FRESNO CELEBRATES MLK DAY

FRESNO CELEBRATES MLK DAY
By Mike Rhodes
January 19, 2004

Martin Luther King Jr. day was celebrated in this community by holding a march through downtown Fresno today. James Lett, coordinator of the march, estimated the crowd at 1,500. An enthusiastic and multi-cultural group marched through the streets with homecare workers from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) local 250 leading chants calling for a living wage and justice for workers.

There was an interesting division between those at the front of the march and those at the back. Marching behind the front banner (see photo below) were elected officials and law enforcement. Behind the lead banner was the Edison High School marching band which provided a huge buffer between the elected officials and community groups and individuals. Speculation was that mayor Autry did not want to be photographed with anti-war posters and banners behind him, which is what happened at last years march.

The march stopped briefly at Fresno City Hall where the mayor was introduced as a strong supporter of MLK events in this community. True, the City of Fresno provides major funding to honor MLK events, but what was left unsaid was how the mayor is leading an attack on the Human Relations Commission that funds the series of events honoring Dr King. The mayor and other conservative City Council members are behind an effort to de-fund future MLK activities. Several elected representatives, including the mayor, were given the microphone and allowed to define the meaning and importance of the march/celebration. Community activists working on issues supporting peace, social, and economic justice were not asked to speak.

In spite of this weakness, those attending seemed to be having a great time visiting with old friends, chanting “the people united will never be defeated,” and singing Solidarity Forever. I hope you enjoy the pictures on this page which were taken by myself and daughters Vanessa and Simone.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr’s attempt to build unity and a world of peace, social/economic justice, here are several upcoming events of interest to the progressive community:

Tuesday, January 20
7 PM
Health Care for All campaign is coming back to Fresno! SB921, which will provide single-payer health coverage to all Californians, has a decent chance of passing soon in the Legislature, and Fresno has a plan to help. Come see how you can get involved. Our organizing meeting will be Tuesday evening, January 20, from 7:00 to 8:30, at the SEIU hall at 1279 N. Wishon, north of Olive. Madera County supporters also welcome. For more information, or to find out about speaker training January 11, call Devin Carroll at 291-1715.

Wednesday, January 21
7 PM
Discussion: "Whites Looking at White Privilege", third in a series of discussions in which
whites will be challenged to examine the benefits received from centuries of racism. Fresno City College, Room SO-110. Third Wednesday of each month. Contact Richard Stone to enroll: 266-2559. Contact Gerry Bill for parking permit: 227-2133, or 442-4600 ext. 8348.

Thursday, January 22
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Are you tired of corporate media moguls ignoring stories that are important to you? Don't hate the media, become the media! Join others in the Central Valley and help create an independent media and news organization.

Indymedia is a collective of independent media organizations, ordinary citizens and hundreds of journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage. Indymedia is a democratic media outlet for the news that corporate media neglects.

Want to help start one? Come to the Fresno organizing meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 985 N Van Ness. For more information, check out the new Central Valley Indymedia page at:
http://www.indybay.org/centralvalley/ call (559) 226-0477 or go to: http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/FrequentlyAskedQuestionEn

Saturday, January 24
8 AM - Noon
Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR) is sponsoring community Citrus Saturdays again this winter:

Citrus drop-off, Garden of the Sun, 1944 N Winery
(north of McKinley; just south of the Discovery Center)
9:30 to Noon: Free gardening class: Growing Citrus in the San Joaquin Valley

Tuesday, January 27
Central California Alliance is holding their 3rd annual talent show at Roger Rocka's. The Central California Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive change, equal rights, social and networking opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people through programs of community service and philanthropy. Check out http://www.ccafresno.org for details and tickets.

Tuesday February 3
Reception 4 - 6 PM
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Art Exhibit, Essay and Speech Winners
ADMISSION IS FREE Lyles Theater, 3rd Floor in the museum Fresno Metropolitan Museum, 1515 Van Ness, Fresno. Artwork created and displayed by students from Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and other Fresno County School Districts at the museum from February 3-21, 2004. Contact: Thomas Russell (559) 327-9353

Friday, February 6
6:30 PM
Fresno RaNCor; The local group organizing to send activists to New York for the protests during the Republican National Convention, will meet at the Central City Cafe located at 5048 N Blackstone. For more information call 213-2042. e-mail email [at] rancor.info or check out our website at: http://www.rancor.info