The Connecticut People’s World Committee presented its annual Amistad Awards on Saturday to mark the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party USA, with awards being presented to Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, Pastor Rodney Wade of Waterbury and SEIU activist Azucena Santiago.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, joined the program as a surprise guest to offer his congratulations and present the award winners with certificates of special recognition from the United States Senate. “I am really excited and honored to be with you today and share in this remarkable occasion,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal said one doesn’t have to agree with everything the party or the unions stand for and said he was there to acknowledge “the great tradition of activism and standing up for individual workers that is represented by the three honorees.”
Blumenthal also used his time to pitch support for the Build Back Better plan, voting legislation, a national $15 minimum wage, ending the filibuster and re-electing Democrats to Congress.
“There’s a lot to be working for in economic justice, in racial equity, in establishing a $15 minimum wage,” Blumenthal said, “and holding corporations accountable for the basic treatment of the American people. We need to look at our entire tax system, beginning with Build Back Better.”
Kushner, a former labor organizer for the United Auto Workers and co-chair of the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, received the award for her work on passing Connecticut’s $15 minimum wage, the paid family and medical leave program and her previous union organizing efforts to bring more diversity to the UAW.
Kushner’s award was presented by her Labor Committee co-chair, Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, and previous Amistad Award winner.
Kushner said she became involved in union organizing at a young age, working with employees at the casinos, as well as organizing graduate students at universities giving her friendships and “deep bonds that will never go away.”
“What I found in the state senate is an incredible opportunity,” Kushner said. “When we elect people who prioritize working families, when we elect people who share our values then the possibility for making change for so many is real.”
The other awardees included Pastor Rodney Wade of Long Hill Bible Church in Waterbury for his support in the Recovery for All campaign, which included union labor and community activists pushing for higher wages, increasing taxes on the wealthy and more social spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Azucena Santiago of SEIU 32BJ, who pushed unionization efforts at fast food restaurants in Connecticut Service Plazas.
“We invite you to join the Communist Party in this epic time as we make good trouble to uproot systemic racism, retool the war economy, tax the rich, address climate change, secure voting rights and create a new socialist system that puts people, peace and planet before profits,” event emcee Ben McManus said.
The Connecticut Communist Party is headquartered in New Haven and is run by long-time chairwoman Joelle Fishman, who also serves as chair of the CPUSA Political Action Commission, according to People’s World.
*Meghan Portfolio contributed to this article*
Roy Rinaldi
December 14, 2021 @ 6:47 am
Wow sounds like the communist party is what SCHELETOR really believes not what his patriotic constituents want as our senator well Dick get ready if I have any say you won’t be representing me any longer
jmaggetti
December 14, 2021 @ 11:04 pm
Right on…
Rich Doucette
December 18, 2021 @ 11:48 am
AMEN!!!
Peter c bissell
January 4, 2022 @ 8:50 pm
Do these people have any clue what the Communist party truly stands for I’m actually speechless
Duane G LORSUNG
December 14, 2021 @ 2:39 pm
WAy too many in power–Seem TO WANT THIS COUNTRY to go Socialist–LOOK at the countries that have –scary– dgl
Bob MacGuffie
December 14, 2021 @ 2:47 pm
Arrogant Blumenthal hanging with the Commies. He is not gonna have a smooth ride this year – you can count on it. Comment against him everywhere he surfaces.
Scott Morley
December 19, 2021 @ 5:07 am
You prefer a fascist like we just diSpensed with to a man who just explained why he was there? Woke up!
Hawkrecon
January 2, 2022 @ 9:48 am
You seem to be confused about a fascist (if you are referring to trump). The true fascists are those trying to force non-vaccines on people that truly haven’t been proven. The true fascists are those that promote cancel culture. The true fascists Are those that tell you if you don’t vaxx. If you don’t mask up YOU uninvited or you can’t work.
Thats Communism.
