Step Up for Living Wages Tour (Aug 15-18)

Days until the Living Wages Hunger Strike begins: 14
Days until the hunger strike ends: Strike ends when Camden Yards stops paying cleaners a poverty wage

Yesterday the hunger strikers protested outside of the Maryland Stadium Authority's Ocean City Convention Center.  This wrapped up an intense week that started with the announcement press conference on Wednesday and included time for reflection and planning and conducting outreach to state leaders and policy makers.  We were able to directly make our case to the state's political leaders while they met for the MACO conference.  And we were also able to focus on the steps ahead as we prepare for the Living Wages Hunger Strike to start on Sept 3.

Day 4: Protest at Maryland Stadium Authority's convention center in Ocean City
We woke up early this morning and started the day with Linett leading a silent prayer.  The focus of today was "Getting Heard" - so once the vans were packed and the St. Paul's by the Sea church cleaned up we reviewed our messaging strategy in a workshop prepared by the Communications Team.  Following the workshop strikers made signs for the protest and headed to the convention center.

We arrived as the convention ended and as the state's leaders and policy makers headed out of the parking lot.  As cars exited we handed out flyers to drivers and passangers and protested poverty wages from the exit gate.  Many of the drivers gave a thumbs up and honked horns in support.  Some drivers had been targeted the day before when we caught up with political leaders as they went from session to session.

Robert and Ben led the group of strikers in chants for human rights and economic justice at Camden Yards.  

After the convention center was cleared out, we had our sack lunches and prepared for the long journey back to Baltimore as we continue down the Underground Railroad to freedom from poverty.

Day 3: Harriet Tubman and the Undgerground Railroad historic site
Today was about "Unity." We drove from the church where we were staying and witnessed the incredible strength of human rights hero Harriet Tubman.  We visited the historic site near her birth place.  We watched documentaries on the life of Harriet Tubman.

At the Harriet Tubman historic site.

When we got back the church, Lamont facilitated the Unity Session.  Lamont spoke in very powerful terms about how simple unity really is, asking strikers and allies to hold out our arms and raise the yellow and black unity bands that show our commitment to the Living Wages Hunger Strike.  The bands were placed on our wrists at the Staying on Track Retreat - yellow marks one's commitment to hunger strike. Black marks commitment to solidarity with those who hunger strike.

Day 2: Lessons Learned:
We spent the day focusing on lessons learned. Luis and Bernadino led the discussion, where they shared learned experiences as members of movements for economic justice in their home country of Guatemala.

Bernadino shared of the struggle in his small town, where their water was being contaminated and stolen from them by Big Coal. After protesting and appealing to the government with little success, members of the community decided to hunger strike. After a six day hunger strike, the government was forced to meet the community's demands and force Big Coal to leave the community alone.

As a student organizer in Guatemala, Luis was very active at the public University when the government raised gas and electricity rates. National protest ensued over the rate hikes that would further impoverish Guatemalans. Luis and other students with the support of the community, started a hunger strike which resulted in the government reducing gas and electric cost on the seventh day of the hunger strike.

The stories of war torn Guatemala that Luis and Bernadino told brought many for us to tears, helping us better understand their reason for immigrating to this country in order to escape violence and terror.

11 strikers announce the Living Wages Hunger Strike at Camden Yards to start Sept 3, 2007.

Day 1: Living Wages Hunger Strike Announced
Today we announced the Living Wages Hunger Strike.  11 workers at Camden Yards will strike until a living wage is secured.  After the announcement we met at St. John's in Mt. Washington with Iris to talk about health and wellbeing during the hunger strike.

Maria talks to reporters at the Living Wages Hunger Strike announcement

Strikers meet with health and well-being coordinator Iris to talk about health issues relating to hunger striking.

Here's a quote from the Baltimore Sun article and a link to the full article.

Luis Larin once fasted six days to protest rising electricity rates in his native Guatemala.

Now a day laborer in Baltimore, Larin is among 11 current and former temporary workers who will begin a hunger strike Sept. 3 to secure higher wages for those who pick up the trash at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

"We think it's the only way we'll get attention and get a living wage for workers," Larin said through a Spanish interpreter.

United Workers
Low-wage workers leading the way to poverty's end.