News: United Workers Declare Baltimore Harbor Human Rights Zone

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the United Workers (UW) and their supporters marched through Downtown Baltimore to the Inner Harbor where UW announced the first target of a new Human Rights Zone campaign.  The day's events started in Carroll Park with the B-More Fair - a collaborative celebration consisting of an array of Baltimore organizations from labor to faith-based groups.  The march route ended at the Inner Harbor - an area that has been developed as a tourist destination featuring numerous restaurant and bar chains and entertainment venues.  At the Inner Harbor, UW announced Phillips Seafood restaurant as the first target within the Human Rights Zone. Learn more about United Workers' investigation of Phillips at the United Workers website.

United Workers has declared Baltimore's Inner Harbor a Human Rights Zone due to the violation of rights of low-wage workers whose labor makes harbor businesses profitable. The large force of workers who cater to the needs of tourists are are paid poverty wages, lack healthcare and are denied respect and dignity in the workplace. The United Workers, who successfully organized low-wage day laborers at the Oriole's Camden Yards and fought for a living wage, now move into a new phase in their work. The use of a "human rights zone" as an organizing tool is a key feature of the United Workers. 

The United Workers carry on the struggle for liberation in the name of Harriet Tubman, the "Moses" of the Underground Railroad. Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland and led her fellow slaves out of slavery in Maryland to freedom. In this spirit, the Baltimore-based United Workers declare themselves: "Low-wage workers leading the way to poverty's end."

Five Poverty Initiative representatives marched with the United Workers. Liz Theoharis, Chris Caruso, and the Wessel-McCoys (Colleen, John, ane Myles) traveled to Baltimore to show solidarity and to participate in the march as well as the next day's strategy session.  We were delighted to see some of our friends in impressive numbers including: Coalition of Immokalee Workers (Immokalee, FL), New York-based representatives from National Economic & Social Rights, and the Philadelphia-based Media Mobilizing Project, Unified Taxi Workers Alliance, and the Philadelphia Student Union.

Scroll down for a slideshow of photos from the march by Colleen and John Wessel-McCoy. Videos coming soon!