5 weeks in, my first blog post.
With 2 weeks remaining, although in the throes of the activity that remains, I find myself reflecting back on the experience in Baltimore this summer.
Things began shakily, when I discovered that I would be working essentially alone, with no office, coworkers, or supervision to speak of. I was asked to begin contacting clergy and asking them to be part of a coalition that had not yet formed, which would work to oppose a proposed Wal*Mart development in Baltimore city.
As the weeks rolled by, and I attempted to do the work with which I was charged, I began making my own routine and style of organizing, met with some modest successes, and with a great deal of learning.
Our coalition is growing rapidly, with a name--Baltimore CAN (Baltimore Community Action Network), a new website: www.baltimorecan.net, and about 30 member organizations. All in the last 4 weeks!
Although we have been working mostly on building our coalition, we have a few different goals we have been working towards:
1) The proposed Wal*Mart development has a PUD (Planned Unit Development) hearing before the City Council August 5, and we hope to pack the house and rally beforehand
2) We are working with the Community Law Center to draft principles of Community Standards in development into legal language, with the hope of incorporating it into the new Zoning Code, which is being revised by the City of Baltimore for the first time in 30 years.
3) Yesterday we had a big hearing for a proposed bill for a Living Wage in Retail. We helped set up a panel of testimonials by clergy, workers, and others. Unfortunately, the bill died. It was exciting to be part of it, though. It was controversial and covered heavily in the Baltimore press. Here is one article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-living-wage-council-20100722,0,7730729.story
I am also working now on putting together a clergy breakfast to promote the goals of the coalition. There is a lot to do in very little time!
IWJ Summer Interns 2010
Contributors of this blog are students participating in the 2010 Interfaith Worker Justice Summer Internship program.
Seminarian and undergraduate students are spending the summer at unions, workers' centers, and religion labor groups across the country. Their work will build bridges between faith and labor communities, support campaigns involving workers in low-wage jobs, and advocate for the right of all people to be treated with dignity in their work
These are their stories...
Seminarian and undergraduate students are spending the summer at unions, workers' centers, and religion labor groups across the country. Their work will build bridges between faith and labor communities, support campaigns involving workers in low-wage jobs, and advocate for the right of all people to be treated with dignity in their work
These are their stories...
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