NYC Labor Against the War: 01.07.12 OWS Report: Support the Longview Caravan

NYC Labor Against the War
01.07.12 Occupy Wall Street Report:
Support the Longview Caravan and
Stop Union-Busting

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Just as the workers of the ILWU have stood in solidarity with Palestine, we stand with the workers of the ILWU in Longview, Oakland, and everywhere in their struggle to defend workers’ power and stop union-busting.
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Labor for Palestine:
Support the Longview Caravan and stop union-busting!

Labor for Palestine expresses its strongest solidarity with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and its workers in Longview, Washington. ILWU Local 21 in Longview is under attack by a major corporation, EGT, which is running a non-union grain terminal at the port, violating the port agreement with the ILWU, which has governed the port’s operations for over 75 years.

The ILWU’s response to this union-busting attempt has been militant and strong, and the center of solidarity from the ongoing Occupy/Decolonize movements. If the ILWU’s jurisdiction is broken at the Port of Longview, union rights are under threat at container ports up and down the West Coast.

The ILWU struggle in Longview has drawn the attention and solidarity of popular movements across the U.S. and internationally as a central struggle for workers’ rights, and ILWU Local 10 of the Port of Oakland has been at the center of that organizing.

Occupy Oakland, working in solidarity with the ILWU, mobilized 30,000 people on November 2, 2011 to shut down the Port of Oakland in explicit solidarity with the struggle of Longview workers and the longshore workers of Oakland, and ports up and down the West Coast were shut down or protested on December 12, 2011 by Occupy movements in Seattle, Portland, Oakland and elsewhere, again in response to the ILWU battle in Longview.

ILWU Local 10 has itself come under attack by the Pacific Maritime Association, pursued in court because of its strong action against the destruction of public workers’ rights to organize in Wisconsin, shutting down the ports of San Francisco and Oakland for 24 hours on April 4, 2011. Despite threats to itself, ILWU Local 10 has once again stood in the front lines with ILWU Local 21 and in defense of the rights of all workers.

The workers of Longview have faced massive repression; ILWU Local 21 has only 225 members, but 220 arrests for participating in protests at the port to defend their union’s jurisdiction. They have brought over 1,000 people to the Port of Longview in protest, and inspired the Occupy protest actions at the ports up and down the West Coast.

Workers on the West Coast, including ILWU Locals 10 and 21 and the San Francisco and Cowlitz-Wahkiakum County Labor Councils, have announced plans for a caravan to Longview to join the workers in protest when called to action (http://www.transportworkers.org/node/2101).

ILWU Local 10′s defense of their sisters and brothers in the Port of Longview reflects a long history of domestic and international solidarity.

West Coast dock-workers refused to handle cargo for Nazi Germany (1934) and fascist Italy (1935); refused shipping for apartheid South Africa in the San Francisco Bay Area (1984); and refused to load bombs for the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile (1978). ILWU workers at all twenty-nine West Coast ports held a May Day strike against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008.

On June 20, 2010, they respected a community picket by refusing to load an Israeli ZIM ship docked at the Port of Oakland. The picket came at the behest of calls from the Palestinian labor movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions and followed in the footsteps of multiple resolutions passed by ILWU Local 10 in support of Palestinian human and workers’ rights.

In the same spirit of solidarity, Labor for Palestine supports the call for the Longview Caravan. Just as the workers of the ILWU have stood in solidarity with Palestine, we stand with the workers of the ILWU in Longview, Oakland, and everywhere in their struggle to defend workers’ power and stop union-busting.

www.laborforpalestine.net - info@laborforpalestine.net

NYC Labor Against the War: 12.19.11 OWS Report: Mobilize to Defend the Egyptian Revolution

NYC Labor Against the War
12.19.11 Occupy Wall Street Report:
Urgent Appeal to Occupy and All Social Justice Movements:
Mobilize to Defend the Egyptian Revolution

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We ask Occupy and all U.S. social justice activists to join us in mobilizing to defend our Egyptian brothers and sisters by immediately organizing mass convergences on Egyptian embassies, missions, consulates, and at U.S. government offices.’
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Urgent Appeal to Occupy and All Social Justice Movements:
Mobilize to Defend the Egyptian Revolution
December 19, 2011

Endorse the statement here.

In recent days, protesters demanding civilian rule in Egypt have again been murdered, maimed and tortured by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the Interior Security Forces (ISF).

