On Feb. 27, the UFCW International culminated its month-long celebration of Black History Month with its annual program which centered around the theme “Empowering Black Labor and Celebrating Black Excellence.”
UFCW International President Marc Perrone and Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department LaQuita Honeysucker opened the program, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was the guest speaker. UFCW Executive Vice President and National President of UFCW Canada Shawn Haggerty also attended the event.
Representative Jeffries spoke about the current political climate as it related to Black History Month.
“We have folks across the country who are trying to erase Black history. Black history is American history and we will never let them erase it. Yes, we are in a moment of struggle to bring about progress.”
He compared the political climate to the civil rights movement, including the Mongomery Bus Boycott of 1955 in Alabama that put Martin Luther King Jr. in the spotlight as a civil rights leader after the arrest of Rosa Parks. He noted that although the participants in the boycott were arrested and met with violence, they pressed on.
“At this moment of challenges, we have to press on for our children, families, seniors, and working class Americans. We have to press on for those who are left behind…for racial and social justice….We have to press on for workers’ rights…press on for democracy. Press on until victory is won. Press on!”
The program also showcased the talents of UFCW International staff and paid homage to UFCW Black trailblazers who served and currently serve as department directors, regional directors, and executive officers.
