Friday, July 6, 2012

National Human Rights Campaign Backs Peters for Congress

 

San Diego –The Scott Peters for Congress campaign proudly announces today that the national Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has endorsed Peters in the race for the 52nd Congressional District against long-time House member Brian Bilbray.

 “Scott Peters has spent his career fighting for equality,” said HRC Vice President of Programs David Smith.  “Scott is a proven leader and will be an amazing advocate for all families in the Halls of Congress.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest organization in America dedicated to fighting for equality for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered.

“Scott Peters has been a vocal ally of the LGBT community, including leading the San Diego City Council in its support of marriage equality,” said Joel Trambley, co-chair, Human Rights Campaign San Diego.

“HRC’s local leaders are excited to help him defeat an incumbent who has a proven anti-LGBT record with a string of zero percent ratings on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard for six years. Scott Peters' victory will not only mean another Congressional ally but also will be a critical part of returning a fair-minded majority to the House of Representatives," said Trambley.

Founded in 1980, the HRC’s mission is to advocate for the LGBT community—working to end discrimination, elect fair-minded representatives, and fight for equal rights in the workplace.

Their endorsement is the latest impressive endorsement Peters has secured in this race, including the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which recently selected Peters’ campaign for the highly competitive ‘Red-to-Blue’ program.

For more information about Scott, go to www.scottpeters.com.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Community Condemns Attempted Repeal of Living Wage Ordinance

 

Thursday, July 5
10:00 a.m.
Outside the San Diego Convention Center (South End)
One Park Boulevard at Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

After hoteliers orchestrate takeover at the San Diego Convention Center, troubling signs that city law and workers’ livelihoods may be threatened.

WHAT:           
A press conference where labor and economic leaders will explain concerns over discovery that the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (ConVis) has explored the possibility of exempting Convention Center workers from San Diego's living wage ordinance. Thousands of San Diegans rely on the living wage and must know that the city's leaders remain 100% committed to upholding the rule.

EVENT:          
Speakers will condemn an attempt to create an exemption to San Diego's living wage ordinance through a new sales and marketing agreement between the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. They will outline the absolute necessity of San Diego's living wage laws and call on our leaders to not only adhere to the law, but never treat the rule or the principle as negotiable. The topic sets a troubling tone as ConVis begins to take over Convention Center bookings on behalf of hoteliers who have already tested the limits of the law more than enough.

WHO:              
Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council
Clare Crawford, Executive Director, Center on Policy Initiatives
Dion Davila, Food Service Worker, San Diego Convention Center. 

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Monday, July 2, 2012

Statement from Scott Peters on the 48th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

 

San Diego – Today, on the 48th Anniversary, of the Civil Rights Act, Scott Peters, candidate for the 52nd Congressional District, released the following statement:

“During this campaign, I’ve talked a lot about my dad, Harvey Peters. I’m thinking about him today as our nation celebrates the 48th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race and gender. It was an historic piece of legislation, but the work didn’t stop there; my dad helped continue the fight as a minister and civil rights leader who fought against housing desegregation in the Detroit suburbs in the late 1960s.

“From his work, he became friends with Martin Luther King, Sr., and they preached at each others' churches to encourage tolerance and unity.  He taught me and my sisters that civil rights and equality for all are paramount – there is no room for compromise. It is up to all of us to stand up for the rights of others. These are the values that drive my commitment to public service.

“Today, I honor all the men and women who fought, and even died, fighting for these protections for all.”
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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Community and Labor Leaders Call for Fair Trade, Not Free Trade Agreement at San Diego TPP Negotiations

 

Amid continued closed-door discussions, labor, environmental, consumer, and social justice organizations rally to bring jobs back home to America


WHAT:          
Broad coalition of labor and community groups will join Congressman Bob Filner and Lorena Gonzalez to speak out against the ongoing, secretive trade agreement known as TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) negotiations taking place in San Diego on July 2-10, 2012. A press conference and community rally calling for fair trade kicks off the first day of TPP talks.

EVENT:         
Leaders will call on trade officials from the United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam to share details of this trade agreement that has been held almost exclusively behind closed doors. This NAFTA-like deal will also include Mexico, Canada, Japan and, potentially, China, Russia and India among other Pacific Rim nations in the future, so we must ensure that America stops giveaways to big Wall Street banks, shipping jobs overseas, attacking worker rights, and eroding environmental protections, all in the name of “free trade.”

WHO:             
Congressman Bob Filner, California 51st District; Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council; Arthur Stamoulis, Citizens Trade Campaign; and speakers for: Machinists Union, UNITE HERE Local 11, Environmental Health Coalition, Union de Barrio, Canvass for a Cause, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Green Party, Occupy San Diego, Af3rm San Diego, Anakbayan, Women Occupy, Activist San Diego, Friends of the Earth.  Bob Filner, Lorena Gonzalez and Arthur Stamoulis will be available to speak with media.

WHEN:          
Monday, July 2, 2012
12:00 p.m.

WHERE:        
Outside the Hilton Bayfront Hotel, One Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92101