SEATTLE –The UmojaFest Unity Forum: “Environmental Justice Meets Social Justice”, TONIGHT, August 6th, 6:30-9:00; Seattle Vocational Institute (21st & Jackson).
Over the past year Seattle community leaders and activists came together to reflect on the events of the WTO Riots of 1999. One of the most pressing questions was the lack of unity many activists felt was missing ten years prior. Ironically, the very people being advocated for were conspicuously absent from much of the events occurring downtown. Leaders who advocate for communities of color, immigrants rights’ or against poverty were asked by activists 10 years later as to why there was a lack of diversity and solidarity in 1999.
How could issues of social justice or environmental justice intersect in order to foster greater unity along racial, economic, and cultural lines?
To address this dilemma even further you are all invited to tonight’s UmojaFest Unity Forum: Environmental Justice Meets Social Justice” which will take place at Seattle Vocational Institute (rm 401), tonight, August 6th, 2010, (6:30-9:00 pm) that will kick off the Umoja Fest Seafair Weekend . This forum is an opportunity to bring together civic leaders, educators and residents from various perspectives and backgrounds in order to have a constructive dialogue towards positive change in our community.
We will be joined by internationally renowned human rights attorney and current Jackson, Mississippi City Councilman Chokwe Lumumba. Councilman Lumumba will provide his insights on the challenges and more importantly, the opportunities before us to move towards greater unity. Also speaking will be Thao Tran, Assistant to Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn; Councilmember Mike O’Brien, and Tim Harris of Real Change among others.
We believe your participation in this forum will greatly enrich the discussion as we bring elders and leaders together on behalf of our sons and daughters. The days of solo-ism and competing interests has stymied past efforts to move forward; we therefore are extending a peaceful invitation to everyone in order to build relationships and positive change in Seattle.