Restoring the California Dream
March 12, 2010
Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director and AFSCME IVP has a message for California politicians: "The status quo is over."The future of California is at stake and nobody knows this better than public workers in the Golden State. That’s why AFSCME members are stepping out to raise awareness of the vital services state and local employees provide to keep their communities strong.
UDW, The Homecare Providers Union, and AFSCME Local 625 member Irene González are spearheading a 260-mile march from Bakersfield to Sacramento.
González, a senior investigator aide for Los Angeles County, was recently joined by AFSCME members, other public employees, and hundreds of supporters, well-wishers and members of the media to launch the March for California’s Future in Bakersfield, Calif.
Their message was clear: For too long, legislators have tried to balance the state budget on the backs of working families. Not anymore.
“To those politicians in Sacramento who like the status quo and who resist change, we have a message: 'The status quo is over,'" said Doug Moore, executive director of UDW and an International vice-president of AFSCME. “You either deliver on your promises and meet the needs of your constituents, or we will put you in the unemployment line so you can see how the other half lives!”
AFSCME, the California Federation of Teachers, and a coalition of labor, education, and civil society groups are leading the march with rallies along the way to highlight the struggles communities are experiencing and the need to fund public services.
The core marchers working to support public services and dedicated to walking 260 miles include a Los Angeles probation officer, a San Diego community college professor, a teacher and community organizer from Watsonville, a retired Berkeley adult educator, and two Los Angeles teachers. They have been joined along the way by hundreds of others.
After 63 miles of marching, participants, AFSCME members and allies held a major rally Wednesday at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park to highlight how budget cuts have forced the closure of state parks and severely curtailed services and operating hours. The park is located at the site of a town once founded and governed by African-Americans. It was established to commemorate the achievements and contributions of African-Americans to the development of California.
Californians want and deserve a public education; they want and deserve safe streets and workplaces; they want and deserve affordable, accessible health care; they want and deserve access to public parks and libraries; and they want and deserve clean water. Unfortunately, community services are slashed year after year. Elected officials need to fight for the public’s interest now.
Polls routinely show that a majority of California voters support public services and want to see programs like education, environmental protections, child care, health care, job training, and mental health services adequately funded. Californians are marching want to promote fairness and equality in our public policies.
“California has always been seen as a place where anything was possible, if you worked hard enough. Unfortunately, equality of opportunity in the Golden State has diminished,” said González. “We want fair taxes. We want better education. We want to be able to live the American Dream for not only ourselves but for the future for our kids.”
Watch television coverage of the March kick-off in Bakersfield:
