April 4 rally in downtown Asheville will celebrate unions; group will stand in solidarity with Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana workers

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the note from loyal reader Mark:

Jason,

I hope you are well.

Today, I am writing on behalf of Mark Case, President of the WNC-Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. As I’m sure you are aware on April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life. The workers were trying to form a union with AFSCME.

Beginning with worship services over the April 1 weekend, and continuing through the week of April 4, unions, people of faith, civil  and human rights activists, students and other progressive allies will host a range of community- and workplace-focused actions. In Asheville, we will be joining in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for: the freedom to bargain, to vote, to afford a college education and justice for all workers, immigrant and native-born.

Our event will be held on April 4th at Pack Square downtown from 6-7pm. I have attached the flyer. We would love get the info out over the Ashvegas blog to spread the word out to your readers. We are hoping for a crowd of several hundred.