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To kick off their campaign, the San Mateo Elementary Teachers Association held an ice cream social. Talking politics are Sherry Kallman and Jim Remington. |
The Alliance for a Better California kicked off its state-wide field campaign on Sept. 10, with simultaneous voter precinct walks throughout major cities. Thousands of volunteers gave up their Saturday to go door to door in targeted neighborhoods, distributing fliers and urging residents to vote no on Propositions 74, 75 and 76.
Speaking before a crowd of a few hundred at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers headquarters in West Los Angeles, one of several Los Angeles area gatherings, California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez praised the contributions of workers and chastised the governor for accusing unions of running Sacramento and blaming them for the state's woes.
It's not unions who are harming this state, said Nunez. "If the unions were really running things, we'd have a health care system that works for everyone. If the unions were really running things, we'd have a living wage for working Californians. If the unions were really running things, we'd have enough books and supplies for all California schools."
Olympic High School teacher Anthony Fuller, a member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association, spoke to the crowd following Nunez. I'm honored to be able to share this day with you, standing side by side with nurses, firefighters and the working people of this state," he said, going on to stress the importance of voter turnout.
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Shahfiya Razak with SMETA President Carole Delgado. |
Fuller criticized the governor's attacks on labor and his attempt to wrest more power for himself. "We don't elect a dictator or a king," said Fuller. "The governor must be accountable and subject to the checks and balances we have in place."
Fuller went on to tell the crowd why the governor's initiatives are bad for schools, students, and working Californians.
Among the walkers were alliance members: teachers, firefighters, nurses, as well as many members of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Attorneys and actors also participated. Mimi Kennedy, a performer best known for her roles in the film Erin Brockovich and on television's "Dharma and Greg," is married to a teacher. "In spite of other commitments today, I'm going to walk as long as I can," she said. "This is too important, and we have to get the word out."
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CTA Secretary-Treasurer Dean E. Vogel with Cheryl Remedios.
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Kennedy, who identifies herself as an activist, was joined by two other walkers covering a modest neighborhood in the small city of Lawndale. They were met largely with agreement as they urged local voters to oppose the governor.
The alliance is continuing with precinct walks on most Saturdays until the election. Phone banks are already up and running in many CTA offices, as well as in the offices of labor affiliates throughout the state. "The key to defeating the governor will be to get out the vote," said Fuller after the walk. "I'm tired of a governor who calls us a special interest."
Quoting what has become a tag line for CTA members in this election, he added, "My special interest is my students."
To find out how you can assist with voter contact between now and Nov. 8, contact your local CTA chapter.
