JWJ "I'll Be There Awards" Honor UFCW 400 Members

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)UFCW Local 400 rank-and-file members Kinetra Byrd, Eric Marshall (r), and Franklin Carter are among the honorees at Thursday’s 9th annual I’ll Be There Awards. The three workers “have been incredibly active in the Walmart: Respect DC campaign” says DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Mackenzie Baris. Thursday’s event will feature performances by women's a cappella group SongRise and performance artist Quique Aviles, as well as wine, beer and light fare. In addition to speaking out at rallies and meeting with District City Council members to make the giant retailer – which wants to build four new stores in the District -- more accountable to District citizens and workers, Byrd, Marshall and Carter have spent many weekends this year canvassing District neighborhoods for the Respect DC  campaign. Other awardees include artist/activist Head-ROC, Sarahi Uribe of the National Day Labor Organizing Network and the Drop Daycon! Coalition at the University of Maryland; for more on the Awards and this year’s honorees, visit DC JWJ’s website.