WASHINGTON, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) is sponsoring a candlelight vigil at Lafayette Park across from the White House this Thursday, Apr. 13 at 7:30 pm to seek an end to exploitation of the world's workers.
More than 1,500 USWA members from across the country will be joined by students, human and religious rights activists and environmental leaders for speeches and music by candlelight to demonstrate a growing movement to rewrite the rules of globalization and trade that puts people first. Steelworkers are also gathering with local coalitions for simultaneous candlelight vigils at the front doors of several dozen targeted district congressional offices around the U.S.
USWA President George Becker, who is speaking at the vigil, says Steelworkers and their families in communities across America are mobilizing to send a clear message: ``Don't let Congress sacrifice America's commitment to human rights and our country's industrial jobs by rewarding worker oppression.''
In the past month, Steelworkers have flooded Congress with 220,000 handwritten letters opposing Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China that would exploit both Chinese and American workers.
The USWA's White House vigil will be under a stage banner: ``Workers' Freedom Lights the Way, Steelworkers' Candlelight Vigil for Exploited Workers.'' Steelworkers from across the U.S. are also participating in an AFL-CIO rally today and a USWA congressional lobby day Apr. 13 in opposition to the China PNTR issue.
Attention TV & Radio, Photo Assignment Editors:
A press riser and audio mult-box will be setup with stage lighting in Lafayette Park with ``Workers' Freedom'' banner, participants with placards and candles providing many photo opportunities and interviews.