Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Around 50 people attended the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Weaver Pickard was an employee of Sewon America, an auto parts supplier for Kia, who died May 29 of this year, after working in extreme heat on the company’s project weld line in LaGrange, according to another Sewon employee who spoke with a local LaGrange newspaper under anonymity. Troup County Coroner Jeff Cook confirmed that Teresa, 42, of Wadley, Al., died after an emergency call came in indicating she was having trouble breathing. Her body has been sent to the state crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy, but the results could take three to four months because of a backlog in cases, Cook said. The rally at the park included speeches from some Atlanta area workers rights organizations including the NAACP, the Georgia State AFL-CIO and Atlanta Jobs with Justice, a moment of silence in memory of Teresa and a balloon release.
Shapel LaBorde prepares balloons for the moment of silence during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
LaDie Mansfield (left) and Shapel LaBorde prepare balloons for the moment of silence during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Marcus Bracey (left), Rabiah Elisa and Robert Feria hold signs voicing workers’ rights during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Shapel LaBorde (left) chants to passersby using a bullhorn as Kathy Acker and Marcus Bracey hold up a sign during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
LaDie Mansfield (right) speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Robert Feria (right) speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Robert Feria (left) speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Posters and signs voicing workers’ rights are held during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Scott Smith speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Michael James (right) speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Posters and signs voicing workers’ rights are held during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Dr. Quincy Harris with the NAACP speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Yvonne T. Robinson, secretary-treasurer for the Georgia State AFL-CIO, speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Kendra Williams holds a sign voicing workers’ rights during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Ben Speight (left), co-chair for Atlanta Jobs with Justice, speaks during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Robert Feria (right) loosens ballons as Thomas Otoo passes one to Aimee Twagirumukiza as participants prepare for a moment of silence during the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Nia James (left) and Courtnee Brinker hold balloons and signs as they observe a moment of silence as part of the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Nia James (left), Hannah Ontiveros and Aimee Twagirumukiza release balloons as part of the We Are Here Rally for Respect in Remembrance of Teresa Weaver Pickard at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.