Pictured: UFCW 21 members and our allies took action for racial justice in many ways in 2020.

This weekend, Jan 16-18th 2021, honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who lived and died struggling for racial equity and labor rights, as well as the current movement for Black lives which is built upon his shoulders. We at UFCW 21 are celebrating differently than we have in recent years. Over the past decade, we distributed tens of thousands of Dr. King-inspired buttons and marched in the streets led by a powerful movement of youth and elders, shining a light on the racial injustices that still exist in our communities.

This year, as UFCW 21 members in health care, grocery stores, drug stores, food processing, and other workplaces are on the front lines of the COVID 19 pandemic every day, we are encouraging everyone to honor Dr. King by taking care of ourselves and each other, and supporting our families and our communities. Dr. King showed us the way to the Beloved Community, a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of all humans.

Wherever you are on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 18, wear your union Black Lives Matter or other union solidarity button and remember you are part of a historical movement that recognizes the dignity of all workers and all work. Whomever you are and whatever you do, you deserve a voice on the job, to be safe and healthy, and to thrive.

Events you can attend online to celebrate the holiday

• Washington State Labor Council’s list of statewide MLK Day events

• The King Center’s 2021 Beloved Community Global Summit

• Events through Spokane’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center

Important reflections from Black labor leaders across our state over this last year:

• ‘We need you to fight for us to breathe’: Organized labor is a direct threat to white supremacy. We need to put that threat into action. | April Sims, Secretary-Treasurer of WA State Labor Council 

• ‘We are the ones we’ve been waiting on’ - Sending Love: A letter to Black workers, organizers, and labor leaders | Cherika Carter and Sybill Hyppolite, WA State Labor Council

• State of race: Outrage, pain and tentative hope | Wil Peterson, UFCW 21 executive board member