, TN, their struggle in 1968 for equal protection under the law, and with whom Dr. King stood in solidarity when he was killed.
Contact: Debra Geter, 704-572-5793, debrageter@yahoo.com
Flyer: http://aflcionc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4-4-We-Are-One-Rally-and-Picket-Charlotte.pdf

ASHEVILLE Solidarity Rally (RSVP)
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 from 6 to 7pm
Where: Pack Square, Downtown Asheville
Who: Western NC Central Labor Council, NAACP, MoveOn.org, SEANC, Just Economics, WNC4Change, MLK Jr. Association, others
Why: To rally support for workers from Wisconsin to North Carolina where right-wing politicians and corporate executives are undermining working families by taking away our rights.
Contact: Mark Case, 828-215-8883, mark277@aol.com
Flyer: http://aflcionc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4-4-We-Are-One-Solidarity-Rally-Asheville.pdf

GREENSBORO Defend the Dream Rally (RSVP)
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 from 4:30 to 6pm
Where: Government Plaza, Greene St and W February One Place, Greensboro, NC
Who: CWA Local 3607, AFT Local 2258, NALC Branches 630G, 936HP, and 461WS, UAW Local 5287, Iron Workers Local 848, National Farm Workers Ministry, NC Labor Against the War, Faith Action, NCOSH, Youth Org of UNCG, North Carolina NAACP, GCAE, Teamsters Local 391, Pulpit Forum, NC State AFL-CIO, and MoveOn.org
Why: To defend Dr. King’s dream for everyone to have the best education, decent wages, safe working conditions, and basic human rights – a dream under assault today.
Contact: Deborah Compton-Holt, 336- 987-5951 or Sandra Koritz, 336-272-2758.
Flyer: http://aflcionc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4-4-We-Are-One-Defend-the-Dream-Rally-Greensboro.pdf

GREENVILLE Teach-Ins
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12 Noon
Where: Willis Building at 1st and Reade Streets, Greenville, NC
When: 6:30 PM
Where: Tipsy Teapot at S. Evans and 4th Streets, Greenville, NC
Contact: Frank, 252-327-8843 or Zach, 252-412-9297

CHAPEL HILL Press Conference
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10am
Where: Hargraves Community Center, 216 N Roberson St, Chapel Hill, NC
Contact: Michelle Cotton-Laws or Rob Stephens, 919-475-6388

RALEIGH Panel Discussion
When: Monday, April 4, 2011 from 6:30-8pm
Where: Martin Street Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1001 E. Martin St, Raleigh, NC
Who: Rev. David C. Forbes on Civil Rights and Faith Community; MaryBe McMillan on Labor Struggles; Rev. Portia W. Rochelle on NAACP support for workers’ rights
Contact: Porita Rochelle at 919-832-8016

Prelude Events on Sunday, April 3

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II will speak at 11am at Saint Joseph’s CME Church on 510 West Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC.

Rev. Curtis E. Gatewood will speak at 4pm at the W.D. Hill Center, 1308 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC.

Mrs. Amina Josey Turner will present at the 11am service at York AME Zion Church, 201 Tyson Street, Greenville, NC.

3rd Annual MLK, Jr. Memorial Celebration will be hosted by the Wilson Branch of the NAACP from 6pm at Jackson Chapel First Mission Baptist Church, 511 East Nash Street, Wilson, NC.

There may be other April 4 “We Are One” solidarity events planned which are not listed here.  Be sure to check the We Are One website for a listing of events that have been registered in North Carolina: http://local.we-r-1.org/weareone/events/search/state/NC.