Social Welfare Action Alliance’s

The Rumble for Human Rights, a social work and human services track at the 2nd International Gathering of Social Movements on Water and the 2nd National Legal and Legislation Summit on Water. Organized in conjunction with  the Social Welfare Action Alliance (SWAA) and the New Poor People’s Campaign.

International Gathering of Social Movements on Water

A social movement gathering of allies and advocates from across the U.S. and internationally who work on issues of clean, affordable, and accessible water, especially for low income communities.

Legal and Legislation Summit on Water

A convening to describe and investigate legal strategies, and—in collaboration with movement organizations–develop legislative efforts for bills and ordinances at local, state, and federal levels.

SWAA’s Rumble for Human Rights

A gathering of people involved in the social welfare and human services in any capacity to analyze how the denial of water rights is connected to the struggle for all human rights, adapt lessons from the water rights movement to our other work for justice, and create a practice model of radical resistance and transformation.

Rumble Highlights

  • Opening panel with other frontline human service workers & people in poverty
  • A Social Movement Assembly, Human Services Challenges in Our Times: Resist, Reflect, Act 
  • Self-Organized Interest & Action Groups , for example:
    – Dismantling White Supremacy
    – Radical SW Practice
    – Solidarity as Self Care
    – Social Workers against Solitary Confinement
    – Guaranteed Basic Income
    – Homeless Bill of Rights Campaign/Criminalization of Homeless
    – Others to be organized at the SMA
  • Historical reflections, lessons and political analysis, including
    – The Civil Rights Movement: Conditions then, why this moment is different, and what lies ahead
    – Understanding U.S. Fascism
    – A national report and video from the New Poor People’s Campaign
  • Strategy & Next Steps Discussions & Reports

Event Information

  1. Participation in the full gathering, Thursday – Sunday
  2. Orientation and invitation to SWAA National meeting Thursday, June 8th
  3. Panel with frontline human service workers and families denied water, health, food, or other means of survival
  4. A half day social movement assembly: Human Service Challenges In Our Times: Resist, Reflect, Act
  5. SWAA sponsorship/support for the larger gathering
  6. Interest & Action Groups for follow-up support and movement-building
  7. Historical reflections, lessons and political analysis, including
    – The Civil Rights Movement: Conditions then, why this moment is different, and what lies ahead
    – Understanding U.S. Fascism
    – A national report and video from the New Poor People’s Campaign

We strongly suggest social movement travelers apply for Common Counsel travel grants through the Grassroots Exchange Fund. For assistance with travel grants contact SWAA member Monica Beemer at monibeem@gmail.com

Deadline is May 1 for Common Counsel travel grants. 

Download the application here. 

Travel and hotel accomodations are not included. You are asked to stay through the final session, which ends at 3:00pm Sunday. Please arrange transportation with this in mind.

Hotel Accommodations

  • Events will be held at several Detroit venues but based at the Hotel St. RegisTo reserve double rooms at the hotel for $89 plus tax, call 855-408-7738 and use event code: Peoples Water Board Coalition

Local Transportation

  • Transportation within Detroit will be by charter bus and public light rail.

Airport transportation

  • Fly to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW).  Transportation to and from the airport is limited and expensive.  Event organizers are hoping to arrange shuttles.  Further information will follow.

Parking

  • Valet parking is available at the hotel.  Self-Parking is available at the other venues.

Remember to bring your passport or special license for crossing borders

The event schedule will be updated as additional information becomes available.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

12:00–3:00pm / Hotel St. Regis, Detroit, MI

SWAA registration and business meeting at Hotel St Regis, Behind the Main Dining Room (formerly known as the Boulevard Room). You are welcome to join us!

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

8:00am–5:00pm / Hotel St. Regis, Detroit, MI

2nd Legal and Legislative Summit on Water in the hotel Ballroom. In the afternoon, SWAA will be hosting a Social Movement Assembly elsewhere in the hotel.

1:00–5:00pm / SWAA Social Movement Assembly “Human Services Challenges in Our Times: Resist, Reflect, Act”

Hotel St Regis, space behind the Main Dining Room (formerly known as the Boulevard Room.) Join us for a panel on social work and human rights followed by small group discussions on questions such as “ How can human service workers contribute to the current efforts to end poverty and oppression?”

5:30–8:00pm / Dinner at Central United Methodist Church, (23 E. Adams St., Detroit), Water Documentary Film (2nd floor) , & SWAA Interest/Action group meetings (MWRO office, 4th floor).

Any SWAA member may organize an Interest/Action Group to meet at this time and/or other times during the gathering. Please announce your group during the SWAA SMA.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

8:00am–8:00pm / IBEW Union Hall

After a light breakfast, the day will begin with a review of the last two days along with an overview of Saturday and Sunday. There will then be a discussion on historical reflections, lessons, and political analysis, along with a report and video from the New Poor People’s Campaign. The afternoon will consist of group introductions and panel reports and analyses on the crisis of water and sanitation in the U.S., international, and territories, followed by dinner and a cultural activity.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

8:30am–3:00pm / Belle Isle-Dossin Museum

The weekend wraps up with an international water ceremony near the Detroit River, breakfast, a review of the gathering, strategy discussions and commitments to next steps.

Questions? Contact Monica Beemer, monibeem@gmail.com or 503-860-9880.

We look forward to seeing you at the event! For any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.