LiUNA International Convention 2026

I recently covered the convention of 4,000+ delegates and attendees of LiUNA, the Laborers International Union of North America. This strong and diverse building trades union has well over half a million members and is committed through its "Laborers Rising" campaign to grow to a million or more. The week was filled with planning, high energy, rousing insightful speakers, and a feeling of righteous support and belonging - solidarity.

Thanks to Ed Rehfeld and Dionne Stafford of the LiUNA staff, to photographer Keith Mellnick, alongside whom I worked with seamlessly, and especially to the great hardworking women and men of LiUNA.

Feel the power. 

Las Vegas. Gotta have Elvis...

March On Washington 2026

The righteous Nadine Dowell

I covered the 63rd anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington DC. From the March's website "We march to defend the vote, because voting rights are under attack and the protections generations fought, bled, and died for are being weakened.

We march to defend civil rights, because attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion are attempts to roll back access, opportunity, and representation.

We march for economic justice, because too many families are still fighting for fair wages, affordable housing, equal opportunity, and a fair chance to build wealth.

This is not only about one election. This is about whether our democracy will protect all of us. This is about whether the promises of 1963 will finally be made real. This is about standing together, across generations, to say we will not go backward.

... we return to Washington not to remember history, but to make history. We march for the vote. We march for justice. We march for the future."

I spent good time with the DC Activist Street Band and the Extraordinary Rendition Band (from Providence RI). Solidarity and joyful righteous noise.

Prominent speakers included Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanbergand AFT president Randi Weingarten.