Kushner denies she knew about Communist tie to event
Politician accepted award at event that marked birth of Communist Party
DANBURY — State Sen. Julie Kushner is downplaying any connections to the Communist Party after receiving an award earlier this month at an event linked to the party. The same event led to national criticism against U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal for his attendance and he admitted he would not have gone had he known about the ties to the political party.
Kushner, a Democrat from Danbury, was one of three recipients of the Connecticut People’s World Amistad Awards, which recognized her for her efforts to support labor unions and pass the $15 minimum wage and paid family leave, among other efforts to back workers.
The ceremony, held on Dec. 11, however, celebrated the 102nd birthday of the
Communist Party USA and included speeches and videos from union leaders about the role the Communist Party has played in activism for workers. The event included musical performances and speeches related to labor unions, voting rights and the coronavirus pandemic.
“I was not aware of the anniversary,” Kushner said in a statement to the News-Times. “I am familiar with the Armistad Award (sic) and the group’s long-standing activity in New Haven, particularly organizing youth around jobs and housing and supporting labor issues.”
The Facebook event for the ceremony mentioned the anniversary of the Communist Party.
Mike Safranek, chairman of the Danbury Republican Town Committee, said he was shocked the city’s senator would “embrace” communism and the award.
“I’m very surprised because most people are fleeing communism ideologies, most people have realized that communism has failed, that human endeavors are pushing past communism,” he said.
Communist Party USA’s website states that it “has championed the struggles for democracy, labor rights, women’s equality, racial justice and peace for 100 years.”
Kushner said she received the award because she advocated for the CT Paid Family & Medical Leave program.
“This program will benefit thousands of Connecticut’s working families when it begins to pay benefits January 1st,” she wrote.
The Democrat noted other organizations, including AARP, CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund, and Family Values At Work, have honored her for the family leave program.
“The recognition and endorsements I have received come from a broad spectrum of groups, which I believe demonstrates my ability to bring people together to solve problems and find lasting solutions for Connecticut’s working families,” Kushner said in the statement.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., faced backlash in national media outlets for speaking at the event. In an interview with the Hartford Courant, Blumenthal said had he known about the ties to the party “I wouldn’t have gone,” adding he thought it was strictly an event tied to labor.
“As everyone in Connecticut knows, I am delighted to be invited anywhere in our state and I go almost everywhere,” he said in a statement to the News-Times. “I was at this event to honor three really impressive people who have given a lot to Connecticut and their communities: a state legislator who has led the fight for paid family and medical leave, a minister on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a restaurant employee who organized her coworkers to win fair working conditions and pay.”
Other honorees were Pastor Rodney Wade, of Long Hill Bible Church in Waterbury, and Azucena Santiago, a SEIU, Local 32BJ leader.
“I was invited by a local labor union to honor these three individuals — that’s why I was there,” Blumenthal said. “I’m a Democrat and a supporter of American capitalism.”
In his speech, Blumenthal appeared to try to distance himself from the Communist Party. He focused on the accomplishments of the three honorees, who he said he has worked with.
“You don’t have to agree with anyone or everyone with any party or any particular union or organization,” he said. I’m here to honor a great tradition of activism and standing up for individual workers that is represented by the three honorees here.”
He called for federal voting rights bills to be passed, the abolishment of the filibuster and a $15 minimum wage.
His speech came after others praised the Communist Party.
“We invite you to join the Communist Party in this epic time as we make good trouble to uproot systemic racism, retool the world economy, tax the rich, address climate change, secure voting rights and create a new socialist system that puts people, peace and planet before profits,” said Ben McManus, the emcee of the ceremony.
‘Making good trouble’
The award recognizes Kushner for “making good trouble” and breaking ground in women’s equality, workers rights, health and safety, racial and environmental justice, and more.
State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, who co-chairs the Labor Committee with Kushner, presented her the award and called the Danbury legislator “Superwoman” and “Wonder Woman.”
“Your hard work, your dedication, your commitment to the labor movement and to the movement of women, and equity, racial justice, you name it, you’ve been on the forefront with me,” said Porter, a former award recipient.
In her speech, Kushner thanked Connecticut People’s World and the award committee. She praised her fellow honorees, who she called “warriors for justice” and discussed the “recovery for all” movement.
The state’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic shouldn’t be “just a recovery for those who have great wealth,” Kushner said.
“It’s not just a recovery for a handful or even the majority,” she said. “It’s a recovery for all. The only way that’s going to happen is if we work in coalition.”
Before becoming a state senator, Kushner worked as a union organizer, beginning at 24, because she said she “wanted to see justice for workers.” She collaborated with unions in various industries, including child care, casino and graduate student workers.
“Really, it was much more about building a movement,” Kushner said. “For me, it was about building relationships with people. What I got out of that was decades and decades of friendships and deep bonds that will never go away.”