Standing for Social Justice

We were at the poor people’s campaign rally in Hartford again this past Monday and will be there again on Tuesday at 3:00.
No, we did not get arrested again this week.
But four activists did.

A reporter wanted to talk to me.
Actually, he wanted to talk to Jan, because the arrest of the president of one of the state’s largest unions sends a message. I resisted the urge to tell him that Jan was with me, only 20 feet away, and answered his questions myself.

He wanted to know about the experience of being arrested, about whether we were nervous beforehand, and about our motivation.
I told him the Hartford Police Officers were professional, polite, and respectful.
(The next day some of us had to appear at Hartford community court, and everyone there was equally professional, polite, and respectful. Throughout this, many officials expressed support for the stand we had taken. We were given 3 days of community service, which we will proudly serve)

As far as motivation, the decision to take an arrest for social justice is a very personal choice.
Speaking for myself, I felt that if Jan had the courage to take a stand, the least I could do is stand with her. Additionally, 3 of our members and 2 of our staff were arrested with us.
How could I ask them to do something that I wasn’t willing to do myself?
But there’s more to it than standing with my president, members and staff.

We celebrate Memorial Day this weekend. A day dedicated to those who gave their lives for the values this country should stand for, so eloquently stated by Abraham Lincoln. We are a nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. These are the values that I learned from my parents, my teachers, my church.
However, as a society, we often fail to live up to that dedication, and in so doing, we dishonor the memories of those who gave their lives.
While we may “believe” that all are created equal, we often do not treat all people as equals.
Social injustice (racial, gender, religious, class, etc) continues in our society.
The wealthy have the power and so often are unwilling to share it.
It is up to us to stand up for the principles this country was founded upon, stand up and respect the memories of those who died for these principles, stand up against the voices of hatred, bigotry, and nationalism, and stand up for ALL people.

Sometimes, standing up means you have to take a knee, or an arrest.

We elect those who serve us.
We need to ask all candidates…..
Do you stand for social justice?
Which side are you on?