Kathy maloney
December 14, 2021 @ 4:14 pm
What a disgrace
MICHAEL KARABIN
December 14, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
this is not surprising given his extreme ego and his past mockery of our military by his outlandish lies about his military service. he is so out of touch with the citizens of this great state it is pathetic. mr plastic hair does not deserve the title of united states senator.
Jodi
December 14, 2021 @ 8:21 pm
Wow commUnist party usa sounds unAmerican!
Timothy Richard
December 14, 2021 @ 10:15 pm
This is beyond perverse. How can anyone vote for these freedom haters?
They should be driven out of our state and nation.
Disgusting spoIled low Lifes.
David Moore
December 28, 2021 @ 12:28 pm
People LIKE YOU WHO ENGAGE IN REDBAITING ARE THE REAL FREEDOM HATERS. tO ATTACK A VETERAN LIKE dICK blUMENTHAL (HE DIDN’T GO TO VIETNAM BUT HE DID SERVE IN THE MARINE RESERVE) IS DESPICABLE. aND IT IS MORONIC TO INSINUATE THAT THIS DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT IS A COMMUNIST
David Chodeness
December 15, 2021 @ 11:18 am
Just like Dick lied about serving actually in Vietnam he will lie about knowing this was a commie awards ceremony. Dick is a slime bag.
Stanley
December 15, 2021 @ 12:18 pm
So sad to see the truth with in our government; knownly that he is not the bottom of the barrow .sadly other AMERICAns has been heading down that road softly for a long long time.
People refuse to see the outcome
Penny Barry
December 15, 2021 @ 1:22 pm
What is happening to our country? I cannot believe what I am hearing and seeing. Our country is going to hell. If you want to be a communist go back to russia!
Dani
December 16, 2021 @ 8:41 pm
I couldn’t believe what i was seeing, either, when somebody shared a video of this pos receiving his award from the club.
Albert
December 20, 2021 @ 12:02 pm
Like trump did? he said he is good buddies with putin and he has business activities right now in russia. do you mean like that?
Mick
December 21, 2021 @ 7:54 am
…….says the Village idiot….
Carl Slicer
December 15, 2021 @ 2:56 pm
If the Labor Unions we SO interested in the care of the American individual then why did they not…
#1) Repair our bridges, road & rails in connecticut in 2012 with CT Governor Malloy?
#2) establish a minimum wage base & pay for having a High School degree as well?
#3) Support the “Buy american-Hire American” and put USA workers back to work?
PS: I am a lifeTime conservative and will always support the USA first & foremost.
john flynn
December 15, 2021 @ 10:41 pm
Glad to announce , RUNNING FOR us sENaTE for many reasons. 5G, Oxy, The Iran Deal, the green new deal, and the other 1042 bills he worked on to destory the USA. Imagine paying terrorists not to wipe us out. He drafted the late term abortion bill that allows partial birth abortion and allows for the abaandonment of a fetus that servives a botched abortion. He supports communism, owns partnerships of Chinese malls, radio and Television. Blumenthal is on the Judiciary? Took bribes from OXy? Took bribes from Burisma lobbyist Leiter, during an impeachment?
Gerardo Martinez-Solanas
December 16, 2021 @ 10:49 am
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) has just raised the stakes for a Democratic Party that doesn’t want to be branded as socialist.
DeborahMcLaughlin
December 16, 2021 @ 5:21 pm
Useful idiots.
Roy Rinaldi
December 17, 2021 @ 8:48 am
SKELETOR AND HIS COMMIES MUST GO !! WE WOULD ALL BE BETTER OFF THE SOONER THE BETTER !!! Jeff DUNHAM’S DUMMY WALTER WOULD BE BETTER AND SMARTER THAN THE WEAK SOCIALIST CRONIE WE HAVE AS PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW !!!!!
Josep denicola
December 17, 2021 @ 10:46 am
I can’t believe that we have a commie representing us in the senate. Let us all not forget this moment come november. No matter what this idiot will spin cone election day. RememBer he doesn’t have to worry about gas or food. Please everyone don’t forget this day!
