Political ‘Too Punk to Trump’ concert Dec. 22 open to all

By ED FINKELSTEIN

Publisher

To further its goal of building bridges between unions and community activists, you are invited to a unique “Too Punk to Trump” Political Concert Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at the St. Louis Workers’ Education Society (WES), 2929 S. Jefferson Ave.

“These DIY political punk shows are part of an ongoing series designed to engage and energize youth. We want people to take action. We want to build bridges between labor unions and the community activists, while laying the groundwork for our future,” Tony Pecinovsky, WES’s president said.

“We want to provide a safe, inclusive space for people to get together, socialize and politicize, while enjoying powerful music and presentations. We recognized that punk music was used as radical resistance during right wing leadership in the 80’s and we want to help revive that spirit today.”

SPEAKERS TOO

Speakers at the concert will talk about how a Trump presidency impacts their corner of the social justice world. The concert is an opportunity to educate and bring people together after such a polarizing election season.

Making presentations will be:

• Pamela Merritt, co-founder of Reproaction and author of the blog Angry Black Bitch will provide the keynote address.
• Bradley Harmon, president of CWA Local 6355 and representative to the AFL-CIO’s national LGBTQ constituency group Pride at Work.
• State Rep.-elect Bruce Franks Jr. (D-78) will battle rap as part of the performance.

UNION CONNECTION

“At WES shows people rock out, socialize, and build relationships. Also, if they are interested, they can talk with us about a potential pathway into a skilled trade or union job,” Pecinovsky added.

For example, WES’s partnership with the Painters’ Union sponsored Advanced Skills Workforce Center has graduated more than 60 African-American men into a skilled trade making union wages with union benefits.

The concert, an all ages event, is open to all with a $7 suggested donation, however, no one will be turned away. There will be raffles, prizes and vegan chili hotdogs.

Tickets can be purchased and donations made at aplos.com/aws/give/WorkersEducationSociety.