UPDATE: Over 350 registrations so far and more are pouring in. Organizers expect more than 500 people will participate.
** * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * * *
DATE: December 9, 2011
CONTACT:
Ashley Wolf, Students for Peace and Global Justice (Students Stand Up), 732-552-8107
James Haslam, VT Workers’ Center, 802-272-0882
Human Rights For The 99%:
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Occupy Wall Street and national grassroots organizers join hundreds in Vermont for Human Rights Day Conference
hosted by Students for Peace and Global Justice (Students Stand Up) and Vermont Workers' Center
BURLINGTON, VT - On December 10, international Human Rights Day the University of Vermont group called Students for Peace and Global Justice, better known as, Student Stand Up and the Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC) are hosting a major all day conference that features dozens of workshops, panel discussions, a human rights rally, celebration dinner and the premiere of a new film about the community response after the Tropical Storm Irene disaster and the human impact which lead to the exacerbation of suffering in its wake.
Through grassroots campaigns like Healthcare is a Human Right and Put People First! The People’s Budget campaign, Vermont’s human rights movement has seen explosive growth and has made connections with counterparts around the country.
“Everyday we are hearing from new people in Vermont and across this country who are excited to join a growing movement of people fed up with the status quo. More and more of us are realizing that when you have a system that produces obscene wealth for 1% at the expense of 99% and the planet, you need a new system,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “What we see in Vermont and with the 99% movement around the country is the beginning of a new era for real democracy and public policy that must be centered on human rights and maintaining a livable planet.”
At 1pm there will be a Cut the Cards & Human Rights Rally at the Oval Entrance of the Davis Center. “It will be a rally against the corporate offenders who have violated our human rights, standing in solidarity with people all over the world who are honoring International Human Rights Day,” said Ashley Wolf, from Students Stand Up, a UVM-based student activist group.
Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, the Vermont Workers' Center will dramatically cut up an over-sized version of their Bank of America Credit Card and announce a move to a local credit union. After the rally, there will be ten workshops on topics such as Workers Rights and the Right to Education for the 99%, Healthcare Is a Human Right, The Labor Behind the Milk Jug: Building Solidarity for Migrant Justice in Vermont, Building Neighbors Who Care: Anti-Racism/ Anti-Oppression Work in Our Movement and Human Right to a Healthy Environment & Livable Planet.
From 4-5:30pm, there will also be a People’s Movement Assembly Panel featuring Senator Bernie Sanders and members from Students Stand Up, Put People First Campaign & Mobile Home Residents for Equality and Fairness, Migrant Justice, 350 Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self Advocates, United Workers (Baltimore) and Occupy Wall Street/NYC and CAAAV – Organizing Asian Communities. From the panel there will also be an official launch of a new project called Vermont Parents United.
At the celebration dinner that evening, there will be the premiere of “Strength of the Storm”, a documentary film about the impact of Tropical Storm Irene on Vermont communities.
More Information:
December 10 Conference: www.workerscenter.org/december10 or call (802) 861-4892.
Watch trailer for Strength of the Storm at www.strengthofthestorm.org