They say cut back – We say Fight Back!
The California Partnership, Bay Area Budget Coalition and the statewide Health and Human Services Network joined 150 people on a march through downtown Oakland on April 5. 
Organized by the Alameda County Central Labor Council, the march and rally called for big banks to invest in our communities and create good jobs locally. The march began at Morgan Stanley offices, proceeded down Broadway with a stop at Community Bank of the Bay and Wells Fargo, where labor leaders noted the differences between banks that are accountable to Wall Street and those accountable to the people.
State budget justice advocates joined the rally because our high unemployment rate could be directly affected by decisions that state legislators make as they decide the budget between now and June.
At the rally, Jessica Lehman of the Community Resources for Independent Living addressed the crowd about potential budget cuts that threaten jobs for Californians. “People with disabilities rely on In-Home Supportive Services to pay for attendants, so they can get to work each day. Californians depend on child care so parents can go to work, on adult day health centers so family members can work, on health services so people can work. Plus, these programs employ thousands of people! If the state cuts In-Home Supportive Services, as Governor Schwarzenegger wants to do, California’s unemployment will rise by a full 1%.”
Read about this event in the People’s World!
