AFL-CIO Writes Letter to Baltimore City not to Evict Occupy Baltimore the 99%

[Omaha Steve]

http://corymccray.com/2011/10/afl-cio-writes-letter-to-baltimore-city-not-to-evict-occupy-baltimore-the-99/

October 27, 2011



Video at link (I'm headed out the door and didn't see the video yet).

On October 27, 2011 Occupy Baltimore the 99% was set to get evicted between the hours of 12 midnight to 6 am. The city has declared Occupy Baltimore illegal and is pressing them to agree to just two people remaining there overnight. Below is a letter from the AFL-CIO in support of the occupiers at their occupation site at McKeldin Square. The photo was taken by Photographer Bill Hughes.


“Dear Mayor Rawlings-Blake:

We have been made aware of the city of Baltimore’s intention to close
down the Occupy Baltimore site sometime in the next 24 hours. We write
to express our firm opinion that nothing be done to close down the
site and that instead, an agreement be arrived at which allows for the
confrontation of a peaceful, non-violent demonstration.

The Occupy Baltimore protests have given expression to a widely shared
belief that our economy and our politics are controlled by corporate
interests to the detriment of the overwhelming majority of working
people, including our members, their families and communities. We
share this opinion and applaud the courage and sacrifice of the Occupy
protestors. We believe these protestors should be commended for
standing up for the 99% of us, not threatened with removal.

Cities across the country – from San Diego to Little Rock,
Philadelphia and Washington DC – have worked with their local Occupy
movements to find reasonable accommodations that everyone can live
with. Surely, the city of Baltimore can find a solution that meets the
concerns of city officials and departments while allowing the
protestors to continue their democratic right to peaceful, non-violent
protest.

The Occupy Baltimore activists have made a broad call for followers to
converge on McKeldin Square in order to defend the occupation tonight.
Rather than create a confrontation, we believe it would be wise for
the city of Baltimore to act with restraint and responsibility. Rather
than remove the protestors, we call upon the city to work with
representatives of Occupy Baltimore to find a solution that can
maintain the protest location and respect the rights of our citizens.

We look forward to your quick response.

Sincerely,

Ernie Grecco, President, Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO
Glen Middleton, Executive Director, AFSCME 67
Anthony Coates, AFSCME Local 647-67
Peggy Peacock, AFSCME Local 2202-67
Ms. Johnnie Phipps, AFSCME Local 558-67
Lorretta Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, AFT
Mariette English, President, Baltimore Teachers Local 340
Brenda Clayburn, President, City Union of Balto Local 800
Steve Fugate, President, Fire Officers Local 964
Rick Hoffman, President, Fire Fighters Local 734
Jimmy Gittings, President, Public School Administrations and
Supervisors Association Local 25
Rod Easter, President, Balto Building Trades Council
Bob Cherry, President, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3“

[Tippy]

1. On new this AM...Occupy Nashville is being pushed out too

They have been told they will have to remove almost everything ...no one can spend the night they will be alowed to do bankers hours so to speak