Rasheen Aldridge
Rasheen Aldridgeis a Missouri activist. He is the youngest member of the Ferguson Commission. He also serves as co-chair of Missouri Jobs with Justice.[1]
Activist beginnings
Rasheen Aldridge heard the call to activism following the 2008 election of Obama as president of the U.S. This motivated him, he said, to join Show Me 15, the local fast food workers campaign, while working at Jimmy John's sandwich shop and attending community college. His commitment to winning a living wage and union recognition for all fast food workers led him to quickly become a household name among activists and young workers.[2]
Bernie co-chair
Bernie 2020 co-chairs in Missouri were Rasheen Aldridge, Cori Bush, Megan Ellyia Green, Brandon Ellington, Jason Starr.
Union rally
Annie Rice Sept 4 20017 · St. Louis · ✊❤️ #LaborDay
— with Kristian Blackmon and Kevin FitzGerald, Rasheen Aldridge, Tracy Dischert Verner, Shelley Buffington Hoffman.
Ferguson
Aldridge doesn’t live in Ferguson. But he cares, and he’s doing something positive about it. He told me that he has been in Ferguson for almost all of the 80 days since the Michael Brown/Darren Wilson incident, attending peaceful demonstrations and trying to raise awareness of the injustices of the current police and courts system.
He’s president of a group called Young Activists United, which is trying to get African-American students engaged in the political process.[3]
Winters interview
Riley Winters: I've noticed that a lot of the young activists out in Ferguson have some close ties to the Fight for $15 movement and that you got your community organizing start with the Show Me $15 campaign. How does it make you feel now that the Fast Food movement has come out in full support of the fights in Ferguson, Ohio, and New York?
Rasheen Aldridge: [Smiling proudly] I'm very happy that the fast food workers across the country didn't just focus on their fight. At the end of the day all our fights are connected. You know here locally, they were the first ones in the labor movement to show support and solidarity with Ferguson. There is such a lack of good jobs in these communities that continue to bring people and families down. It's a bad system overall and I salute all the fast food workers who took a stand for 15 and a union and for Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Eric Garner. The labor movement needs to look at them (fast food workers) and not be scared of change. Instead they should learn from the workers and help to fix communities where only low-wage jobs are available.[4]
Ferguson commission
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon talks with Rasheen Aldridge, community organizer and Director of Young Activists United, before the swearing in of the Ferguson Commission in St. Louis on November 18, 2014.
- The Ferguson Commission will study the underlying issues raised by events in Ferguson, Missouri and issuing a report with specific policy recommendations. The sixteen men and women sworn in are made up of business owners, not-for-profit leaders, teachers, lawyers, police officers, activists, pastors and public servants. Aldridge, Jr., is a member of the Commission.
St. Louis prosecutors agreed to drop charges against a member of the Ferguson Commission and another protester if they complete a diversion program.
Rasheen Aldridge was among a group of activists who met with President Barack Obama at the White House in December. Aldridge was among demonstrators charged later with misdemeanor assault stemming from a protest at St. Louis City Hall over a grand jury’s decision to not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown’s death.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that prosecutors and Jerryl Christmas, lawyer for Aldridge and Zachary Chasnoff, said charges would be dropped and could be refiled if either man is arrested in the next six months.
The two have to complete a diversion program.[5]
Communist Party convention
At the June 2014 Communist Party USA 30th convention Chicago - Friday evening, the People's World hosted a panel discussion on organizing low wage workers that included Howard Kling, Secretary of the International Labor Communications Association AFL-CIO, Change to Win, Rasheen Aldridge, St. Louis Can't Survive of $7.35 strike leader, Young Activists United, Naquasia LeGrand (Fast Food Forward Colbert Show guest), Elce Redmond and Ada Fuentes of Jobs with Justice, Terrie Albano, co-editor of People's World, and Judith LeBlanc, field director of Peace Action.[6]
Politics
Rasheen Aldridge, 22, already had several years under his belt as a community organizer before Michael Brown Jr. was killed by Ferguson police on August 9, 2014.
Like several other social-justice fighters on the streets of Ferguson, the movement changed the way Aldridge approaches community organizing.
“Being in Ferguson felt like being alone,” said Aldridge, an organizer with Show Me $15. “There weren’t people in [Ferguson government] seats that understood why we were out here. It made me think about my neighborhood, not having individuals who represent the larger community.”
