 This area of Ohio was built around industry - steel, the auto industry, etc. As our economy has changed, thousands and thousands of job!
s have been downsized. The results have been tragic and serious, as the community tries to cope with its losses. After arriving in Lorain, Ohio at 2 AM, the freedom riders set up their tents to sleep for the night (depicted on the front page). Breakfast was provided early in the morning by members of "Drop the Guns." Later in the morning, we piled into the bus to head for Cleveland Ohio. In Cleveland we heard speeches and testimony from a wide range of  organizations in support of the campaign. We learned that 40% of people in Cleveland live in poverty. Recent laws have made it even more difficult to survive. But these struggles are largely invisible - the major newspaper !
in the area, for example, fully supported welfare reform. Representatives from many important organizations came out to support the rally, including the United Electrical Workers, the Steelworkers Union, the STOP Coalition, the United Church of Christ, and many others. Before leaving, we were deeply moved by the words of street poet Daniel Thompson. Back in Lorain, we had a tribunal before a panel of influential community leaders. We heard testimony of people who, after working all their lives, found themselves without access to life-sustaining medication. Other community members, gave testimonies. We learned that 52% of welfare benefits in Ohio have been cut since welfare reform. Of those who have been dropped off the rolls, only 1/3 ma!
naged to actually "get off" welfare because they managed to find a job or their situation otherwise changed; the other 2/3 have been cut off of assistance because of sanctioning. And the rate people are dropped off the rolls continues to accelerate.  The panel of community leaders signed a statement supporting the claims of economic human rights violations in Ohio. After a day of heartbreaking testimonies, we got a moment of rest, hosted by UAW local 245 and the Hispanic Council of the UAW. We were entertained by a children's dance group who performed traditional Mexican dances. Others told their stories, played music, or gave words of encouragement. The f!
reedom bus choir performed as well. Many of the freedom riders have come down with a fairly serious stomach flu, although it appears to run its course in 24 hours. The bus is also running short on blankets. Despite these difficulties, morale is high, as we are constantly reminded of our purpose, and the desperate need for the task we have taken on for this month. [Pictures: 1)Jack Kilroy, director of Grassroots Leadership with Cheri Honkala 2)Steel factory which has laid off thousands of workers 3)Traditional Mexican dancers perform at UAW local 245.] [Next] [Previous!
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