August 27th was a clear day. I feared that Hurricane Irene was going to rain on the party, but she didn't. And I so desperately wanted to canvas this event for the OFA, toot the horn for it on Kos, and let the world know about another wet of organizations that were opposed to the Tea Party, Ann Marie Buerkle, and the and the all round Republican joke in general. I cut my walk short because I knew Michele was going to pick me up soon to drive us over to this event on time. In one motion, I showered, changed, and choked down my lunch to be ready.
On the way we discussed our plans on how to do our job while observing our host's protocols, and checking if we had the necessary materials for canvassing. We needed two more clipboards, so Michele stopped at a Kwiki Mart and bought them. Then Michele found some parking space on Washington St., and we started walking to the Federal Building. Caitlin found us there.
That's where it was going to happen. The motorcycles would roar in at around 2:00 pm down Clinton St.
Citizen Action of New York and the Most Wanted Motorcycle Club of Rochester, New York were there, SEIU was there, as well as the CWA, and I'd like to say that the OFA was there - in sympathy - to deliver a message to Congresswoman Buerkle that the 25th District wasn't happy!
Gerry Lotierzo of SEIU was in high spirits as he greeted me. I made the introductions for our group, We got organized, I set down some ground rules and we made some new friends - and got to work. We signed up a lot of people for President Obama's "I'm In" campaign.
But it was the event itself that was unforgettable. The organizers were diverse, but united in their purpose.
According to Organizing Director Rosemary Rivera, Citizen Action of New York is a non-political organization dedicated to the promotion of social, racial and economic justice, that works at the grassroots level and builds progressive coalitions toward that end. Rivera, the organizer of this event, told me that she was always looking for the OFA's involvement in events back in Rochester.
According to their website:
We look for opportunities to accomplish big changes – not small, incremental reforms. We work to elect progressive candidates to office who are committed to these issues.
C.A. of NY is an affiliate of USAction, a federation of state political action groups similar to Citizen Action of New York. It itself grew out of Citizen Action of America which operated in the 80's and 90's. The name "Citizen Action" is still popular among the state and local organizations.
USAction also operates the online group True Majority founded by Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.
National Affiliates of USAction are: AFSCME, CWA and SEIU. This is in keeping with the earlier Citizen Action's tradition of maintaining close labor ties.
Citizen Action's Organizing Director is Rosemary Rivera, a genial person in her 40's, who was born in NYC. She studied Political science at State University of New York at Brockport, and is a resident of Rochester. She studied Criminal Justice at Monroe Community College. I found Rosemary to be engaging, dedicated and very helpful to anyone who was willing to get involved. She - the Organizing Director for New York State was willing to take the time to talk to me.
In Syracuse, the head honcho would be Tanika Jones, an alumnus of Nottingham High School, who studied social work at Syracuse University. She Joined Citizen Action in 2006, and worked on Senator Dave Valesky's campaign for State Senator.
Jones protested state cuts to education in Albany this year in March. She has been very active against inequality in education. It is very important to her, as her concern for a quality education was an important part in raising her children.
As for Most Wanted, what can I say? They are big, burly men with patches and bandanas who ride in the best tradition of mainstream bikers. In the tradition of many MCs, some of whom are veterans and even active duty personnel, they uphold an honorable tradition of working for their communities, of being for their communities, of existing for their communities. In the words of the Sons of Armageddon:
We will be well known for our excellence in community charitable events, education, communication, political action, and strategic planning. We will be a democratic organization with deeply held values and ideals that advance the quality of life for its present and future members and their families.
Well the Hogs rolled in. The full contingent couldn't come, due to a tragedy which informed the event with the very kind of violence that Most Wanted rides against.
They ride for charity, saving the youth, anti-violence, and jobs. They rode for Sen Robach At the Old Timer Club Picnic, and escorted Att. Gen. candidate Eric Schneiderman at Rosemary's request in Rochester visiting striking workers.
