Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
(Reprinted from US Labor Against War/USLAW listserve)
The following resolution was adopted Saturday, March 20 by delegates to
the annual convention of the California Federation of Teachers without
dissent.
Oppose AFL-CIO Acceptance of National Endowment for Democracy Funds
Whereas the AFL-CIO and unions generally in the U.S. are deeply
committed to the concept of solidarity with labor movements in other
countries, and
Whereas the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has served as a front
for U.S. government foreign policy objectives, including acting in the
past as a front for U.S. government intelligence operations and subversive
interference in the internal affairs of the labor movements of other
countries, and
Whereas the AFL-CIO leadership, through the Federation's Solidarity
Center, has announced its intentions to apply for $3 to 5 millions in
funding from the NED for its operations in Iraq, and
Whereas the conventions of the International Labor Organization guarantee
workers of every country the right to choose to be represented by the
labor organization or union of their own choosing, free from government,
corporate or foreign interfererence or constraints, and
Whereas AFL-CIO acceptance of NED funding for its solidarity work in Iraq
would have the appearance, if not the effect, of interfering in the
internal affairs of the Iraqi labor movement in furtherance of U.S.
government foreign policy objectives,
Therefore be it resolved that the California Federation of Teachers affirm
its support for the principles of autonomy, independence and
self-determination embodied in the International Conventions of the
International Labor Organization, and
Be it further resolved that the CFT oppose the AFL-CIO and its Solidarity
Center seeking or accepting funding from the U.S. government, its agencies
and any other institutions which it funds such as the NED for its work in
Iraq or elsewhere, and
Be it further resolved, that CFT urge the AFL-CIO to fund its
international programs and activities from funds generated directly by its
affiliates and their members, and
Be it finally resolved, that CFT communicate this resolution and its
sentiments to the California Federation of Labor, the American Federation
of Teachers, the AFL-CIO leadership and all CFT affiliates and in such
other ways as furthers the purpose and intent of this resolution.
*********************
Initial Report in Mainstream Press on March 20 Antiwar Demonstrations
[Ed. Note: The following report from the New York Times
gives some sense of the massive antiwar demonstrations that took place
across the United States and around the world on March 20th. The numbers
of antiwar protesters listed in this article are far lower than the
numbers provided by the protest organizers -- which is typical. In San
Francisco, for example, the New York Times reports that
"thousands" took to the streets. According to the protest
organizers, the S.F. action drew more than 50,000 -- a number confirmed by
many seasoned veteran march organizers interviewed by this writer. The
figure of 100,000 protesters in New York was also confirmed by independent
union organizers. As independent reports come in with more accurate
figures and descriptions, these will be forwarded to our OWC email list.
-- Alan Benjamin]
Thousands Take to the Streets in Global Antiwar Demonstration
March 20, 2004 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:57 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) -- Hundreds of thousands of people around the world rallied
against the U.S. presence in Iraq on the first anniversary of the war
Saturday, in protests that retained the anger, if not the size, of
demonstrations held before the invasion began.
Protesters filled more than a dozen police-lined blocks in Manhattan,
calling on President Bush to bring home U.S. troops serving in Iraq. Mayor
Michael Bloomberg estimated the crowd at about 30,000, but organizers said
later that number had grown to more than 100,000.
``It is time to bring our children home and declare this war was
unnecessary,'' said the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, a New York activist
addressing a rally in Manhattan.
The roughly 250 anti-war protests scheduled around the country by United
for Peace and Justice ranged from solemn to brash.
In Montpelier, Vt., hundreds of silent protesters placed a pair of shoes
on the Statehouse steps for each of the more than 560 U.S. soldiers killed
in the war. In Los Angeles, one of about 2,000 protesters held photographs
of Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney with the words, ``forget Janet
Jackson's -- expose the real boobs.''
Around the world, hundreds of thousands raised their voices in rallies
from Spain to Egypt to the Philippines.
Organizers estimated up to 2 million people demonstrated in Rome, and
100,000 in London, but police in those cities gave estimates of 250,000
and 25,000, respectively.
Anti-war activists jammed the streets of central Rome, many of them decked
out in rainbow-colored peace flags and chanting ``assassins.'' Protesters
demanded that the Italian government, a strong supporter of the war,
withdraw its 2,600 troops from Iraq.
Paolo Quadrardi, 42, a mechanic, said the Madrid train bombings that
killed 202 people March 11 showed that ``war doesn't do anything but
increase terrorism.''
No crowd estimate was immediately available for Madrid's protest, although
about 150,000 demonstrated in Barcelona. But the numbers paled in
comparison to the millions that packed streets all over Spain after the
train bombings.
The rallies coincided with the anniversary of the first bombings in
Baghdad last year. Although President Bush ordered the attacks on March
19, the time difference made it March 20 in Iraq.
While turnout was high in some nations, the protests were all far smaller
than the enormous demonstrations held around the world shortly before the
war began.
A New York protest a year ago drew more than 125,000 by official
estimates. Although that's similar to organizers' estimate Saturday,
organizers for last year's event estimated the crowd at more than 250,000.
This event was peaceful, unlike last year's rally, which produced several
clashes between demonstrators and police.
New York police in riot gear walked calmly past barricades marking off the
demonstration area on Madison Avenue as speakers mounted a stage to
address the crowd on a sunny afternoon.
Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly stopped by the rally, but
didn't speak to demonstrators or participate.
Chicago police in full riot gear lined downtown streets as thousands of
war opponents marched about two miles to the city's Federal Plaza.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson told the Chicago demonstrators to express their
opposition to the war by voting against Bush. ``It's time to fight back:
Remember in November,'' he said.
In Cincinnati, several hundred people gathered in a downtown park to call
for a U.S. troop withdrawal. Claire Mugavin, clad in a biohazard suit,
pretended to look for weapons of mass destruction beneath benches and
garbage cans.
``We figure they're not in Iraq,'' said the 24-year-old Cincinnati
resident. ``So we figured we'd come look for them in Fountain Square.''
Thousands marched from Seattle's First Hill neighborhood to the
waterfront, including Alberto Salazar, whose 20-year-old son, a Marine,
served in Iraq.
``I feel angry that we have gone this far,'' Salazar said. ``I feel
hopeful people are waking up and seeing the truth of this whole matter.''
In San Francisco, thousands of taiko drummers, cyclists, activists and
other protesters chanted ``End the occupation'' and ``Impeach Bush.''
Richard Penrose, 77, and his wife boarded an early bus from Sacramento to
join the rally.
``I don't know if Bush is going to hear the message, but we're hoping the
people of the United States hear it. Because people should have their
power back,'' Penrose said.
Several thousand people turned out in Denver and several hundred marched
in Atlanta and Albuquerque, N.M.
An anti-war rally and march in Augusta, Maine, drew an estimated 1,000 or
more participants, as well as a smaller but enthusiastic band of
counter-demonstrators. ``We're here so the troops know we support them,''
said Erica Nawfel, 27, of Waterville.
Elsewhere around the world, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and other
European countries saw protests, while demonstrations took place earlier
in Japan, Australia and India. About 500 protesters clashed with police
outside the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines capital, Manila. No injuries
were reported.
Demonstrators in Cairo -- vastly outnumbered by riot police -- burned an
American flag. Hundreds of people gathered in other Middle Eastern
capitals to denounce the war.