Attendance at labor events surgeS; Labor Night at the Nats tickets still on sale

Riding a wave of solidarity, DC-area labor events are attracting record participation numbers. This year’s DC LaborFest saw record turnout at dozens of events including a standing-room only crowd for the AFI screening of Matewan with a live appearance by director John Sayles. And Labor Heritage Foundation Executive Director Elise Bryant reports overfill registration for its2017 Great Labor Arts Exchange, the annual  conference, training and celebration of artists and musicians whose work strengthens the labor movement.  “No surprise, then, that Labor Night at the Nats is seeing a surge in early tickets sales—perhaps the biggest in its 11-year history,” says Kathleen McKirchy, executive director of the Community Service Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO (CSA). Nearly 6,000 tickets have already been sold for labor families expecting to enjoy a cold one or two at the  Friday evening,July 28 game.  “I think there’s a lot of feeling out there  that it’s time to come together and remind each other that we are a community not just of workers, but friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters and caring citizens.”  Labor Night at the Nats is one of three family-oriented sporting events organized by CSA each year. Proceeds from these events go to support CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund which provides area union members with critical financial support in times of need.  Tickets for Labor Night at the Nats may be purchased individually or by group.  Groups that purchase 50 tickets or more receive scoreboard recognition and raffle entry to win an autographed Nats baseball. Download CSA’s flyer here, or call 202-974-8221. 
- Matt Losak; 2009 Labor Night at the Nats photo by Chris Garlock

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