Over 50 Memphians Travel to Rally in D.C

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than 50 Memphians are on a long bus ride, they hope will eventually pay-off in more job opportunities for Memphis and Shelby County.

They'll be part of thousands expected to gather at the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the "One Nation Coming Together" rally tomorrow.

Mass demonstrations in Washington D.C for decades, whether about civil rights, war, poverty or collective dissatisfaction with governmental policy, these forms of usually non-violent protest have symbolically served as clarion calls for action.

More than 50 Memphians boarded an NAACP chartered bus Friday morning to participate in the latest example of democratic pro-action to be staged in the nation's capitol. The bus riders will join an expected crowd of several hundred thousand people who'll descend on the National Mall for the one nation coming together rally on Saturday. The event is being comprised of a coalition of more than 170 organizations who are advocating for more jobs and economic justice.

"The silent majorities of these people who've been out there hurting and haven't had the luxury of being on T.V. Or taking some trips get their voices heard," said G.A. Hardaway, a Memphis State representative.

Perhaps no recent Washington demonstration will feature such diversified participants who are representing unions, education advocates, gay rights and civil liberty groups. But, for the Memphis group the emphasis will focus on the bleak employment picture in Memphis and Shelby County. Several laid-off teachers aides, who are members of the national education association, are making the 17 ½ hour trip.

"My goal is to fight for the rights like the ESPS; the educational assistants, who are out of work and that's my main concern right now. Getting them some jobs and getting them some help," said Andrea Austin, an unemployed teacher's assistant.

"I want to take with me hope and more aspects for children for their education and for jobs because we all have to stand together to do something to make a difference," said Allonya Payne an umemployed teacher's aide.

"A lot of us are unemployed and educated. We've got student loans and families to take care of and now's the time make our voices heard, especially as a military wife. You know my husband went and he fought for this nation. They come back and we should be able to give them good jobs," said Latrivia Nelson who plans on going to the Washington D.C. rally.

The event comes in the wake of recent massive Washington demonstrations including television personality Glen Beck's August "Reclaim The Dream" rally and a dueling one on the same day headed by activist Al Sharpton. So, given there doesn't appear to be a dominant common goal what's going to make Saturday's confluence of various interests anymore effective in reaching lawmakers.

"What's gonna make it different is we're going and when we come back, we're gonna call our elected officials and let our voice be known. Cause we really want something done in Washington and November 2nd is when we make sure that happens," said Deidre Malone, a 'One Nation' NCAAP organizer.