Headlines
A wave of union activism is sweeping the country for the first time in decades. From John Deere factory workers in Iowa to school bus drivers in Maryland, the country is officially going on strike. The Labor Action tracker has counted 178 strikes so far in 2021, compared to only 58 strikes in 2020. But what is causing this sudden increase in activism? There are a few probable catalysts for these new movements. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the strain on warehouse and manufacturing workers (as well as most workers in customer service and retail). Stagnant wages coupled with massive financial burden from lockdowns, cruel treatment by management, and increased production demands caused by ‘return to normal’ initiatives, have created impossible working conditions. So, the only thing left for most workers to do is go on strike.
“Which side are you on, boys. Which side are you on?”
Activist News
From Oct. 11th – 15th, climate activists from across the country rallied and marched in DC for a week of actions demanding President Biden put a stop to fossil fuels. The People vs. Fossil Fuels campaign, led by a coalition of indigenous youth and water protectors, held inspiring demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins across downtown DC. On Thursday, Oct 14th, during a sit-in at the Dept. of the Interior, frontliners were brutalized by Federal and Metropolitan Police with tasers and other violent tactics as demonstrators fought to make their voices heard. On Friday, day five of the Campaign, activists clashed with police again at the Capitol as they demanded that Biden and Congress halt fossil fuel projects nationally and declare climate change a national emergency. Throughout the week, over 120 demonstrators were arrested, bringing the national total of arrests of environmental protectors to over 600, according to climate organizers.
On Friday, Oct. 15th, friends and loved ones of An’Twan Gilmore gathered for a rally and march on New York and Florida Ave NE, where he was murdered by MPD Officer Enis Jevric, and continued through the city to the Gallery Place area. They were joined by allies from the Stop Line 3 indigenous rights organizations and many other DC Grassroots groups for a powerful showing of around 100 people. The loved ones and supporters plan to continue demanding that justice be served, namely by the indictment of Enis Jevric and the other officers responsible for his death.
The #CancelRentDC campaign called for the extension of Stay DC, a District-funded rental assistance program, at a rally on Oct. 24th. Meanwhile, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) and Good Trouble Co-op continue to lead canvassing actions to connect families scheduled for eviction with legal aid. However, because of the end of Stay DC on Oct 27, more families will be at risk of eviction due to unpaid rent from throughout the pandemic. Though organizers plan to continue fighting for housing rights.
The Washington Revolutionary 