Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
Stop Police Repression at the Docks
Solidarity Message from the ILC
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We have been informed in great detail by Brothers Alan Benjamin and Ed
Rosario of the OWC Continuations Committee about the shameful -- yet not
altogether unexpected -- police violence against both the ILWU members and
the peaceful antiwar protesters on the Oakland docks this past April 7th.
We in the International Liaison Committee (ILC) have informed our
correspondents and supporters around the world of these events and join
you in demanding a full investigation into this police violence, with
those responsible removed from their posts and brought to justice. It is
very fortunate that no one was killed or severely injured by this para-military
operation against the workers and antiwar activists.
The fact the police came in riot gear and that, without provocation, they
fired dangerous weaponry at close range at the demonstrators and longshore
workers indicates this was a premeditated act aimed at silencing all forms
of protest against the heinous war unleashed by the United States
government against the people of Iraq. We should not be surprised if a
full and unfettered investigation -- which is an absolute necessity --
were to uncover the role of the shipping companies, the Homeland Security
office and John Ashcroft himself in masterminding and carrying out this
military-style police action against U.S. citizens.
Working people across the globe have rejected this criminal U.S.-led war
on Iraq. Everywhere, by the millions, workers and students have demanded
an end to this terrorist war and the immediate repatriation of all foreign
troops to their countries of origin.
At the same time, working people the world over have been encouraged by
the mass antiwar demonstrations across the United States -- which have
shown that millions upon millions of working people and students in the
United States do not support this bloody war. We also have been extremely
heartened by the formation of U.S. Labor Against War and the growing role
played by the U.S. trade union movement in opposing the U.S.-led war on
Iraq.
The ILC was at the side of the ILWU in its battle last year against
union-busting and Taft-Hartley. We are again at your side against the
police violence against your members.
Please relay our solidarity to all sisters and brothers of ILWU Local 10
and to all the activists who on April 7th protested this war for oil and
empire.
In solidarity,
Daniel Gluckstein
Coordinator,
International Liaison Committee
for a Workers' International (ILC)