One Nation Working Together March Aims to Energize Progressive Voters for November Election

Interview with Denise Gray-Felder, communication director with the One Nation Working Together March, conducted by Scott Harris

The response of people to the worldwide economic crisis varies from nation to nation. Here in the U.S., the most angry and vocal activists have been right- wing groups, such as the Tea Party movement, which have called for dramatic cutbacks in government programs and dismantling the nation's frayed social safety net. They first gained attention last summer during protests against President Obama's modest health care reform proposal, later fueled by corporate donors and extensive coverage in the U.S. media. Tea Party candidates have since been victorious in key Republican party primary battles to run for U.S. Senate seats.

In contrast to America's anger on the right, seen most recently at conservative talk show host Glenn Beck's well attended Aug. 28 rally at the Lincoln memorial, workers in Europe are mobilizing under a progressive banner. In France, more than a million striking workers marched in Paris in opposition to President Sarkozy's pension reform bill, which will increase the minimum retirement age to 62. Labor and progressive activists have organized a growing wave of coordinated strikes and protests in capitals across the continent opposing government austerity measures, with the slogan, "No to austerity priority for jobs and growth."

But a large coalition of U.S. progressive groups are now looking to make some noise of their own about the economic crisis and high unemployment -- challenging the rhetoric of tea party activists. On Oct. 2, labor unions and civil rights groups will lead a march and rally in the nation's capital called, One Nation Working Together, with the platform, "One Nation Working Together For Jobs, Justice and Education for all." Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Denise Gray-Felder, communications director with One Nation Working Together March, who discusses the message of the protest action and how it relates to this November's important mid-term congressional election.

Contact the Nation Working Together March organizers at (202) 263-4568 or visit their website at www.onenationworkingtogether.org.

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