RALLY, MARCH AND SPEAK OUT TODAY ON GENESEE STREET, ROCHESTER, N.Y.

Rochester, N.Y.-- More than 1,000 solidarity events in all 50 states and several foreign countries have been scheduled on and around today, April 4. Rallies, teach-ins, worksite discussions, vigils, faith events and more are planned for the next few days.

That’s just what we know of-- so far.

An unprecedented coalition of labor unions, progressive allies and individual working people has joined in.

photo:  Ove Overmyer

April 4 is the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968. He had gone to Memphis to support city sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life. They went on to become members of AFSCME.

Right now, we’re building a movement to advance Dr. King’s dream-- a dream many of us share: economic justice for all.

Be a part of our movement. As our movement grows stronger, corporate-bought politicians are pushing back hard. But they’re losing public support, fast.

Just this week, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) signed into law a bill to severely limit collective bargaining rights for more than 350,000 firefighters, nurses, librarians, teachers and other public workers. And bare-knuckled assaults on workers and their rights in other states continue full force.

But we’re fighting back: Democrats in Wisconsin have enough signatures to recall the first of eight Republican state senators.

Meanwhile, we’re seeing assaults on collective bargaining at the federal level, too: Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) recently tried to rig the voting system for some union elections so even if there are more “yes” votes than “no” votes, workers still could be denied their union. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has even introduced a national "right to work" for less bill.

photo:  Ove Overmyer

But we’re fighting back: President Obama has threatened to veto Rep. Mica’s anti-worker proposal, should it ever reach his desk. And Sen. DeMint’s bill is dead in the water.

On the federal budget, House Republicans are playing a game of chicken with people’s lives and livelihoods—pushing fundamentally immoral, scorched-earth cuts to critical government services working families rely on every day. These cuts would destroy middle-class jobs and hurt the most vulnerable people in our country.

When the budget showdown happens, we’ll be ready to fight back.

When corporate-supported politicians try to balance budgets on the backs of working families, and attack our rights, we’ll stand up for justice.

Stand strong for justice. Show our strength. Together, we’re strong enough to change the course of history if we keep this incredible momentum going.

Today's Rochester event details:

April 4, 2011 - 4:30 pm

Meet: Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY - Parking Available

March: South on Genesee Street to Wilson H.S.

Speak Out: Wilson HS Commencement Academy Auditorium, 501 Genesee St., Rochester, NY