Amid cheers and felicitations, the gentlemen arrived and the ceremony began.
Why were they there? To protest the the wrongheaded approach of the House towards cutting the deficit by cuts to our social safety set, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and the role that Representative Ann Marie Buerkle is playing for this.
Pastor Phyllis C. Lee of the Heavenly Vision Apostolic Church of 121 Rose Avenue in the Southwest neighborhood of Syracuse, in her introduction of Most Wanted's spokesman Charlie Hayward, made the point succinctly:
As a former teacher, and a pastor here in Syracuse, I see, have seen first hand the effects of the budget cuts, what the budget cuts has done in the school system. We all know what our Congresswoman Buerkle is trying to do, she's working on cutting Medicare, and Medicaid, and other social programs that would have a great impact on most of us. And we are not going to stand still and let that happen without a fight.
All around were signs that said: "Most Wanted: Jobs not Cuts!," or "Kickin' Ass For the Middle Class!," "Close Tax Loopholes!," and "Hands off Social Security!" People cheered at every sentence pastor Lee spoke, and regaled her with: "No Justice, No Peace!"
And then the big guy came to speak, reminding us that jobs give youth direction, and lessen instances of violence:
We recently experienced a loss in our family through violence. We feel that it is a direct reflection upon the lack of jobs throughout the state, throughout our communities. This kids of ours, I've stated before, a lot of the young people that are out here, there's nothing for them to do. There's nothing for them to do. So this is gonna, that this is definitely we feel, is one of the leading causes for violence, is lack of jobs. Lack of opportunities to work. We are here today to call our Congressman Buerkle, which is our member of Congress, to stop voting on the cuts that are keeping our people in poverty. She needs to be voting against them. Be persistent in, in, in taking part of the lawmaking that's going to provide us with jobs in our communities. We are very concerned with Congressman's, with the Congresswoman's colleagues and herself, their voting histories. For the past few months, they've voted to cut vital programs in Medicare, in Medicaid, and Social Security. We are grateful that these cuts didn't come forth the way that they had planned to, such as the Ryan budget. That didn't go through. But it does make us wonder where she stands, and what she's representing. I think she may have lost her way to the people that she's supposed to be representing which is us. Cutting federal dollars that allow these programs to help our families (inaudible) this is simply unacceptable. And then shifting the money to line the pockets of the wealthy is ridiculous!
He continued to zero in on the problem, and then offer a solution:
The deal that was passed before the Congress that came home, excuse me, the deal that was passed just before Congress came home was a bad one for us. For Central New York, Rochester, Monroe County, for all of us. For all of us. We need proper representation. Medicare is the social insurance policy that covers our medical insurance and hospital bills, and medication for our elderly. There is no room for cuts! There should be no cuts! We've all, I've supported, my personal income has supported all of these things since I started working! Since I was fourteen years old! They shouldn't be running short! All the people before me, they've contributed forty years of work into this system. They shouldn't be running short. It is in the wrong pocket! Medicaid, is the United States health system for lower income families, for people who really need assistance. Ah, do I do feel that this system needs to be revamped. (inaudible) I feel that having children when you can't afford, on the back of everyone who is fortunate enough to work and support you is unfair. It needs to change! Here is what I know: In order to kickstart our community, we've got to make some real changes. We need good job plans in place. We can't cut away at the deficit by itself! Congresswoman Buerkle and her partners in Washington want to cut the vital programs, using these savings to put more money into the pockets of those who already have enough, instead of back to us!
