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Steelworkers Union Calls for Solidarity Against Miami Police
One of the first victims of neoliberalism in North America, steelworkers, showed up in force at the protests in Miami. Many of them joined with direct action and black bloc kids, helping reach size equilibrium with a muscular police force. Today, USWA is calling for nationwide solidarity against the police in Miami.
PITTSBURGH — The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) is calling for a Congressional investigation into "a massive police state," created in part with federal funds, to intimidate union members and others critical of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and limit their rights during FTAA meetings in Miami last week.
"Last week, the fundamental rights of thousands of Americans … were blatantly violated, sometimes violently, by the Miami police, who systematically repressed our Constitutional right to free assembly with massive force, riot gear and armaments," said Leo W. Gerard, USWA international president, in a letter to Congressional leaders.
"It is condemnable enough that a massive police state was created to prevent American citizens from directly petitioning FTAA negotiators for redress of their grievances," Gerard said in the letter.
"It is doubly condemnable," he added, "that $9 million of federal funds designated for the reconstruction of Iraq were used toward this despicable purpose. How can we hope to build democracy in Iraq while using massive force to dismantle it here at home?"
Citing "countless instances of humiliating repression in which the Miami police force disgraced itself," Gerard said that Miami police chief John Timoney should be fired, all charges against peaceful demonstrators should be dropped, and a Congressional investigation into the Miami police department's systematic repression should immediately be launched.
"To do less would be to endorse homeland repression in the guise of homeland security," Gerard’s letter concluded.
Contact: Marco Trbovich (412) 562-2442
reposted by http://www.indybay.org/
"Last week, the fundamental rights of thousands of Americans … were blatantly violated, sometimes violently, by the Miami police, who systematically repressed our Constitutional right to free assembly with massive force, riot gear and armaments," said Leo W. Gerard, USWA international president, in a letter to Congressional leaders.
"It is condemnable enough that a massive police state was created to prevent American citizens from directly petitioning FTAA negotiators for redress of their grievances," Gerard said in the letter.
"It is doubly condemnable," he added, "that $9 million of federal funds designated for the reconstruction of Iraq were used toward this despicable purpose. How can we hope to build democracy in Iraq while using massive force to dismantle it here at home?"
Citing "countless instances of humiliating repression in which the Miami police force disgraced itself," Gerard said that Miami police chief John Timoney should be fired, all charges against peaceful demonstrators should be dropped, and a Congressional investigation into the Miami police department's systematic repression should immediately be launched.
"To do less would be to endorse homeland repression in the guise of homeland security," Gerard’s letter concluded.
Contact: Marco Trbovich (412) 562-2442
reposted by http://www.indybay.org/
For more information:
http://www.uswa.org/uswa/program/content/7...
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now thats what i call solidarity!!
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A picture of Che and an American flag! Hahahaha
Very impressive, although stripped of nationalism and personality worship, he would make a real communist militant.
The funny thing is, the 'radicals' and 'anarchists' go on and on about the workers, and then when the workers do something they think is okay, the elitist radicals who have never touched a steel girder in their life make fun of them on the internet.
Picture if this guy sat down on one of the 'anarchist' discussions on here. The 'radicals' would quickly trash him as being out of touch with their special take on anarchist history and how everyone else is so wrong. It's elitist, exlusionary BS.
The workers of today, in the US, are not preserved in time from a revolution in another country, just waiting for the 'anarchist' message to come along and free them. They are a unique breed. Just as you are.
I support him shaking hands here. He sees what people are doing on the streets. But online he'd be treated like dirt by most 'radicals.'
Picture if this guy sat down on one of the 'anarchist' discussions on here. The 'radicals' would quickly trash him as being out of touch with their special take on anarchist history and how everyone else is so wrong. It's elitist, exlusionary BS.
The workers of today, in the US, are not preserved in time from a revolution in another country, just waiting for the 'anarchist' message to come along and free them. They are a unique breed. Just as you are.
I support him shaking hands here. He sees what people are doing on the streets. But online he'd be treated like dirt by most 'radicals.'
Someone once said, "There are no contradictions--check your premises".
I take great hope from my (unnamed) union brother's juxtapostion of images. Perhaps he is attempting to reclaim the concept of America?
Elitism and ideologues are a scourge and a barrier to progressive progress. Not to mention ineffective--it has been the working folks that have fostered any significant change in this country. I applaud the steelworker (and the Black Bloc-esque guy shaking his hand).
Solidarity
I take great hope from my (unnamed) union brother's juxtapostion of images. Perhaps he is attempting to reclaim the concept of America?
Elitism and ideologues are a scourge and a barrier to progressive progress. Not to mention ineffective--it has been the working folks that have fostered any significant change in this country. I applaud the steelworker (and the Black Bloc-esque guy shaking his hand).
Solidarity
It is time for all unions in this country ask there members to boycott Miami. An investacation won't cut it, it will just turn into a white wash. It is time to hit Miami were it hurts, money. Money is the only thing this "Bannan Rebuplic" understands. Cut off turist dollars and see what happens, a lot of heads will roll real fast. I live in Broward and I will stop spending money in Dade county. I call for every one to boycott Dade county.
Power to the People!
Ray
Power to the People!
Ray
It is time for all unions in this country ask there members to boycott Miami. An investacation won't cut it, it will just turn into a white wash. It is time to hit Miami were it hurts, money. Money is the only thing this "Bannan Rebuplic" understands. Cut off turist dollars and see what happens, a lot of heads will roll real fast. I live in Broward and I will stop spending money in Dade county. I call for every one to boycott Dade county.
Power to the People!
Ray
Power to the People!
Ray
People like steelworkers and etc are treatly badly online, at our protests, at our social gatherings, at everything. They don't talk the right way. They don't eat the right food. They don't listen to the right music. They don't hate all sports except for soccer. They don't dress in dirty clothes. They don't endless gab about their sexuality to anyone who is within earshot. Thus, they are social rejects from the exclusive leftist club of the west coast -- which hopefully has its days numbered.
I don't think I am being elitist, I just think that nationalism is the greatest threat to any sort of revolutionary movement, either here or in other countries. The ruling class will do whatever it takes to channel discontent into DEAD ENDS such as nationalism. Che symbolizes third world nationalism, where as the US flag symbolizes American nationalism. The man is a militant obviously, and I respect him immensely for that, its only during times of anti-capitalist activity that we workers become our most revolutionary, however if we maintain the nationalist mindset of our friend in the picture, then we support the very systems which divide and destroy us as a political power.
I am no anarchist.
I am no anarchist.
Please join with The United Steelworkers of America and email, phone, fax or snail mail your Reps!
What if we had marched to the fence carrying 100 American flags. Would the cops have been more or less likely to attack. If they did, how will that look to the rest of the country.
What kind of flags did they carry at the Boston Tea Party?
Don't cede the flag to the right and the corporations. We're the patriots they are not.
What kind of flags did they carry at the Boston Tea Party?
Don't cede the flag to the right and the corporations. We're the patriots they are not.
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