------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the March 29, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- WALK, KIM, WALK: ACTIVISTS CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON WELFARE CUTOFFS By Berta Joubert-Ceci 'Walk, Kim, walk!" And so she did, in her trademark orange suit and cap, under a rainy and cold Philadelphia sky, heading toward the State Office Building for an afternoon rally. Kim Denmark, the Ohio activist who's been on the road for welfare rights since 1999, spoke vehemently in support of the new dimension she has added to the welfare campaign: a moratorium on time limits and sanctions. In a leaflet appeal she has been handing out, Denmark wrote, "I am calling on President Bush, the U.S. Congress and all the governors and states legislatures across the country to declare a moratorium on the expiration of time limits for the millions of people who depend upon public assistance for their subsistence. Furthermore, I call on all those in power to declare a moratorium on using sanctions to push people off of public assistance. "In the midst of all the gloating about how successful welfare reform has been, I believe that the true magnitude of homelessness and hunger caused by the strict sanctions policies, time limits and other punitive measures mandated by the 1996 law has yet to be measured." She continued: "In thinking about this problem it's important to bear in mind that the five years since President Clinton signed the welfare reform have been years of economic prosperity in this country. It appears that the prosperity is coming to an end as the stock market heads south, and the announcement of layoffs continues to mount. "We must ask ourselves, when dark clouds are gathering over the economy, is this a time to be racing to see how many people we can push into utter destitution? Indeed, is this not a time when the so-called safety net is likely to be needed the most? Should we even be considering granting a trillion-dollar-plus tax break that will disproportionately benefit the wealthy at such a time? It's time for the government to stop beating up on the poorest in society." This was also the topic she raised in an impromptu interview with the city's main daily newspaper, the Philadelphia Inquirer. Since the paper--located one block from the rally site--did not send a reporter, the demonstrators marched to its offices to demand an interview. After a few minutes of negotiations involving supporter State Senator Shirley Kitchen, Denmark met with reporters from the Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News and associate editors of both newspapers. Accompanying Denmark to this meeting were Kitchen, Pam Africa--a leader of International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal--and this reporter. After the interview the activists went to the hall of Service Employees Local 668 where the local's president, Ray Martínez, welcomed Denmark. A spirited speak-out ensued at the dinner/reception held there. Martínez spoke of the role of his union in the progressive struggle, including its support for ousting the U.S. Navy from the Puerto Rican island of Vieques and freedom for Abu- Jamal. Africa gave a thorough update of Abu-Jamal's case. Workfairness activist William Mason spoke of the struggle in his home state, New York. The groups One Day At A Time, Mothers on the Move, International Action Center and Peoples Video Network, along with progressive individuals, signed the call for a moratorium on welfare cutoffs. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
