South Central Michigan Greens
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Calhoun, Hillsdale, and Jackson Counties Local
People and planet over profit.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 10, 2019
For more information:
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Monika Dittmann Schwab, Local Contact/SCMiGreens
John Anthony La Pietra, Co-Founder/SCMiGreen
Labor History Walk in Marshall
Starts 10am Saturday, September 7
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Help Clean Up the Town on Home Tour Saturday;
"Make the Connection" between Labor, Labor Day
Weather Permitting, Picnic at Ketchum Park After
SCMiG to Discuss Plans August 17 in Jackson
The South Central Michigan Greens local will step off on its annual
Labor Day celebration -- the Labor History Walk, starting across from
the VFW Hall on East Michigan Avenue in Marshall -- at 10am on Saturday,
September 7.
Local co-founder John Anthony La Pietra of Marshall will lead the walk
-- which links two American Labor Landmarks in town, and aims to help
residents and visitors in town for the annual Historic Home Tour "Make
the Connection" between labor and Labor Day.
The starting point is the site of the founding of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the first labor unions in the
US, in 1863. Nearby stands another monument, to the 1847 Crosswhite
Incident in which townspeople protected an escaped slave and his family
from agents of their former owner.
Walkers will proceed to and through downtown, cleaning up as they go.
The route will reach the Marshall Area Farmers' Market and the Marshall
Peace Park before ending at the place where union founder J. C. "Yankee"
Thompson's home now stands at 633 West Hanover Street.
Weather and other circumstances permitting, area Greens hope to have a
celebratory potluck picnic afterward at Ketchum Park -- roughly on the
way back to the VFW Hall.
A map of the route is available at:
The walk is also a Facebook event, at:
"Michigan has a total of fifteen entries in the Inventory of American
Labor Landmarks, and two of them are right here in Marshall," notes La
Pietra, who has been making the walk for several years.
"They give us a way to remember what Labor Day is all about. We welcome
anyone who is willing to join us in taking time, on a holiday brought to
us BY the People, to honor the other benefits grassroots organized
working people have brought all of us . . . everything from safer
workplaces to workdays and -weeks short enough to leave some precious
time for an actual family life – and even the chance to live free in the
country."
The South Central Michigan Greens local serves Calhoun, Hillsdale, and
Jackson Counties. This month's meeting will be 1-3pm on Saturday,
August 17 at the downtown Jackson Coffee Company (201 South Mechanic
Street, Jackson):
Next month's meeting will be 1-3pm Saturday, September 21 at Biggby's
Coffee, 1125 East Michigan Avenue, west off I-94's Exit 104 in Emmett
Township near Battle Creek:
Anyone in the area who is interested in discussing the Green Party's
values and platform is welcome to attend either meeting. For more
details and news about the SCMiG local, please visit its Facebook page:
* * * * * * *
WHO:
The public at large; sponsored by South Central Michigan Greens local.
WHAT:
Labor History Walk
WHEN:
Starting at 10 am on Saturday, September 7.
WHERE:
Starting at the intersection of Michigan Avenue, East Drive, and East
Mansion Street in Marshall -- across from the VFW Hall; through downtown
and to the current site of the J. C. "Yankee" Thompson House, 633 West
Hanover Street. (Weather/etc. permitting, there will be a picnic
afterward at Ketchum Park -- on the way back, near the VFW Hall.)
WHY:
To "make the connection" between labor and Labor Day -- and help clean
up the town -- during Home Tour Weekend.
* * * * * * *
# # #
The Four Pillars of GPMI:
Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice
Ecological Wisdom
Non-Violence
For our Ten Key Values, add:
Community-Based Economics
Decentralization
Feminism
Future Focus/Sustainability
Personal and Global Responsibility
Respect for Diversity
