The California State University, Dominguez Hills Labor Studies Program and Labor Studies Club presents the Fifth Annual Labor, Social and Environmental Justice Fair on Thursday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the East Walkway of the Loker Student Union. The fair – with the theme, “Plant the Seeds of Change”– is free and open to the public.
“Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in labor, social justice and/or environmental work, or simply wants to learn about current issues is invited to attend the fair,” said Vivian Price, Ph.D., Labor Studies Program coordinator and advisor for the fair. The daylong fair is designed to connect students and members of the community with local unions and organizations that are doing social justice work.
Among the featured speakers is Dave Campbell, Secretary Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 675. Campbell will speak on Worker Cooperatives and the need to create our own jobs and economy, the cutting edge and nexus of immigrant rights and union organizing. Jimi Castillo will speak about his vision of social justice. Jimi is the Pipe Carrier for the Tongva and the Acjachemen, a Sundancer, and a member of the Bear Society.
Performers at the fair include the socially conscious rap group Shining Sons, a local blues band, the Salt Shakers, the always popular Aztec dancers, as well as a number of others. David Arian, the former International President of the International Longshore Association, and director of the Harry Bridges Institute, will say a few words about labor and community relations. Representatives of the groups attending the fair will have an open mic to tell us about their work and their perspectives. Films will screen in Loker Student Union. An orchid display will take up residency near the bookstore. Next to the orchids, posters made by students in Professor Verba’s Latin American History class will be perched on easels. The famous submersible underwater sea vehicle will be stationed near the stage on the East Walkway. Student organizing and Coalition Building are two of the afternoon workshops.
A variety of community groups and labor organizations will host informational booths and workshops throughout the day as part of the fair’s programming. In addition, the fair will host a special program for local high school students in the Loker Student Union. Miguel Gutierrez, professor of Chicana/o Studies, is directing students in Theater of the Oppressed Forum Theater to spark an interactive discussion of contemporary issues. Visitors, including students from many of the Los Angeles Community Colleges, are expected to converge on our campus to meet and discuss educational justice issues. Stencil artists, upcycling art workshops, silkscreening, music, dance and theater will round out the programming for this year.
In 2012, more than 50 local unions and community groups attended the fair, including the Service Employees International Union, California Faculty Association, the California School Employee’s Association, Teamsters, Clergy & Laity, Black Workers’ Center, Espiritu de Nuestro Futuro, Housing Rights Center, United Steelworkers, and Pride at Work.
The fair will continue its tradition of introducing new students to the university and to the Labor Studies program. The Labor Studies program has been a part of CSU Dominguez Hills since 1977 and is the only such bachelor’s degree program at a state-supported university in Southern California.
On-campus parking is available. Daily visitor permits are $4 and can be purchased using cash, credit or debit cards at kiosk machines located in each lot. CSU Dominguez Hills is located at 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747.
To see our updated schedule, and learn more about the Labor Studies Program, visit: dhlaborstudies.org.
This release was prepared by students in the Labor Studies Club
