On Jan. 16, Martin Luther King day, communities across the United States gather to commemorate a true hero of the working class, who fought what he called the “triple evils” of racism, poverty and war. On that day, members of Party for Socialism and Liberation and the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) participated in commemoration activities to continue the fight against racism and war.
Albuquerque
A multinational march set off from Martin Luther King Avenue, and ended at the downtown Albuquerque Civic Plaza to commemorate King’s message against the triple evils of war, poverty and racism. The rally included many groups, including the NAACP, La Raza Unida and ANSWER New Mexico. ANSWER New Mexico organizers carried placards that read, “Stand Against War and Racism,” and chanted: “What did King want? No more wars!” At Civic Plaza, members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation spoke with community members about PSL presidential and vice presidential candidates Peta Lindsay and Yari Osorio. Many youth at the rally were receptive to the PSL electoral message of voting for candidates who stand for education, health care and working-class interests.
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, the ANSWER Coalition marched in the MLK parade in a “Jobs Not Jails” contingent with hundreds to demand an end to mass incarcerations in Black and Latino communities and the creation of jobs, better housing and health care for all. Thousands of people came to South Los Angeles to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. People overwhelmingly echoed the message that King fought for so vehemently—a call to end the wars and the exploitation of poor and working people. ANSWER also participated in the Long Beach MLK parade and distributed thousands of flyers and materials, which were well received at the parade.
Philadelphia
On Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, over 200 supporters gathered in support of immigrant rights in Philadelphia. DreamActivist Pennsylvania and the One Love movement organized the march and rally in protest of ICE’s targeting of the city’s many immigrant communities. Speakers addressed a range of concerns such as cuts to bilingual staff in public schools, suspension of immigrants’ state driver’s licenses, as well as individual cases of detentions and deportations.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, hundreds of people gathered at Fourth and King Streets at 11 a.m. to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. They marched to the MLK memorial at the Yerba Buena Center, which features a waterfall surrounded by plaques with quotes from King that highlight the often obscured progressive nature of his politics. From within the waterfall can be heard a recording of a speech by King. A contingent of PSL members were present. The latest issue of Liberation, which features the slogan, “Fight for Jobs Not Jails,” was widely circulated within the enthusiastic crowd.
Seattle
Despite snow and icy road conditions, about 1,000 people came out for the 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration march and rally. This annual grassroots event, put on by a committee made up of representatives of community, labor and anti-war groups, seeks to apply King’s message to the current situation. This year’s theme was “Reclaiming Martin Luther King Jr.’s revolutionary legacy!” The Rev. Leslie Braxton gave the keynote address and eloquently outlined how King and the Civil Rights movement represent the original Occupy movement of the United States.
Following community-based workshops in the morning, participants rallied in the Garfield High School gym. A highlight of the rally was the surprise presentation of an award to Dorli Rainey, the now 85-year-old activist whose photo went viral after she was pepper-sprayed by Seattle police during an Occupy Seattle demonstration. Rainey is a member of the Seattle MLK Committee. Members of the ANSWER Coalition provided key logistical and technical support to the committee.
Washington, D.C.
The ANSWER Coalition marched as an official contingent in Washington, D.C.’s 34th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Parade. The parade took place on Jan. 16 for the first time since 2004. The parade marched through Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in the heart of Anacostia.
The ANSWER Coalition marched under the banner of “End Mass Incarceration / Jobs Not Jails.” The contingent included activists who traveled as far as Connecticut to participate. It was joined by several other D.C. groups, including Returning Citizens United, the Criminal Justice Working Group of Occupy D.C., the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and others.
The parade included many youth marching bands, community and service organizations from throughout D.C., and contingents from Latino and Asian communities.
Contributing writers: Antschel Siqueiros, Yvonne Bonilla, Ethan Jury, William West,Caneisha Mills and Jane Cutter
