Labor opposition to Iraq War growing (look at the banner in the photo)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_2869

Labor opposition to Iraq War growing

Labor opposition to Iraq War growing
By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota editor
28 January 2007
WASHINGTON - Thousands of union members joined the massive anti-war demonstration Saturday and numerous labor leaders are speaking out against the proposed troop "surge," as opposition to the Iraq War builds in the labor movement.

From the start, union members were a significant part of the public that opposed President George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq. Since the start of the conflict, the U.S. Labor Against the War coalition has coordinated efforts among unions, labor councils and individual members to call for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

But recent events have triggered a new level of activism. First, like many Americans, union members voted in the November elections to turn out the Republican majority in Congress and defeat elected officials who supported the war.

Bush's recent proposal to escalate U.S. involvement by sending 22,000 more troops to Iraq has galvanized opposition even further. In recent weeks, national union leaders such as AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee and NEA President Reg Weaver have spoken out to condemn the plan.

"Rather than heed the will of American citizens, or listen to military leaders speaking out against the current policy in Iraq, the President is choosing to make one last attempt to salvage his own legacy by putting in harm's way more young American soldiers," Sweeney said.

"We are spreading violence in Iraq, not democracy," said McEntee. "This ill-conceived war of choice has cost the lives of more than 3,000 American soldiers and countless billions in U.S. treasure. We could have solved the American health care crisis for what this war has cost us.

"The time has long passed to bring our troops home. This decision by the president is the very definition of misguided leadership."

Said Weaver: "NEA, representing 3.2 million educators across the nation, believes Congress and the President should work toward an appropriate exit strategy to bring U. S. troops home from Iraq. In addition, we believe that Congress and the President should ensure that veterans returning from the war have adequate support systems, including employment and educational opportunities and health care."



Union members marched Saturday in an anti-war demonstration in San Francisco, held in solidarity with the larger rally at the U.S. Capitol.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Labor Against the War


At Saturday's rally, Maryland AFL-CIO President Fred Mason addressed the crowd, estimated at nearly one-half million, who filled the mall in front of the U.S. Capitol. He spoke on behalf of U.S. Labor Against the War and AFL-CIO President Sweeney.

"Today thousands of union members from all over the country have joined with others to urge our legislators to demonstrate resolve and responsibility and resist the bullying of President Bush," Mason said.

"The American people, most of whom are working men and women, do not want a 'surge' in the violence and deadly risk to their loved ones, associated with the President's approach to Iraq.

"Our democracy provides us the opportunity to express the peoples' will in electoral processes. However, when there are questions as to whether those elected are heeding the people's will, we have a responsibility to speak with a louder voice and we do that in the streets and communities of America.

"We call on our national leaders to stop funding efforts directed towards war, death and destruction, and redirect those resources to building America: providing for the safe and healthy return of our troops to an America where the dream of upward economic mobility and social equality is a reality.

"End the War -- Bring Our Troops Home!"

For more on U.S. Labor Against the War, visit their website, www.uslaboragainstwar.org

[NYC]

1. NYCLAW has been marching for a long time.

New York City Labor Against War.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/