The Racial Justice Committee of Philly DSA is hosting bi-monthly meetings related to ongoing coordination of a mural making campaign seeking to uplift the legacy of Ben Fletcher to commemorate the history of interracial labor organizing in the city of Philadelphia. Ben Fletcher was an African-American leader of Local 8, part of the Marine Transport Worker Industrial Union, the most powerful interracial and multiethnic union of the World War I era that organized relentlessly against racism, exclusion, and xenophobia. He was a crucial part of Philadelphia history, yet he remains relatively unknown. This campaign is building upon the shared knowledge, contributions, and endorsements of:
-Living heirs of Ben Fletcher-Philly DSA Steering Committee, Racial Justice Committee, and Labor Branch-Mural Arts Philadelphia-Philly IWW-Philly Socialists-Workers World Party - Philadelphia Chapter -Dr. Peter Cole, Professor of History at Western Illinois University-Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations at the University of Pennsylvania-Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University-Dr. Jasmine Noelle Yarish - Professor of Political Science at the University of District of Columbia-Councilmember Mark Squilla-Councilmember-At-Large Helen Gym-Members of the International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1291-Independence Seaport Museum
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