Three Connecticut leaders to be honored Dec. 3

Three progressive Connecticut leaders will be honored on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. at an annual reception whose theme this year is “Carry the People’s Election Victory Forward!”

Merrilee Milstein, former Northeast regional deputy director of the AFL-CIO, will be recognized for 35 years as union organizer, public official and activist, always in the forefront for a better world.

Roger Vann, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Connecticut, will be recognized as a steadfast fighter for civil rights, equality and democratic rights for all.

The Rev. Emilio Hernandez, community organizer with Connecticut Center for a New Economy, will be recognized for uniting clergy on behalf of those whose voices have not been heard.

Special guest Michael Bayer, state treasurer of Vermont’s Progressive Party, will address “Building Independent Political Action on behalf of Working Families.” The Progressive Party was inspired by Congressman Bernie Sanders, who is a founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is newly elected U.S. Senator from Vermont.

The event will celebrate a year of activism against the war in Iraq and for immigrant rights and workers’ rights, reflected in major get out the vote efforts by labor and community groups which changed control of Congress. Projections will be made for next steps to change the direction of the country and achieve an end to the war, good jobs and health care.

The program, to be held at the New Haven People’s Center, 37 Howe Street, will include poetry, music, an international holiday gift table and a home-cooked light supper. The annual reception is hosted by the People’s Weekly World in Connecticut on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of the Communist Party USA. Suggested donation is $10 or whatever you can afford. For information call (203) 624-8664.