Teamsters 117 joined thousands of community members for the annual MLK Jr. Day March and Rally in Seattle on Monday.

It was a daylong celebration honoring the slain civil rights leader, with workshops in the morning, an 11 A.M. rally, and a noonday march from Garfield High School in Seattle’s Central District to Westlake Park downtown.

The need to address growing income inequality and the effort to raise the minimum wage were central themes of the day. 

Hundreds of marchers filled the streets, carrying $15 Now! signs, and chanting, “What do we want? $15! When do we want it? Now!” 

King’s historic quest for Civil Rights is well known in this country, but fewer people are aware of his commitment to fighting poverty:

“We are coming to demand that the government address itself to the problem of poverty. We read one day, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." But if a man doesn’t have a job or an income, he has neither life nor liberty nor the possibility for the pursuit of happiness. He merely exists."
- From Remaining Awake through the Great Revolution (King’s last sermon)

Teamsters 117’s participation in the event was coordinated by the Black Teamsters United, a caucus of Union members dedicated to providing Teamsters an opportunity to be inclusive in an environment that will enrich, embrace, and respect the diversity of its members.

If you are interested in learning more about BTU, please contact Vice President of your Union’s Executive Board and BTU Secretary-Treasurer, Cetris Tucker, at 206-441-4860.