Marching to Preserve Allensworth

March 15, 2010

Participants in the March for California's Future

Doug Moore, executive director of UDW, the Homecare Providers Union, and an International vice-president of AFSCME helped lead a demonstration last week as part of the March for California’s Future.

The march is a 48-day, 260-mile trek to call attention to the urgent need for California's elected officials to rebuild a government and economy that work for all. AFSCME and its allies are working to reclaim a fair and equitable tax system that invests in the future of the state.

Moore wrote about the demonstration on the Huffington Post:

“I stood among many dozens of marchers and supporters who congregated there, some holding signs and shouting slogans, others singing or praying, to highlight how budget cuts are eroding our state parks and quality of life. Standing on a site rich with a legacy of hope for a better future and a fairer society, we called for the governor and legislature to restore public service and public education funding and services for all Californians.”

The demonstration occurred at what is now Allensworth State Park, formerly the site of the first California town built, inhabited, governed and financed entirely by African Americans.

“It is in our hands now to make sure that Allensworth – both the park and the legacy – will survive. It is up to us to assure that this important chapter in our history is left for the next generation to visit and appreciate. Stand up for historic parks like Allensworth. Fight for quality public services and public education.”