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Public Employee Press
African
American Day Parade
Power in unity
DC 37 showed Power through
unity as hundreds of members marched and cheered at the huge African
American Day Parade in Harlem, Sept. 21. The annual parade has a 34-year
tradition of color and creativity with marching bands, dancers, politicians,
unions, fraternities and frolickers of all ages joining in the fun.
African Americans have experienced
a tremendous struggle from the time we first reached these shores,
said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. As trade unionists
we know firsthand that unity and struggle can change bad situations to
good. Today we celebrate our survival, our indelible culture and our vast
contributions to this nation.
As a Grand Marshall of this years parade, Ms. Roberts was at the
helm of the two-mile long block party saluting the culture and rhythms
of the African Diaspora.
The
DC 37 Big Apple float breezed up Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard to the
lilting pulse of the EZ Bizness Steel Band as members and leaders of numerous
locals and the DC 37 Retirees Association celebrated with soul. The brilliant
end-of-summer sun reflected in onlookers faces as they packed both
sides of the broad thoroughfare to glimpse the exciting and energetic
marchers.
This years participation was greater than ever, said
Cynthia Chin-Marshall, co-chair of the DC 37 Black History Committee,
which coordinated the unions involvement in the event.
Diane S.
Williams
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