Everybody Out for Solidarity Rally Tomorrow!
The Dallas AFL-CIO has voted total support for the Black Dancers who were fired after unanimously voting to form a union.
All justice-seeking North Texans are asked to join the Dancers’ rally:
- 1 PM Saturday, August 17
- One Arts Plaza (in the shade)
- 1722 Routh, Dallas Fine Arts District
After management fired all of their professional dancers, they announced that they would interview scabs at their theater, 2700 Ann Williams Way, a short walk from the rally. We cannot let this go unnoticed.
As always, the Young Active Labor Leaders led our solidarity effort with considerable success. Six of the fired dancers and their union organizer attended the Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council on August 16. Arash Farasat copied down some of their comments:
Elijah: "We did it for the people who came before us and those who will come after us."
Sierra: "It is the artists that make the company."
Terrell: "We really do want the best for this organization."
Gillian: "It is devastating and disheartening, but I wouldn't change a thing."
Derick: "We want our working conditions to meet the standard that we have on stage."
Nile: "We just want respect for the efforts that we make on a daily basis. What management doesn't seem to realize is that people really care about us and our voices matter."
As of this writing, two important public officials are coming to speak at the rally: State Rep Johnny Bryant and Councilman Paul Ridley. Other leaders are sending their messages of support:
"I was saddened to read about the recent decision by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre to dismiss the entire dance company. The arts are not only vital to our community but essential to our shared humanity. As a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers), I firmly believe that all artists deserve fair treatment, respect, and the fundamental right to organize for better working conditions. I do hope that a resolution can be achieved quickly that preserves your ability to earn a living by sharing your artistic gifts on the stage." - Senator Nathan Johnson
“As a father of a Dallas Black Dance alum and as one who has always enjoyed the rich artistic talents and gift that the institution is to our community and city, I am profoundly disturbed by recent events that reflect a horrible injustice. The fine arts have always been a source of inspiration in the struggle for Black freedom and for liberation and justice for all. It is upsetting to think that an institution that has benefitted and participated in the struggle for freedom is now using tools of oppression on its own. As a faith leader committed to justice, I stand in solidarity with the fired dancers of Dallas Black Dance. I regret that I cannot be with you today, but I am with you in spirit and I will use what influence I have to fight for you to receive justice. To remix Dr King, Injustice to fired Dallas Black Dancers anywhere is a threat to Justice for workers everywhere!” --Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Sr. Pastor- Friendship-West Baptist Church
Newspersons Are Taking Notice
NBC 5 https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-black-dance-theatre-former-dancers-dispute/3622800/
KERA: https://youtu.be/nCS7VWuSN14?si=6QS__CqE3ojZoO7l
KNON: https://knon.org/workers-beat
Dance Magazine: https://www.dancemagazine.com/dallas-black-dance-theatre-agma/#gsc.tab=0
Dallas Voice: https://dallasvoice.com/stage-notes-the-dbdt-situation-in-a-nutshell-stolen-shakespeare-searches-for-new-home/
D magazine: https://www.dmagazine.com/micropost/dallas-black-dance-theatre-is-a-mess/
Dallas AFL-CIO: https://texasaflcio.org/dallas/news/everybody-out-solidarity-rally-tomorrow
Workers Stand Together
Solidarity with the fired Black Dancers was not the only important development at the August meeting of the Central Labor Council. We also voted for a resolution supporting mass transit, opposing all proposed cuts for our DART transportation system, and supporting Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1338 in their struggle for a new, improved, agreement. We studied at length the problems being faced by our city workers as they organize with the United Steelworkers of America Local 9487. We continued our solidarity with the Starbucks Workers United and celebrated their latest successful organizing effort in Arlington.
Our own efforts to bring all of labor and our allies together on Labor Day continue. Retiree organizer Judy Bryant announced that the Dallas Chapter of Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, which usually reserves only one table with ten chairs for the big breakfast, had just paid $350 for its third table! All unions and progressive organizations are asked to get their sponsorships, brochure ads, tables, and individual seats paid for in advance. Details are on our web site. If you don't have your $40 ticket or $350 organization table yet, send a check to Dallas AFL-CIO, 1408 N. Washington Ave. #240, Dallas, TX 75204 or pay online at https://square.link/u/Pfw3iALZ. For more details, contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
Please Join Our Solidarity Brigade
Click here to get updates whenever activists are needed. For text alerts, send the word "action" to the phone number 235246. For the best Texas labor news, write ed@texasaflcio.org. Paste Bit.ly/DallasCLC?r=qr into your browser and join our political program. Check your voting status or start applying for registration or vote-by-mail at http://vote.org.
MORE ACTIONS COMING UP
Aug 17, 1P: Rally for the fired Black Dancers at One Arts Plaza (in the shade), 1722 Routh St. Info: gbraun@musicalartists.org
Aug 31, 5P: President Lantz speaks on-line with the Chicago College of Complexes.
Sep 1, 10A: Gene Lantz speaks at Oak Cliff Unitarian Church on Kiest Road
Sep 2, 8:30A: Dallas Labor Day breakfast at Longhorn Ballroom. Contact jtomlinson.dallasaflcio@gmail.com