In 2014, Aldridge was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to serve on the Ferguson Commission, where he had an opportunity to influence statewide policy reform. Now in 2016 he is running for 5th Ward Democratic committeeman in St. Louis in the August 2 primary election.
His opponent is incumbent Rodney Hubbard, Sr., part of an entrenched African-American political family in North St. Louis. Aldridge's running mate, Megan Betts, also a Ferguson activist, is challenging incumbent committeewoman Penny Hubbard, Rodney’s wife.
Aldridge, who grew up in the 5th Ward, said the Hubbards “look like us, but they aren’t doing for the people what they’re doing for their family.”
Aldridge has been campaigning alongside state-representative hopeful Bruce Franks, Jr., who is also challenging Penny Hubbard as the incumbent state representative of House District 78. Franks, also a Ferguson activist, said the movement made him realize how much local elected officials played a role in the policies that led to Ferguson.
“Being from the neighborhood I’m from, nobody concentrated on telling us the importance of elections and empowering people to vote,” said Franks, who grew up in the 78th District and owns an insurance business. “I started to see we need some changes over here.”[7]
2016 JwJ national conference
Lara Granich February 11, 2016 ·
Missouri is ready to roll at the Jobs With Justice 2016 National Conference tomorrow. 750 of the best organizers in the country? Folks in this pic are just a portion of our share #jwj16 — with Kristian Blackmon, Sarita Gupta, Audrey Hollis, Rasheen Aldridge, Ashli Bolden, Caitlyn Adams and Julie Terbrock.
Working Class Media & Democracy' forum, 2013
The MO/KS People’s World (www.peoplesworld.org) hosted the 10th Annual ‘Working Class Media & Democracy’ forum on Saturday, December 7th, 2013.
This year’s Media Forum will be a panel discussion featuring:
- Tim Rowden, St. Louis Labor Tribune reporter and associate editor
- Pamela Merrit, Progress Missouri communications director, blogger at Angry Black Bitch, and former Statewide E-Organizer for Planned Parenthood Affiliate of Missouri
- Rasheen Aldridge, STL Can’t Survive on $7.35 activist and organizer
- John Wojcik, People’s World labor editor and International Labor Communications Association vice president[8]
2015 Hershel Walker Peace and Justice Awards
On Saturday, May 2, 2015, the Missouri/Kansas Friends of the People's World hosted the 23rd Annual Hershel Walker 'Peace and Justice' Awards breakfast to recognize outstanding leaders and activists, and their work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
A diverse crowd of 120 union, community, peace and faith leaders joined together at 9:30 a.m., at the Communication Workers of America, Local 6300, union hall for a morning filled with conversations and solidarity.
"This is an awards ceremony for activists," said Nicholas James, a Service Employees International Union collective bargaining rep. "This is amazing. Usually, only famous people get awards. That we take the time to recognize the everyday, ordinary people struggling to change our world is what makes this Awards Breakfast so special."
on ceremony.
As this year's breakfast came to a close, Rasheen Aldridge, director of Young Activists United-St. Louis and the youngest member of the Ferguson Commission, delivered the closing remarks.
He thankedd everyone for attending and said, "In order to win we must become stronger. We have to support each other. We have to build a powerful labor-community based movement for change.".[9]
St. Louis Workers’ Education Society
The St. Louis Workers’ Education Society (StLWES) opened its doors at 2929 S. Jefferson March 27. 2015, and welcomed organizers, rabble-rousers, activists and community organizations to its first annual open house fundraiser.
Supporters conversed on building the labor movement, revitalizing the community, increasing voter turnout, promoting growth of progressive small businesses and fighting for ‘”$15 and a Union” for low-wage workers
“This isn’t just a building,” said Rasheen Aldridge, the youngest member of the Ferguson Commission and director of Young Activists United-STL. “This is a movement!” Aldridge also serves on the StLWES Advisory Board.[10]
St. Louis Workers’ Education Society Executive Board
In 2017, the St. Louis Workers’ Education Society Executive Board;
- Rebecca Bolte, Treasurer, Cherokee St. Business Association
- Nicholas James, WES Organizer; SEIU HC; Executive Board, 9th Ward
- Niles Zee, WES Communications Dir.
