AFL-CIO
MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr.
CELBRATION
Jeff Hicks Vice President
LUPA 3520

Region 8 Civil/Human Rights President Ricky McDowell, Region 8 Civil/Human Vice President Franklin Torrence, Local 3520 Vice President Jeff Hicks and Local5285 Vice President Ron Melton joined Union Members from all over the United States in Houston Texas to honor Dr. King.

Houston TX was this years mission to revitalize in Honor of Martin Luther King. The AFL-CIO said what a better way to honor Dr. King than to have Labor help refurbish areas that were hit by Katrina. Houston still houses over 80,000 evacuees that fled the hurricane’s waters. Last year it was Louisiana that got the blessings from Labor. This year Labor visited Martin Luther King Jr. child development center to give it a good make over. The members planted shrubs, flowers and trees. Besides the manual labor, the week consisted of workshops and conferences on Civil/Human Rights. The Conferences provided some very informative speakers such as Bill Lucy, Norm Hill, Joseph Lowery, a host of elected officials and Rev. Al Sharpton who preached the Sunday service.

Rev. Al Sharpton gave a very moving service that included personal encounters with Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement. Rev. Sharpton left the crowded church with one important message. He stated, “Dr. King didn’t lose his fight, he actually won because all those who fought him and opposed him now have a day off to Honor him.”

The celebration ended with a Parade to honor Dr. King. Members braved the unusual ice and sleet to Unite and March for Dr. King. Host Local CWA 6222 provided a float that had the logos of all the Unions. Behind the float; for blocks and blocks, marched Union Brother and Sisters in Honor of Dr.King. To hear every one chant in cadence “Keep the Dream Alive” was an awesome sound. According to local news station over 50,000 people young and old lined the parade route to see the floats and marching bands.
UAW Region 8 was well represented at this year’s event, to show the nation of Union members that UAW Honors The King Legacy.