After well deserved applause, it was time for Rosemary, the Organizing Director - to bring it home. When she did though, it was with the statement that the program we are fighting can only be a beginning, not the panacea, but the spark, or catalyst of a new engine of labor in this country that could grow the economy and this community, and ended with a challenge to Representative Buerkle to make the bold choice, and support the people:
Now people are not acknowledging, 15.9% in July, this July, of African Americans were unemployed! 15.9. That's if you're black and in this country, you're twice as likely as a white person not to have a job. Your (inaudible) doubles. And for Hispanics it would be 11.9, a little better than African Americans, but just as bad. And somehow for me, I say when you create a jobs bill, I just don't want the engineers going back to work, I want these factories to open, I want places, I want middle class, blue class workers to have a job, because that's what's going to hit my home. That's what is going to decrease - there is a real correlation between poverty and a lack of jobs and violence. And these guys really fight against the violence in our communities, and I applaud them for that. But Lord knows that - you know, what do we want, like part of me really said: you know, what is most wanted in our community? Most wanted? Jobs! Most wanted? Healthcare! Most wanted? A vibrant and good community! What, that's what's most wanted! What's not wanted in this community, is tax breaks for the rich that ain't going to do nothing for me and for you! And so my question to Congresswoman Buerkle today is: "Whose side are you on?" Whose side are you on Congresswoman Buerkle, because I bet you if I knock on Onondaga St., on Webster Avenue, or anywhere down here, I bet you I'm not going to find too many millionaires and billionaires! So, why are you representing them, and you're not representing the American families of this community? That's who you are supposed to be representing! I don't want to hear that: "Oh, well you know, the rich are going to give us a whole bunch of jobs!" Guess what? Exxon just got a ton of tax breaks, and what they do? They ain't giving nobody a job! They laid people off! So come on now! What, that's what you using my tax dollars for? No way! So, I just want to say, you know, let's do a little chanting here okay?
After which she lead us in a rousing chant:
SO WHAT DO WE WANT? JOBS! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW! SO WHAT DO WE WANT? JOBS! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW! SO WHAT DO WE WANT? JOBS! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW!
And so, we ended the rally at about 3:00 pm, and then retired to the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Willow St. It's a nice biker place, where the blues flows hot, the ribs fall off the bone, and the company is lively.
We had the upper floor all to ourselves, and Citizen Action sprang for the food. All were welcome! So I had the chicken.
At this point I must tell you that I'm not able to upload the audio for these next two quotes, because I've got video card problems on my main computer, and my IPad 1 can't cut it. I'll fix that when the main computer is up and running.
Anyhow, I got to interviewing Charlie Hayward of Most Wanted, and he explained to me how Most Wanted got together, and gave me his outlook on their purpose:
My name is Charlie. My club is: 'Most Wanted' of Rochester, NY. 'Most Wanted' stands for: 'Men Of Serious Tenaciousness With All Natural Talents Educated Daily.' That's what we ride for every day. You have to be participant to your, into your, a functioning participant in your community. This is what we do. Last year, Rosemary came to the club, she approached the club, and escorted the Attorney General throughout the city. He wanted to hit all the local spots where young people die. Suffered from violence. She approached us again this year, for this cause. The cause was the jobs. To shake the tree of Congresswoman Buerkle, to start making decisions that are conducive of our needs, instead of the politicians and all the blue columns, all of the corporations. She's doing things and making decisions in their favor. She is considering cutting things that shouldn't even be on the table to cut. Well she (Rosemary) approached us about the cause, these are things that we are looking in, you know, to do to support our own, the grassroots. Okay, we are an original chapter. When she came to us it was short notice. We decided we were going to take it on! In the midst of that we had our own personal tragedy through violence. So that fortified our intent on helping this cause. We are 23 deep as a club. We are one of the largest clubs in Rochester. As you can see, our members right now are diminished, in part because of the tragedy. But they are with us in spirit. We decided as a club, that the available members were going to continue on and to support this rally. Driving home the message of jobs. These kids are out here in the street right now, but I see it every day. Every day. I live in the city. These kids are on the streets, they have nothing to do. They have no jobs. And a lot of the jobs that are being taken, when I go to Walmart, when I go to Applebee's, when I go to uh, Arbie's, I see older folk still working! Their intent with their colleagues is for older folk to work until they drop dead! Okay? Sixty five is not an amicable retirement age anymore! Now you want to raise it to 67! That's ridiculous! You're talking about people who have paid into the system, that already have 40 or 50 years of work! And they still have to work? That's insane! And if they have to take the jobs, then what jobs do you have for young people? How do you cut things like Medicare, and Medicaid? These are systems that we pay into. They're not free! I wouldn't even feel they have the right to even look at cutting these things! I know people personally in my family, live off of less than a thousand dollars a month! How the hell do you top that? Their focus is on the wrong thing, so you need to bring them back to us. So that's what we're riding here for. We need jobs in this community!
