Workers to gather nationwide Monday to declare ‘We Are One’

April 4 is the anniversary of the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The civil rights leader was shot to death in Memphis, Tenn., while supporting a strike by sanitation workers.

Labor unions will be joined by faith communities, civil rights groups, students, immigrant organizations and others in a day of activities to support the right of workers to have a voice on the job and achieve the American dream.

In St. Paul, people will gather at 5 p.m. April 4 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, then march down John Ireland Boulevard to the state Capitol, where a rally will be held at 6 p.m. The focus will be “solidarity for jobs, a fair budget and worker rights.”

In Duluth, a noon rally at City Hall will draw attention to the attacks on collective bargaining and workers\’ rights across the country and the impact of planned budget cuts on services to the public. Then at 5:30 p.m., people will gather at the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial to remember King, then march to the federal building where a vigil will be held.

Nationally, events ranging from prayer services and vigils to rallies are planned in many communities. The NAACP will hold a major event in Nashville, Tenn., featuring a teach-in with three historically black colleges in that city.

In Denver, Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders will gather in the City Park for a rally and candlelight vigil.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s anti-worker “power grab” has ignited a movement across the nation, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker told reporters in Washington, D.C.

“We’re standing together to make our country better for all working people,” Holt Baker said. “We honor Dr. King with our determination to stand up and build the future our children deserve. These attacks on the middle class aren’t about the economy or the state budget. It’s about politics and payback.”

For a complete list of actions, visit the We Are One website.