- Al Neal, WES Dir. of Advocacy and Education
- Shuron Jones, WES Votes Coodinator; Secretary, 15th Ward
- Steve Wayland, Dir. of Business Development, Painters DC 58
- Rasheen Aldridge, Committeman, 5th Ward
Solidarity Against Racism
Solidarity Against Racism, October 4, 2015;
Her name was #MiriamCarey . She drove to D.C. from Connecticut with her baby daughter.
A U-turn at a checkpoint led to her being killed by the Secret Service and the U.S. Capitol Police on Oct. 3, 2013 #Justice4MiriamCarey #BlackLivesMatter #ColoredLivesMatter #StopPOliceBrutality — with Rasheen Aldridge, Alicia Garza, Linda Beth Camberdella, Osagyefo Sekou, Harold Jamison, La Mesha Irizarry, Bassem Masri, Cat Brooks, Cephus Johnson, Justice for Miriam Carey and Valarie Carey.
St. Louis Workers’ Education Society Advisory Board
In 2015 the St. Louis Workers’ Education Society Advisory Board consisted of;
- Mark Esters, president St. Louis chapter Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)
- Holly Roe, Missouri State Workers’ Union-CWA (Communication Workers’ Union of America) Local 6355
- Steve Wayland, Painters’ District Council 58, Advanced Skills Workforce Center (ASWC)
- Nicholas James, Service Employees’ International Union-Health Care
- Ashli Bolden, Missouri Jobs with Justice, Missouri Health Care For All
- Chris Worth, Paraquad, Coalition For Truth In Independence
- Leticia Seitz, executive director, Latinos En Axion STL
- Rasheen Aldridge, youngest member of the Ferguson Commission
- Rebecca Bolte, small business owner, ButtonMakers.net
- Al Neal, mid-south organizing director, Fight for $15
- Rev. Mary Albert, Epiphany United Church of Christ
- Rev. John Stratton, Trinity Episcopal Church
- Elyse Vesser, Young Activists United-St. Louis
- James Raines, labor editor, People’s World
- Chris Grant, attorney at Schuchat, Cook & Werner[11]
Supporting Megan-Ellyia Green
Adam Kustra December 2 near St. Louis, MO ·
- Walked in just in time for the fantastic intro from Rasheen Lamont Aldridge. Time to get to work and get Megan-Ellyia Green re-elected!
Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing
Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing, was a nationwide conference call organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Sunday October 30, 2016.
- What's the nature of this right-wing threat? What has this election cycle changed about the political terrain we're fighting on? How do we need to prepare for whats coming after the election? Hear about these crucial questions from our panel of top political strategists, including Nelini Stamp, Bill Fletcher, Jr., Linda Burnham, and Sendolo Diaminah.
Those invited, on Facebook included Rasheen Aldridge.[12]
Missouri comrades
Rasheen Aldridge June 8 2019·
With Megan Ellyia Green, Jamilah Nasheed, Annie Rice, Donald Moore and Tracy Dischert Verner.
References
- ↑ PW, Rebel with a cause – a young Ferguson commissionerby: RILEY WINTERSjanuary 16 2015
- ↑ PW, Rebel with a cause – a young Ferguson commissionerby: RILEY WINTERSjanuary 16 2015
- ↑ [http://www.occasionalplanet.org/2014/11/04/a-young-activist-just-made-my-election-day/Occasional Planet, A young activist just made my Election Day Gloria Shur Bilchik / November 4, 2014]
- ↑ PW, Rebel with a cause – a young Ferguson commissionerby: RILEY WINTERSjanuary 16 2015
- ↑ [http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/06/11/charges-to-be-dropped-against-ferguson-commission/CBS St. Louis Charges To Be Dropped Against Commission Member Associated Press June 11, 2015]
- ↑ PW Opening of the Communist Party’s 30th national convention by: Special to PeoplesWorld.org June 13 2014
- ↑ St Louis American, Ferguson led young progressives to run in August 2 primary By Rebecca Rivas Jul 28, 2016
- ↑ PEace Economy Project, 10th Annual ‘Working Class Media & Democracy’ forum Posted on December 7, 2013 by peace
- ↑ PW. People's World hosts “ceremony for activists” in Missouri. by: Riley Winters May 4 2015
- ↑ Tribune, Workers’ Education Society hosts open house for organizers, activists April 20, 2015 by admin in Labor News From Our Region by Riley Winters
- ↑ Workers Education Society, Officers
- ↑ FB Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing Went 109