Happy Independence Day!
Today, WPFW is commemorating Independence Day with "Let Freedom...Sing: a vocal music multicultural celebration of America" and Union City Radio is proud to explore that theme with a special "Let Freedom...Sing: Voice of the Workers" show at 2 pm this afternoon. From Paul Robeson to Woody Guthrie and Rihanna to Cesar Chavez and Howard Zinn, we’ll listen to a people’s perspective on patriotism. Hope you can join us! Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1916, the American Federation of Labor dedicated its new Washington, D.C. headquarters building at 9th and Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, where the AFL remained until its 1955 merger with the CIO and moved to its current location at 16th and I. The building, declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974, remained a trade union headquarters until 2005, when it was sold to the developers of the Washington Marriott Marquis, staffed by union hotel workers. The building’s exterior, the only historical element remaining, is now part of that structure. Today’s labor quote is from the cornerstone inscription on the old AFL headquarters building, written by founder Samuel Gompers, which said: "American Federation of Labor, Founded 1881. This edifice erected for service: in the cause of Labor-Justice-Freedom-Humanity." One last thing: for many, today is a federal holiday and I hope you’re one of those enjoying a paid day off. But many American workers either must work today or are not paid for the holiday. Paid leave is one of the worker rights the American labor movement has long fought for, and we’ll continue to do so, no matter what the bosses say.
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