Human Rights Zone

The photo below is an indication of how much the media landscape has changed in the past few years. For the pictured event the United Workers emailed only one press release to the daily paper of record and local television media.  The result: Only one traditional outlet covered the event, a far cry from coverage in the past. The other result: Over 500 people marched through Baltimore to the worker-declared human rights zoneat the Inner Harbour.

On April 19th, about 40 members of Media Mobilizing Project traveled down to Baltimore to stand with our allies, the United Workers Association (UWA), as they declared Baltimore's inner harbor a Human Rights Zone. This declaration launched UWA's campaign to reclaim dignity and fair treatment for the low-wage workers employed at the Inner Harbor's restaurants and stores. Milena Velis was one of the MMP members who was at the historic Human Rights Zone March.

This footage is from the B'More Fair at the kick-off to the Human Rights Zone March in Baltimore City in April 2009, and was just posted by Rev. Heber Brown III, a faith ally of the United Workers.  The fair and march were a celebration of human rights values, and brought together low-wage workers from throughout the country who came in solidarity and to stand up for the economic human rights of everyone, everywhere. 

From the FrankTalk Channel on YouTube (thanks Rev. Heber Brown III).