CWA Local 3905 Human Rights

CWA “OUR” Power Radio Show – February 5, 2026

In honor of Black History Month, Errol opens the show by centering the conversation on justice, resilience, and community power, while spotlighting activist DeRay Mckesson for his leadership in civil rights and social advocacy. Tay Akins kicks off Tea With Tay with “The Driveway,” a segment exploring personal and collective accountability in the fight for equity. David Marshall delivers the Marshall Minute, offering insight on strategy, solidarity, and the moral imperatives facing workers today.

All hosts then engage in Sharing Power Without Panic, a dynamic discussion on collaboration, communication, and equitable decision-making, followed by a conversation on Bridging Generational Perspectives in Unions and Organizations, exploring how experience, innovation, and mentorship intersect to strengthen movements. Mikeya Jones raises awareness on key social and health issues affecting workers and communities, and Timmia Wiley closes the show with Union Buster of the Week, calling out NIKE for practices that undermine worker power and accountability.

https://live365.com/embeds/v1/player/a55159?s=sm&m=dark&c=mp3&popout=true

This Black History Month, we honor the countless Black leaders, activists, and workers who have shaped the labor movement and fought for justice.

Black history is American history. From the struggles of Native Hawaiian Black freedom fighters to the African American garment workers in New York state, Black History Month is a time to learn about our unique collective history and honor the hard-won progress.

We’re starting this year’s Black History Month series with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

In 1937, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became the first Black-led union to win a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation.

Led by A. Philip Randolph, their win helped pave the way for collective bargaining rights workers rely on today.

From our union family to yours!!

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued Proclamation 95, more widely known as the Emancipation Proclamation. Through this long overdue Executive Order, more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans were declared legally free.

This moment should have marked the end of arguably one of the darkest chapters in American history: the institution of slavery; however, the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately result in freedom for all enslaved individuals.

Despite the Confederacy's overwhelming defeat in April 1865, the State of Texas refused to adhere to the law, ignoring the order until the next harvest to further exploit the free labor of the state’s newly freed slaves.

In response to this overt lawlessness, Union troops, mostly made up of African American soldiers, arrived on Galveston Island to take charge and assure that all enslaved people were set free. This led to General Order No. 3, issued by Union General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, officially declaring that all enslaved people in Texas were free.

This historic day became known as Juneteenth, a contraction of “June” and “nineteenth.” It has since become a powerful symbol of Black liberation, resilience, perseverance and the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights in the United States.

For decades, activist and educator Opal Lee, often referred to as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” worked tirelessly to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. Her lifelong fight became law on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday, recognizing it as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone; it is a call to action. As a nation, we must acknowledge the continued existence of systemic racism, environmental injustice, and the pressing need for immigration reform. Remembering the stories and sacrifices of those who came before us is vital to building a more just and equitable future.

In observance of this important day, the National Human Rights Department proudly stands in solidarity with Opal’s Walk for Freedom by organizing the CWA Human Rights Opal’s Walk for Freedom Virtual Team. Participants from across the country have pledged to walk 2.5 miles, symbolizing the 2.5 years that freedom was unjustly withheld from enslaved African Americans in Texas after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

This Saturday, June 14, tens of thousands of people will be gathering at hundreds of events across the country to stand up against the corporations that have taken over our government and the elected officials who are attacking our freedoms.
No Kings is a day for Americans to come together to show that true power in our country comes from the people, not from a single man in the White House.
As CWA members and retirees, we fight every day against CEOs who want to be kings of their companies, dictating our wages and working conditions and punishing those who advocate for themselves and their families. Our union contracts and our solidarity stand in their way.
Donald Trump wants to run our country like a king. He’s handing out favors to the wealthy CEOs who helped bring him to power. He is dismantling the independent agencies that hold employers accountable when they violate our rights. He is pushing a big, bad, budget bill that shifts billions of dollars away from programs that help working people into the pockets of those who are already very rich. And, just this past weekend, his ICE agents attacked, injured, and unjustly detained union leader David Huerta while he was protecting the rights of immigrant workers.
On June 14, we are joining together to say No Kings!
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/790513/ Huntsville - Not Our King, Not Our Circus · No Kings

SIGN THE PETITION: Pass Eric's ID Law
Following the death of George Floyd, Linda Carpenter-Grantham, the mother of Eric Carpenter-Grantham, became increasingly concerned for her son's safety when encountering the police or other law enforcement. Eric has high functioning autism which is a non-apparent disability. This led Eric to create four symbols that can be placed on ID cards to inform law enforcement and first responders that an individual with a non-apparent disability is in their presence and they may require additional assistance.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed House Bill HB 707 and Senate Bill SB 0618

("Eric's ID Law") on May 13, 2025, becoming Chapters 440 and 448. These laws mandate the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to allow:
Voluntary notation of nonapparent disabilities on licenses, IDs, and moped permits. The MVA will consult disability groups on the notation's design and conduct public outreach. Individuals can request removal of the notation at 18 or any time, and the MVA is prohibited from requiring proof, denying applications based on disability mismatches, or disclosing this information without a court order (with specific exceptions). The bills intend to improve communication for individuals with nonapparent disabilities, emphasizing voluntary participation and privacy protection.

Communication Workers of America (CWA) seeks support for this petition to expand "Eric's ID Law" to other states to enhance safety, awareness, training, and resources.

SIGN THE PETITION: Pass Eric's ID Law Following the death of George Floyd, Linda Carpenter-Grantham, the mother of Eric Carpenter-Grantham, became increasingly concerned for her son's safety when encountering the police or other law enforcement. Eric has high functioning autism which is a non-apparent disability. This led Eric to create...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to uplift, support, and advocate for those living with mental health conditions. At the Communication Workers of America we believe in dignity, compassion, and justice for all, including those navigating mental illness. Mental illness is not a crime, and it should never be treated as one.

Far too often, individuals facing mental health crises are met with fear, misunderstanding, and excessive force—especially at the hands of law enforcement. These tragic outcomes are not just heartbreaking; they are preventable. It is time for systemic change.

CWA Local 3905 stands firmly against the criminalization of mental illness. We call for comprehensive training for police officers to recognize signs of mental health issues and to respond with care and sensitivity, not violence. Our communities deserve first responders who are equipped to de-escalate, connect individuals to resources, and prioritize life over punishment.

As union members and advocates for justice, we recommit ourselves to pushing for policies that protect mental health and promote public safety through compassion—not criminalization. Together, we will continue to fight for a society that supports healing, not harm.

Let’s break the stigma. Let’s choose care. Let’s stand in solidarity.

📽️ CWA HUMAN RIGHTS MOVIE NIGHT 📽️

Join us for a powerful night of justice, organizing, and storytelling.

🎬 Film: Storming Caesars Palace
📅 Date: April 30th, 2025
🕕 Time: 6 PM CST | 7 PM EST
💻 Where: REGISTER HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BRkw-_NeSniFOL7ftuD_yw

🌟 Special Guest: Hazel Gurland-Pooler, Director of Storming Caesars Palace, will join us after the film for a LIVE Q&A!

This award-winning documentary tells the story of a fearless group of Black women in Las Vegas who fought for universal basic income, dignity, and economic justice — and won.

Let’s honor their legacy and continue their fight. 💪🏽✊🏿✊🏾

📢 Hosted by CWA Human Rights