Connecticut celebration highlights jobs and freedom

Guest speaker Jamie Wilson will highlight the 39th Annual African American History Month Celebration, “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn us around – pushing forward for jobs and freedom,” hosted by the Connecticut People’s World.

Wilson, author and associate professor of Modern United States and African American History at Salem State University in Massachusetts has a new book coming out this year, “The Civil Rights Movement.”

The event marks 150 years since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery and 50 years since the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

The events will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. in Hartford at La Paloma Sabanera, 405 Capitol Avenue and on Sunday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m. in New Haven at the Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street.

The youth group New Elm City Dream, which is leading a march for Love, Jobs and Peace from the Peoples Center the week before to make the connection between the urgency for job creation and ending violence, will greet the celebration.

The call to the celebration states that the large turnout by African American, Latino and youth voters despite attempts at voter suppression “represents a rising determination in the continuing struggle to end inequality, racism and war. Momentum is growing with demands for public investment in jobs, education, youth needs, and immigrant rights.”

CT Students for a DREAM will also greet the event in New Haven.  These youth are leading the campaign for fair and inclusive immigration reform, inspired by the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, and calling for a path to citizenship for all 11 million without documents.

Also in New Haven, prizes will be awarded to participants in the high school arts and writing competition. Drumming will be performed by Brian Jarawa Gray, and songs by Scotticesa Marks.   Children’s posters drawn on Martin Luther King’s birthday at the Peabody Museum on the theme “Because I am free I can….” will be on exhibit.

Both programs will include a light buffet. Tickets are $5 or what you can afford.

A collection will be taken for the 2013 People’s World fund drive in Connecticut. The daily online publication is available at peoplesworld.org and on Facebook.

For more information call 203-624-8664 or e-mail ct-pww@pobox.com.