Progressive Education and Research
Associates, Inc. d/b/a
New Haven Peoples Center
37 Howe Street, New Haven
Connecticut 06511
June 5, 2012
Statement by Progressive Education
and Research Associates, Inc.
regarding the request for state
bonding funds to restore the New Haven
Peoples Center
The withdrawal of
funds from the state bonding budget to restore the
historic New Haven Peoples Center is a blow to
democracy at the expense of the people of this
city.
This 1851 Italianate
building which is a site on the state Freedom
Trail meets all criteria for bonding funds, as was
attested to by the office of the Governor.
However, a group opposed to the multi-racial and
multi-cultural youth, labor, civil rights and
peace programs offered at the Center, sought to
stop the funding by creating a charged political
atmosphere, resorting to McCarthyite-style
anti-communism.
Initial complaints
by Republicans that two officers of the building
are members of the Communist Party USA were
unsuccessful in stopping the funding. Next, a
veterans motorcycle group and other veterans were
recruited to come to New Haven for a protest at
the site of the building. They opposed the funding
on the grounds that the People's World, the
newspaper of the Communist Party, has an office in
the Peoples Center.
Their purpose was to
create an anti-communist media frenzy. They
ignored the fact that the bonding request was to
restore an historic building. They ignored the
many veterans who participate with the Peoples
Center including president Alfred Marder who was
awarded a Bronze Star for heroism during WW II.
They did not have any interest in the youth,
immigrant, cultural and educational activities so
vital to New Haven. They disregarded the wide
array of support by elected officials, labor
leaders, clergy, peace and progressive
organizations representing tens of thousands of
Connecticut residents.
Their press
conference launched a weekend campaign to pressure
members of the Bond Commission to vote no. It is
a shameful and sad day in Connecticut that the
request was pulled by the Governor when nothing
had changed regarding the validity of the project.
The People's World
is one of many groups who utilize the Peoples
Center along with Unidad Latina en Accion, New Elm
City Dream, Jobs and Unemployed Committee, the
Marsalka reference library, Free 2 Spit, the Peace
Council, many unions including SEIU 32 BJ, AFSCME
Council 4, and many more. As a newspaper, the
People's World should be treated as such without
discrimination against its content.
Giving in to such a
threat opens the door to fear and division and
diminishes our state. All those who believe in
the Constitutional right to freedom of expression
should be outraged at this dangerous development.
If one project or group can be discriminated
against, any project or group can be next.
We call upon all
supporters of the Peoples Center, all democratic
minded people in Connecticut, all those who
appreciate the rich labor and anti-racism history
and contributions of the Peoples Center, all those
who have benefited from participating at the
Peoples Center to come forward and speak out
against this grave injustice.
Together we can
create the necessary counter pressure to restore
the Peoples Center, reflecting its continuity
since 1937 as a labor - community center for
social, educational and cultural activities. From
housing the first inter-racial theater group and
basketball team in New Haven in the 30's and 40's,
to the first homeless run day center in the 90s,
to the youth organizing and immigrant worker
organizing of today.
Messages of support
to Sen. Toni Harp for her unwavering stand in
defense of the funding are appreciated. Messages
urging Governor Malloy to reconsider his decision
are in order. Comments posted on media websites
covering the story are helpful.
###
Excerpts of some
of the testimonials of support for funding
submitted to Gov. Danell Malloy:
New Haven Board
of Aldermen:
"As city officials
we are acutely aware of entities who are committed
to the public good and deserve our support. We can
say without hesitation that this is one of those
agencies. We have very few places like this in our
city and are in desperate need of more. Until we
have more we must support the ones we have.
Without the state bonding funds we risk losing
this facility as well."
Ward 7 Alderman
Doug Hausladen:
"Constituents and
myself very much appreciate the historic
contributions to the good and welfare of the
community and support funding for the Center's
restoration....It makes a tremendously valuable
contribution to the well-being of our community,
and I am therefore committed to help the Peoples
Center continue and grow its work."
Connecticut
AFL-CIO
"This building is of
great historic value as well as a vital resource
for labor and community today....We are aware of
some opposition from some Republicans. We want to
empahsize that Connecticut and New Haven are
greatly enriched by the presence and contributions
of the Peoples Center. Restoring the building is
an excellent investment."
The Amistad
Committee, Inc.
"The Amistad
Committee, as the mandated coordinator of the
official State of Connecticut Freedom Trail
endorses the proposal to fund reapirs to the
historic New Haven Peoples Center, a sit on the
Freedom Trail."
AFSCME Council 4
"Since its founding,
the New Haven Peoples Center has been an anchor of
forward thinking and community engagement....Today
the Peoples Center carries on that tradition and
continues to press for a stronger community, one
free of prejudice and self-destruction. It is both
a piece of our history and a part of our future.
Council 4 AFSCME is a proud supporter of the
Peoples Center. However it is badly in need of
repair. We urge you to fulfill this request. We
cannot afford to lose such a cherished landmark."
UNITE HERE Local
217
"The Peoples Center
recognizes the human rights and dignity of all
working people. It is a place that all our members
can enjoy....The Peoples Center has stood firm for
the rights of immigrant workers and their
families, and in so doing represents the greater
good of the entire community. WE appreciate all
the assistance that can be given to insure the
restoration of this wonderful building so that the
important work taking place there can continue and
grow."
UNITE HERE Unions
at Yale
"The Peoples Center
is well known to our members who hve appreciated
many events and programs held each year featuring
speakers and cultgural programs that have provided
a forum where our members and their families can
share their accomplihments and conerns and enjoy
events with the broader community. The Peoples
Center has been a steadfast friend and ally to the
working families of New Haven and Connecticut. We
are proud to support the Peoples Center as a place
that makes our community strong."
Greater New Haven
Central Labor Council
"This institution
has been pro-active for the needs of working
people for 75 years....The Peoples Center is vital
to our community and beyond that to the state of
Connecticut. Funding the restoration project is a
worthy and important investment for the working
people of Connecticut."
SEIU 32 BJ
"Our union fully
supports the request for bonding funds to restore
the building at 37 Howe Street in New Haven which
houses the New Haven Peoples Center....Restoring
the building is an excellent investment. It will
benefit the historic area in which it is located,
and it will benefit all of those who have used and
continue to enjoy the opportunities it provides."
The youth of the
New Elm City Dream
"Being in the
Peoples' Center helps the youth stay off the
streets and helping the community, and also it is
training us the youth in our community to become
leaders. The Peoples Center helped a lot of the
youth to do much better in school and with some of
their personal issues, such as their behavior and
grades....The building needs repairs and needs a
face lift. If it gets repaired more youth will
come, and the building....can positively affect
young lives for years to come. Also, right now we
are making history by planning a March for Youth
Jobs on June 16, 2012.
