On Wednesday June 15, hundreds of people gathered in Cincinnati's Fountain Square holding signs that read: "JANCOA - We will be invisible no more! Uninsured no more, hungry no more, abused no more." A pastor representing AMOS, a local Christian organization which supports the social justice movement, reminded the protestors that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis before leading a protest of striking garbage workers.
The janitors, most of whom were Latino immigrants and african americans led by a union called SEIU, were joined by local Cincinnati activists as they marched on Cincinnati Enquirer building. The Cincinnati Enquirer has a contract with JANCOA - Cincinnati's largest cleaning contractor which opposes reform of the janitorial industry. The protesters took to both sides of the street chanting, "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" and then in Spanish, "Justicia! Ahora!" It was the loudest and most energetic rally I have ever attended in Cincinnati.
After hours of marching and chanting, the union organizers announced a one day strike. Using a loudspeaker they taught the protestors how to say strike in Spanish. Workers, their families and activists joined the Latinos in proclaiming, "Juelga! Juelga! Juelga!"
The struggle continues ...