"
Charlie Hayward looks every inch the biker: Great girth, bandana, heavy beard, covered in leather. Yet here he was explaining to me the socioeconomic and political situation and what to do about it as succinctly as a talking head on MSNBC, and certainly better than I could. He talked like a man who saw it all, and lived it. He is very passionate, and very real.
And so is Rosemary Rivera.
I asked her when she got started as an activist:
Oh, many years ago. Actually I got started right here in Syracuse at Syracuse United Neighbors a long, long time ago. Finally realized that thing just weren't fair, didn't understand how all the oppression was happening. And something just wasn't right in Kansas spelled the United States you know? So I got involved. I got angry. That's what happened.
I rather clumsily mumbled something about how I got really angry after seeing Fahrenheit 911. (I should've mentioned that my concern for this country was building steadily since 9/11, that I saw how Bush was misusing the anger of this country for his own and Republican purposes, was egged on by Progressive radio, and finally resolved to join the Kerry campaign in Meetups after seeing the movie.)
Anyway, she wasn't impressed with that response:
Right, well I didn't get to see those movies, but I did get to see what was wrong with my communitie's, umm, I got to see how the rich get richer and how that disparity became even larger, how percentage wise the rich less in taxes than the average American worker. Warren Buffett said it really well. He said: "I just paid 6 million dollars in taxes, and it still wasn't enough because I paid percentage wise less than my secretary." And there's definitely an income disparity in, right here in Syracuse, Rochester and everywhere else in the country.
I asked her what she thought about Warren Buffett, and she seemed to agree with his rather forthright attitude about fair taxation:
I have a lot of respect for the Warren Buffetts of the world. I have nothing against someone working hard, earning money and accumulating wealth. I really don't. But, if you are going to accumulate wealth, I think it's our system that's broken. It's not, it's not that... it's not a good thing to go out and earn money - no! Good God! God bless you if you had a creative idea and you - you know, did, invented the IPod, you should make money on it. You should capitalize on, umm, on some of those things. That's fine. What I'm saying is, our system needs to be reworked so the people who are earning X number of dollars are taxed at a fairer rate. So, and that doesn't happen (inaudible).
Somehow this reminded me of Ed Schultz's commercial on the empty storage crates. I called them warehouses, and mentioned how I too would like to see them filled with American products. Rosemary agreed that we are not capitalizing on the creativity of the American people, and that this has severely hurt us in Central and Western New York:
I'd love to see many warehouses filled stuff, and we have not done very well in capitalizing on some of our creative activity. With the (inaudible) the a lot of like, different, we have a lot of brain power here that has created things that we have not been able to capitalize on, that have been good for our economy and New York State, particularly Central and Western New York. Instead, we've had the loss of factories, the loss of many jobs in these areas, and it's steadily becoming more depressed. I wouldn't be surprised to see tumbleweed coming down Onondaga Street. So, there you have it.
I felt greatly edified at the end of this conversation. Anyway, the timing was right because everyone was getting ready to go. I said hi to Gerry, and asked him how SEIU works with Citizen Action in Syracuse. I felt like I got everything from him but the secret handshake. And he introduced me to Tamika Jones, head of Citizen Action here in Syracuse.
I felt that I made some new friends who'd like to work with the OFA!
By the way, what does America working look like?
This is what America working looks like!