Liberty Pole Press Conference draws 60 but no press

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Nearly 60 people gathered today at noon at the Liberty Pole for a press conference. They represented a coalition of activist groups under the banner One Nation Working Together who plan to stage a massive demonstration in Washington DC on October 2. Two years ago we elected President Barack Obama on the promise of change.

Their press release is as follows:

On Oct. 2nd, 2010, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country will participate in an historic march in Washington D.C. to ensure a future of hope and unity for our nation. We will be marching to support the change we voted for:

Funding for healthcare and schools.
Unity not division.
Renewable energy and green jobs.
Jobs for all & an economy that works for everyone.

Groups represented at today's conference consisted of union members, health care workers, students, teachers, environmental and peace groups, immigrants, gay rights and health care activists. Sadly this press conference didn't bring any press, or any representatives of the local broadcast media. Nothing was mentioned of it on the 6 or 11 O'clock TV news, however they did devote nearly five minutes to Sarah Palin in Iowa.

Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union of Health Care Workers and the AFL-CIO have arranged transportation to DC for anyone wishing to participate. Buses will be provided to and from DC at no charge, however the buses will stop outside of the city and participants will need to provide their own train fare to and from the National Mall. Buses will depart from Monroe Community College at 10pm Friday, October 1. They will be returning to the same location early Sunday morning, October 3. Organizers are asking that people wishing to take the buses register ahead of time in order that enough seats are provided for everyone wishing to go. Already 15 buses have been filled. That is 900 people from Rochester alone. A rally will be held at MCC at 9:30 Friday night. Those who cannot travel to DC are encouraged to show their support and send their sisters and brothers on the way.

For more information and to sign up to ride the bus:

http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org

http://www.1199seiu.org

Don't hope for change Create it!

List of local groups sponsoring the October 2 event:

Official Endorsers - Rochester, NY Area as of September 17, 2010

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - Upstate NY Division
American Postal Workers Union - Rochester Area Local 215
Board of Education Non-Teaching Employees - AFSCME Local 2419
Civil Service Emplyees Association - AFSCME Local 1000
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - Rochester, NY Chapter
Communication Workers of America - Local 1170
Finger Lakes Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO
Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
Green Party of Monroe County
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 86
Metro-Justice of Rochester - Citizen Action of New York
Monroe County Federation of Social Workers - IUE/CWA Local 81381
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - NAACP Rochester, NY Chapter
New York State Public Employees Federation - Division 283
New York State United Teachers - Rochester Region
Next Generation United - Rochester, NY
Pride-at-Work - Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter
Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Rochester Students for a Democratic Society
Service Employees International Union - Local 200United
Social Justice Council - First Unitarian Church of Rochester
Steuben Livingston Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
United Automobile, Aerospace, Agricultural Implement Workers of America -Local 1097
United for Education - Cobblestone School
Workers United SEIU - Rochester Regional Joint Board