J Edgar Hoover.
December 19, 2021 @ 4:12 am
The communist threat from without must not blind us from the communist threat from within. The latter is reacHing into the very heart of america through its ESPIONAGE agents
And A cunning, defiat, and lawless communist party, wich is fanatically dedicated to the maRXist cause of world enslavement and Destruction of the foundation of our republic.
Bob
December 19, 2021 @ 4:13 am
The communist threat from without must not blind us from the communist threat from within. The latter is reacHing into the very heart of america through its ESPIONAGE agents
And A cunning, defiat, and lawless communist party, wich is fanatically dedicated to the maRXist cause of world enslavement and Destruction of the foundation of our republic.
David Moore
December 28, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
YOU NEED TO SEE A PYSCHIATRIST TO TREAT YOUR PARANOIA
Hal Shurtleff
December 21, 2021 @ 10:43 am
Under Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, a member of the U.S. Senate can be expelled by a 2/3rds vote of the Senate. Senator Richard Blumenthal should be expelled for speaking at a Communist Party event and then lying about not knowing that it was a Communist Party event. Please call your U.S. senators and demand that Blumenthal be expelled. The Senate switchboard is 202-224-3121
Jay B
December 21, 2021 @ 2:25 pm
Another politician with no visible moral compass or allegiance to the u.s. Constitution. Only Loyal to party leadership vs loyalty to the interests of CT (legal) voters. History Will not look kindly on his legacy. Get well soon Senator B.
Marilyn B
December 21, 2021 @ 3:08 pm
Get out whiLe you can. I did. It’s Murphy, DeLauro, Lamont, Malloy, Blumey. All tHe demoncratS.
Alice de Telarisi
December 22, 2021 @ 11:28 am
this guy AlWays gives me the creeps. He sticks his heaD in any photo Opt he can and thAT is About all he does. We have to vote thEse people out. Everyone has to know AbouT this ! Forward this to everyone you kNow. Let everyone know what this Guy stanDs for. This Admini. Is destroying our nation ALONG WITH our cIty and STATE LEADERS We can change this .we juSt hAve to let people know What is going on BECAUSE the media wOn ‘t . The media And sovial media are CONTROLLING our livEs. Pass this on And dont give up! Forward this to everyone you know and make sure you Vote against people like this.! A good friEnd told me ‘It’s not About DeMs vs. rep. This is about goOd vs. evil.’.
Kim Libera
January 4, 2022 @ 4:37 pm
of course blumee is a communist. people think communism is just some term that happens over here. it is a ideology where by proponents believe in not only govt. run structure of society but govt-owned. Govt controls the source & distribution of goods. there is no private property. it tries to pretend that govt holds everyone’s interest at heart but it subdues our natural born rights & is despises normal institutions such as a constitution or faith. if one has followed this opportunist he has never expressed faith in the constitution but he views himself as rescuing the people from some greedy entity in society. he is not a capitalist. he has never facilitated any industrial growth or educational reform that accomplishes critical thinking or cultural literacy. in fact you don’t get in front of him & the podium. he is self-enabled in his own craving for attention & that he is doing good. he has opposed candidates for cabinet positions & judicial who believe they are on the side of the constitution. With cavanaugh, oh brett must be lying, this witness must be truthful. people think of him as being tough. yeah right, tough against illegals, tough against putin, against fraud, against computer scams. it’s a joke.
KIM LIBERA
January 10, 2022 @ 10:35 am
Well he is not a capitalist. he is quite vocal in having govt own & control different sectors of our economy b/c he, having never worked in the real world, believes govt will run it better. So his aims are no different than those in china. See a lot of folks think communism is just something that happens over there. our inadequate educational system does not discuss the principles of this dangerous ideology: no bill for rights, no private property ownership, fixed wages, shortages & rationing of goods & surpluses, penalties for speaking out against the powers that be, no allowance for practice of faith, prohibition of the arts unless they glorify the state leader. see the individual exists to serve the state. Their individusal presence & rights do not matter.