Workers Defense Project Celebrates Holidays, Accomplishments

Workers Defense Project staff members Saturday opened the doors to their East Side offices for their version of a Posada Navideña—a traditional Christmas celebration as celebrated throughout Latin America.

The holiday gathering doubled as a celebration of recent WDP accomplishments, including: helping recover back wages for low-income workers through negotiation (more than $1.15 million to date); continually applying pressure on the governor’s office in pressing for immigration reform; and the success of a recent pilgrimage calling attention to a federal detention facility housing female refugees seeking asylum.

Members of families aided by the WDP were on hand to participate in dancing and gift exchanges as well as partake of a potluck dinner featuring homemade Latin American cuisine. Those in attendance sang traditional songs associated with Las Posadas, a ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph searching for lodging for the baby Jesus performed just before Christmas.

And, of course, there was the traditional busting up of a piñata. The celebration took place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the WDP offices at 5604 Manor Rd.

Created in 2002, WDP is a statewide organization engaged in advocating for workers’ rights. Its creative approach in empowering laborers has raised its profile, helped in part by a recent story about its work in the New York Times.

» Photos courtesy of Sam Robles, Workers Defense Project