Making Real Change: It's Up To Us

"This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change ... It cannot happen without you."

—President-elect Barack Obama, Nov 4, 2008

At the Vermont Workers' Center, we believe that social change comes from below, from working people and community members coming together to demand justice from those in power. The promise of this election can only be made good by people organizing at the grassroots. We must not let the momentum for a different future slow now that the elections are over. Below are some upcoming ways for you, your friends, and family to take part in this exciting moment:

1. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and be part of the struggle to make human rights a reality for all, at the Ella Baker Human Rights Conference on Saturday, December 13. You can register online (it is a free event, but pre-registration is encouraged). The Conference will feature workshops on healthcare, fighting racism, the economic crisis, the war, gender oppression, LGBTQ rights, immigration, movement-building and numerous other topics.
2. Declare 'Healthcare is a Human Right' by getting involved in our statewide Healthcare Is a Human Right campaign. To get involved, email healthcare [at] workerscenter [dot] org or sign up online.
3. In Burlington, the Workers' Center is coordinating a Healthy Homes Campaign, organizing tenants to demand safe, healthy and affordable housing. Watch a video about this project. To get involved, email healthyhomes [at] workerscenter [dot] org.
4. Volunteer with the Workers' Rights Hotline. The hotline answers questions from Vermonters about their rights at work and is a completely volunteer-driven operation. To get involved, email hotline [at] workerscenter [dot] org.
5. Volunteer with the Vermont Workers' Center or stop by during our new office hours. We are at 294 North Winooski Avenue in Burlington (Map) and our office hours are:

   9am-noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday
   2pm-5pm Tuesday, Thursday

6. Join our Rapid-Response Email Network.
7. Support our work financially by donating or, better yet, becoming a monthly sustainer.

Nov 13: St. Albans Human Rights Hearing

Human Rights Hearing: "Healthcare is a Human Right"
St. Paul's United Methodist Church,
11 Church St., St. Albans
Thursday Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
(refreshments served at 7 p.m.)

"Our current healthcare system simply leaves too many people behind, and this has real consequences for people who suffer immensely as they struggle to pay for healthcare they need, but often cannot afford. At this hearing, members of the community will have a chance to tell some of these stories," said Larry Trombley, social studies teacher at Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans. "Vermonters, and people in our community in particular, really view healthcare as a basic right that we can and should all share with one another."

Similar "Human Rights Forums" have been held in Brattleboro and Burlington and will be held all across the state as the Workers' Center continues its effort to fight for a just healthcare system that values human lives over profit. All are welcome. For more information call Erika Simard at 802-316-7827.

170+ Attend VWC Workshops on Anti-racism & Building A Social Justice Movement

From October 25 - November 2nd the Vermont Workers' Center held seven workshops around the state on Anti-racism & Building A Social Justice Movement with trainers from the Catalyst Project. Participants included high school and college students, teachers, union leaders, state employees, retirees, Americorp volunteers and Vermont non-profit staff. Here's what one participanet sent us:
"I just got back from the Anti-Racist Conference with the Catalyst Project and am so energized! I brought 8 kids and an ELL teacher, all of whom are interested in taking the knowledge they learned today and bringing it back to our school. Barre has not traditionally been kind to people of color, even though they have a history of heavy immigration to the area, including radicals from Italy and France. For most of us, it isn’t fear or not liking those that are not like us that creates the racism, but sometimes a pure lack of knowledge or ignorance. I’ve seen an increase in behaviors from students who are listening to some incredible hate filled attacks on Blacks and other people of color in the media and are not real sure what to do with this information. They are confused. This conference has helped me harness some ideas to help direct these students with the help of our now core group of anti-racists! One student said she learned more about history today than she has in entire classes. Another said her head was spinning she learned so much. There was learning on the part of the adults in the room, as well. Our students brought a perspective that could not have been replaced.

Thanks Worker’s Center for bringing this important Anti-Racism Conference to central Vermont."
- Amy Lester, School Counselor, Spaulding High School and Barre Technical Center

The VWC is holding a major statewide Human Rights Conference on December 13th at the University of Vermont, which will feature workshops on anti-racism. Online registration will begin soon.