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Dallas Labor Will Walk a Mile for Justice

Gene Lantz, Digital Organizing Committee
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The Dallas AFL-CIO has spot #104 in the Dallas Martin Luther King Jr march on Monday, January 15. We will gather around 8:30 AM near MLK Boulevard and Holmes Street, then walk past the MLK Center to Fair Park. Principal officer Mark York is inviting union members, retirees, labor-endorsed candidates and other labor supporters to be in our big contingent. Seniors and disabled people will be able to ride on the float provided by Brother Gerardo Contreras..

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Parking is always a big problem. Political Director Lorraine Montemayor suggests that people park in Fair Park near the Pennsylvania entrance, then car-pool back to the step-off point. Some are planning to take public transportation. The shuttle service that the City of Dallas used to provide is apparently not going to be available this year. Step-off is scheduled for 10AM.

The birthday of Dr King will also be celebrated in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie. A proposed march in Arlington, opposed by civil rights advocates because it honored Governor Abbott, a politician with a dismal civil rights record, was called off. For more information about our contingent, contact Lorraine Montemayor at- 214-448-1557.

Civil Rights in North Texas to be Evaluated

Communications Workers organizer Jerrell Miller will appear on KNON's "Workers Beat" program at 9 AM on Saturday, January 13. Miller worked with the Arlington NAACP in keeping North Texas MLK activities true to the ideas of the great Dr. King. He expects other activists to call in 972-647-1893 to talk about the situation here.

Nationwide, Americans have reached a new awareness of the need for civil rights as politicians try to take away the great gains we have made since Dr King first led the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Women's March Set for January 20

Last year's women's march brought more protesters into America's streets than any day in history. Similar turnout is hoped for on January 20 when the 2018 march steps off at 10 AM from St Paul's Church, 1816 Routh. Labor-endorsed State Representative Victoria Neave is involved in the leadership as she was last year. More information on Facebook.

Dallas AFL-CIO Meeting Delayed Until January 24

Leaders and supporters of the Dallas AFL-CIO will be in Austin January 20-21 for the Coalition on Political Education (COPE) conference. The conference will finalize labor's candidate choices for the primary election, consequently Dallas labor will be able to make strategic election plans afterward. 

Labor Gets An Appointment

Political Director Lorraine Montemayor has been appointed to the Dallas Civil Services Board. Principal officer Mark York says that this is the first important city appointment for our labor council, and that it is a "huge tangible result" of the political work done by our members and affiliates. The Civil Service Board is empowered to adopt, amend and enforce a code of rules and regulations subject to City Council ratification to ensure employment and promotion based on merit and fitness for approximately 75% of the positions in Dallas. Councilman Omar Narvaez made the nomination.

Montemayor directed the successful candidate screening that resulted in endorsements and recommendations as listed on our web site.

More Actions Coming Up

Jan 13, 9AM: CWA organizer and civil rights activist Jerrell Miller will lead a discussion on labor and civil rights on KNON's "Workers Beat" program. Tune in to 89.3 or listen on http://knon.org. The program will be podcast for availability over the next two weeks

Jan 13, 5:30P: MLK Jr. Awards Banquet, a black-tie formal at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel, 300 Reunion Blvd.

Jan. 14, 7:30P: 35th annual, Emmy Award-winning Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert tribute to King held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2501 Flora St. Recording artists B

Jan 15, 10A: Annual Dallas MLK march and parade steps off from around Holmes Stretet & MLK Blvd

Jan 19, 1-5p: TARA State Convention & election of officers at Downtown Sheraton in Austin 

Jan 19: Deadline for a new Congressional Spending Bill or government shutdown

Jan 19, 7:30P: “Women Speak, Men Listen” forum at Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 233 W. Jefferson Avenue Dallas TX 75208

Jan 20, 10A: Dallas Women’s March begins at St Paul Church, 1816 Routh, and ends at Pike Park, 2007 Harry Hines Blvd. www.Facebook.com/DallasWomensMarch

Jan 20-21: Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention at Downtown Sheraton in Austin 

Jan 24, 7:30P: Dallas AFL-CIO meeting for all affiliated members in the CWA Hall, 1408 N. Washington

Jan 24, 7:30 - 9:00pm “Women Speak, Men Listen” forum at White Rock United Methodist Church’ Owenwood Campus, 1451 John West Rd, Dallas, TX 75228

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