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DEL.ICIO.USBlogwatch: Unions say they’ll bring the potato salad to ‘Family Day’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is what happens when Republicans try to throw a block party. Everybody thinks the invitation applies to him.
As they did two years ago, GOP lawmakers said they had reserved Saturday, Feb. 10, for ‘Family Day’ at the state Capitol — a day to draw back the curtain of legislative mystery for the glowing faces of young children, to allow them to discover for themselves that the world of politics is very much like the world of Spongebob Squarepants, right down to the squirrel with the fishbowl on his head.
And as they did two years ago, union leaders have declared they’ll use ‘Family Day’ to rally their troops. This time for a hike in the minimum wage.
Blog for Democracy has this message today from Tasso Knight, a lobbyist for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1996:
“Remember the fun we had two years ago on Family Day with a march from the stadium to the Capitol? With this just being announced (and I am sure the short notice was intentional) we have less that two weeks to put this together. We look to have at least 200 family, friends, union and coalition members standing with us on this day.”
Comments
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By Lily Toad
January 30, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
Well, minimum wage does impact children, so why can’t Family Day include advocates for real family issues? I seem to remember many gay parents showing up, too.
By carrie
January 30, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Ha! Serve them right!!! They should also have gay rights advocates with children march and demand that they be legally granted the right to marry in the State Of Georgia!! Family Day indeed!!! What could a bunch of heartless republicans know about families?
By SharonH
January 30, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Oh, this could be fun! I think I’ll pencil it in on my calendar.
By Sarah
January 31, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Well the rich, white Republicans mean for you to bring your family as long as they look just like theirs. Got brown skin - need not apply. Have two mommies or daddies - not welcome. Only have one mommy with two jobs - don’t bother. I hope tons of people show up to show them what family really means!
By TK
January 31, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this
Arriving at the Capitol today, I was very disappointed to learn that the Speaker of the Georgia House had taken away our reserved time for our Working Family Day gathering and press conference. The State Representative that had secured the steps for us was contacted through his office by the Georgia Building Authority and told they were revoking the reserved time at the request of the Speakers Office.
I then went to a State Senator and asked if they would request the same time reserved for the Capitol steps and they were told by the Building Authority that no request would be taken by anyone to reserve the steps on Family Day.
So, it appears we are not the families in Georgia that the Speaker would like to have at the Capitol on this special Saturday session, February 10, for Family Day. Other groups during this session have reserved the steps at different times with no problems that I am aware of.
Now, we have talked with Mayor Shirley Franklin and she says we are more than welcome to have a Working Family Day gathering and press conference on the City Hall steps on the Mitchell Street side that is about a half block down from the Washington Street steps of the Capitol. After the press conference we will then march the half block to the steps on the Washington Street side of the Capitol. Those that want can then go in and visit with their State Representative or Senator at that time.
We will have our Working Family Day gathering starting at 9:00a.m. Saturday, February 10. The press conference will be at 9:30a.m and between 9:45a.m and 10:00a.m we will march to the Capitol and observe the Family Day with the Legislature as planned and have a great time. And we will show those trying to suppress the working families in Georgia that we will not go away.
Now, with your help, we can really build a crowd of working families, friends and coalition members and observe Family Day on February 10. The link below is directions to City Hall if you need them. Please email this to everyone you have previously emailed as well as correct any flyers with the updated location to avoid confusion. http://www.atlantaga.gov/residents/directions.aspx
Thanks to all, and I look forward to seeing you on Family Day.