Local events to highlight International Human Rights Day

"Workers Rights are Human Rights" is the theme of the forum, scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 500N of the State Office Building in St. Paul.

"The right to form a union is a basic human right, included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ratified by the U.S. on Dec. 10, 1948," said the Minnesota AFL-CIO, which organized the event. "Yet workers in the U.S. face incredible obstacles in their efforts to form unions."

At the forum, a half-dozen workers will describe how America\’s weakened labor laws are hurting the middle class and will call on lawmakers to act.

On Monday evening, representatives of several human rights organizations will gather for a program titled, "Solidarity Across Struggles." It will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2511 Franklin Ave., Minneapolis.

Sponsors include the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition, Witness for Peace, Centro Campesino, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition, Somali Action Alliance, United Steelworkers Associate Member Program, Workers Interfaith Network and the Twin Cities CIW Solidarity Committee.

"Come learn about and participate in different human rights movements in Minnesota," organizers said.

Both events are free and open to the public.