Statement for Detroit Labor Committee for Peace & Justice

Statement for Detroit Labor Committee for Peace & Justice

We are labor union members, officers, stewards and/or retirees. We are opposed to the aggressive military policy our government is waging in response to September 11.

We condemn the horrific terrorist attack on September 11. Yet, the war in Afghanistan has brought further suffering to already impoverished innocent civilians. We therefore oppose the expansion of the War on Terror to include military action in Iraq, the Philippines or any other country. We oppose our government‚s military, economic and political role in supporting Israel‚s attacks on the Palestinian people.

We also do not wish any harm to come to American troops, the majority of whom are workers. The interests of working people are not served by war. The current foreign policy of our government has more to do with expanding US military presence and protecting corporate interests. And the current domestic policy sweeps the urgent needs of working and poor people under the rug, while enriching defense contractors and big business generally.

For this reason we oppose draining essential public programs as education, health care and the social security trust for a massive giveaway of tax dollars to wealthy corporations under the guise of national security and economic stimulus. Stimulating the economy and combating unemployment must happen through a program of public works, including the construction of schools, hospitals and a national rail system. The problems of poverty, unemployment, and social injustice in cities like Detroit must be addressed in any economic stimulus program.

We oppose the Patriot Act which is curtailing our civil liberties. We also oppose the disgraceful roundup and imprisonment of Arab Americans in Michigan and throughout the country.

We demand that all workers be allowed to join a union. We will support solidarity amongst all workers in the US (including illegal immigrants working to make a living) and workers in other countries.

We believe in peace and social justice.

Therefore, the undersigned workers commit to: *OPPOSING THE WAR. Instead, we call for global social and economic justice.

*OPPOSING ECONOMIC AID FOR THE CORPORATIONS. The government must stimulate the economy by addressing the needs of all workers and unemployed. We will fight to raise living standards for all workers.

*OPPOSING RACISM AND THE ATTACK ON CIVIL LIBERTIES. Racial profiling, legal restrictions against people of color and immigrants must stop. Our democratic rights to make a living must be defended.

Statement initiated by the Detroit Labor Committee for Peace & Justice

Al Benchich, President, UAW Local 909

Julia & John Brabenec, Detroit Typographical Union # 18 William Brabanec, DTU #18/CWA 14503

Tom Brown, UAW Local 600

Les Caulford, President, USWA Local 1900

Neil Chacker, retiree, UAW Local 1700

Al Cholger, PACE staff

Emily Citkowski, TDU

Congressman John Conyers, former member, UAW Local 900 Hemant Damle, TDU

Kate DeSmet, former officer, Local 22, Detroit Newspaper Guild Jeff Ditz, UAW Local 2200

Emily Everett, Newspaper Guild

Edith Faller, ACOSS

Nick Faller, retiree, GCIU Local 13

Dianne Feeley, UAW Local 235

Paul Felton, Editor and Steward, 480-481 Area Local APWU Alan Forsyth, The Newspaper Guild

Robert M. Frumkin, retiree, MFT

Marisela Garcia, UAW Local 2200

Martha Gruelle, CWA

Margaret Guttshall, National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981 Ron Halstead, Council Member, UAW Local 6000 Elena Herrada, RWDSU Local 1064

Committee for the Political Resurrection of Detroit (CPR) Alex Hogan, National Substitute Teachers Alliance Kim Hunter, former member NABET

Barbara Ingalls, DTU Local 18

Freddie Jenkins, Steward, RWDSU Local 1064 John Joslin, IBEW

Mille Kenyon, Secretary, RWDSU Local 1064 Marion Kramer, President, National Welfare Rights Union Chris Kutalik, The Newspaper Guild