Two Unitarian Universalist Congregations turned out to the Rally. First UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches is on the left. UUFBR is on the right.
With over a hundred more in attendance this year at the Rally than attended last year’s Rally, we are looking good for the Nehemiah Action Turnout this year on Monday, March 31st at 7pm at the PBC Convention Center. Sign up for the bus in Osias this Sunday, and encourage everyone on your list, and everyone else, to do the same.
Virginia Donnal, the Associate PEACE Organizer, will be in our pulpit this Sunday, March 16th to give us all the latest information regarding the issue cuts this year, and letting us know which public officials have committed to attend.
UUFBR Justice Team Leader Jim Jiovanazzo reports UUFBR’s turnout goal of 60 to Rev. Lionel Camel from Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist.Here is the information on the issues that was distributed in the Agenda packet
Here is the information about the issues that was distributed in the Agenda Packet at the Rally:
Wage Theft
At the end of 2012, PEACE won a Wage Theft Reaolution that included funding for Legal Aid to take on these cases and a special docket day to hear these cases, thus creating an efficient and free way for victims to recover owed wages. In 2013, over 160 victims were served and $200,000 in owed wages were recovered- significant numbers for both victims and for letting unscrupulous businesses know that they can no longer get way with Wage Theft. Currently, PEACE is working to expand the Wage Theft Program in Palm Beach- more information/intake sessions, continued funding for the program, increased advertising, etc… PEACE is also working with stat-wide allies to defeat another proposed preemption bill that would prevent counties from adopting successful Wage Theft Ordinances or Resolutions like those in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward.
Education: Out of School Suspensions
Last year, Superintendent Gent committed to PEACE to seriously address the problem of Out-of-School Suspension. PEACVE demanded action on this issue because we were hearing story after story of children being denied a fair opportunity at education due to disproportionate punishments for minor misbehaviors. As a result of last year’s Action, the District has begun to seriously address this problem. Overall, out-of-school suspension rates have decreased by 40%. The district has focused on certain schools, and in most cases had made progress to ensure that the schools will not suspend more that 10% of the student body – a goal committed to at the Nehemiah Action. However, some schools are not on track to meet this goal: notably Forest Hill and Glades Central. The district is developing an action plan for these schools, that includes hiring special personnel to more successfully address this problem. The Superintendent will be attending the Action to give an update and to recommit to reducing out-of-school suspension.
Jobs and Unemployment in the Glades: First Source Ordinance
There remains a serious problem with unemployment in the Glades.Estimates have the rate of Glades unemployment at somewhere around 40%! Despite this high rate of unemployment, jobs have been coming the way of the Glades for the last several years, and are slated to continue over the next several years, in the way of public works projects (libraries being built, firehouses being renovated/built, the jail being expanded, etc…). Herein lies the true injustice! VERY FEW of the jobs on the public works projects have gone to local residents of the Glades, despite the serious problem with unemployment gripping the community. In fact – for the recently completed Belle Glade library construction project, not a single resident was hired!
At last year’s Nehemiah Action, we asked representatives of the 3 Glades cities, as well as our County Commissioners, to pass a First Source Ordinance for the Glades. Such an Ordinance would require that businesses receiving city or county contracts make their jobs available only to residents of the Glades. A network of community partners would be in place to send the businesses pre-screened quality applicants. The businesses must make a good faith effort to hire at least 50% of their workforce through this referral process.
Criminal Justice
The criminalization of certain populations of people in our country, state, and local community is getting worse. One population currently being criminalized is that of undocumented immigrants. Here in Palm Beach County, far too many undocumented immigrants (nearly 33,000 per year) are being taken to court, and sometimes jail, for the offense of driving without a license. While it is illegal for undocumented immigrants to obtain a license, and therefore drive, most have no other choice if they are to provide for their families. Going to jail is a punishment that is completely disproportionate to the offense of simply wanting to be a good provider. And, to make matters worse, in jail they run the risk of being detained/deported by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). At this year’s Nehemiah Action, we plan on asking Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to significantly reduce these arrests and detainers/deportations for low level offenses such as driving without a license.
Father Paul Rasmus, Priest at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Lake Worth, and Co-President of PEACE, prepares to speak about Out of School Suspensions.
Rev. Kevin Jones, Youth Minister at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, speaks about owning our own power by participating in the congregational drive.
There was a real can-do spirit among the 600+ in attendance, as we committed to turing out 2,000+ to the Nehemiah Action.