The conspiracy, being brutally implemented in Egypt, is part of a global conspiracy to suffocate mass movements for socio-economic justice and is being done with direct assistance of the American government and the private interests which direct that government. We have word from friends in Egypt that SCAF, ISF and their hired thugs — armed by ongoing shipments of $1.3 billion in weapons from the U.S. government — plan to execute one by one all the leaders of the revolution, and as many activists as they can.

Accordingly, we need to ensure that people and organizers in the US and internationally are involved in closely monitoring the events unraveling in Egypt. By keeping track of the atrocities committed by SCAF and ISF, keeping track of those detained, tortured or targeted, and continuously contacting officials in Egypt and the US to demand accountability, cessation of the atrocities and justice, we can add pressure on SCAF, ISF and the forces they represent. In this way we may be able to play a role in helping save the lives of our Egyptian brothers and sisters.

Evidence of the conspiracy to execute the leaders and participants of Egyptian freedom movement, includes in very small part the following:

• Sheikh Emad of Al Azhar was killed by a bullet entering his right side from short range. This was seen at first hand by witnesses known to members of our coalition. Sheikh Emad was one of a small number of Azhar Imams issuing decrees in support of the revolution. His murder was no accident.
• Sally Tooma, Mona Seif, Ahdaf Soueif, and Sanaa Seif, all female friends and relatives of imprisoned blogger and activist Alaa abd El Fattah, and all known internationally for their political and/or literary work, were detained, and beaten in the Cabinet building.
• A woman protesting against General Tantawi, head of SCAF, was detained and then tortured by having the letter “T” in English carved into her scalp with knives.
• Detainees are being tortured while in courtroom holding pens. Two men (Mohammad Muhiy Hussein is one of them) were killed in those pens.These are only a small number of the horror stories we are hearing. And we continue to receive reports from Cairo about a massive army presence in Tahrir Square and the constant sound of gunshots.These are only a small number of the horror stories we are hearing. And we continue to receive reports from Cairo about a massive army presence in Tahrir Square and the constant sound of gunshots.

In every way, Egypt’s fight is our fight. Just like us, Egyptians are the 99%, fighting for social, political and economic justice.

The same 1% that arms the Egyptian dictatorship commits systematic violence in this country against the Occupy movement; antiwar and solidarity activists; and Arabs, Muslims, and other communities of color.

As the US Palestinian Community Network recently observed, “the same US-made tear gas rains down on us in the streets of Oakland, Cairo and Bil`in.”

Because of Egypt’s key strategic location, the fate of its revolution echoes across the world. Its success will bring us all closer to achieving economic and social justice. But its defeat would be a major blow to social justice movements everywhere, including Occupy.

In short, Egypt is key to the continued success of the Arab Revolution, and movements she has inspired.

For all these reasons, we ask Occupy and all U.S. social justice activists to join us in mobilizing to defend our Egyptian brothers and sisters by immediately organizing mass convergences on Egyptian embassies, missions, consulates, and at U.S. government offices, to demand:

• Cancel all US aid and shipment of military and police materiel to Egypt!
• Stop the murders, tortures and detentions!
• Release all detainees and political prisoners!
• Immediate end to military rule in Egypt!

Issued by (list in formation):

Ad Hoc Coalition to Defend the Egyptian Revolution
Al-Awda NY: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
Egyptian Association for Change- NY
Existence is Resistance
International Socialist Organization
Jan25 Solidarity for Democracy Network
New York City Labor Against the War
Labor for Palestine
Raha Iranian Feminist Collective
Siegebusters Working Group
6 of April Youth Movement America
Socialist Action
United National Antiwar Coalition
US Palestinian Community Network

Please endorse and circulate this appeal widely. Please send statements with these demands to the bodies listed below*

www.defendegyptianrevolution.org and defendegyptianrevolution@gmail.com

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

TUESDAY

Call/write-in to Egyptian government.

Ministry of Defense
Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Soliman
Phone: 01120222916227
Fax: +(20) 2 2 5748 822 (+20) 22 291 6227
E-mail: mod@idsc.gov.eg
Website: http://www.mmc.gov.eg

Dr.Kamal El Ganzory, Prime Minister
Phone: +202-2793-5000
Fax: +202-2795-8048
E-mail: pm@cabinet.gov.eg
Website: http://www.cabinet.gov.eg/Cabinet/Prime_Minister.aspx

WEDNESDAY

2:00pm until 7:00pm
Protest against SCAF in NYC
Egyptian consulate, 1110 2nd Ave # 201 New York, NY 10022-2093
https://www.facebook.com/events/260847190641653/

NYC Labor Against the War: 12.18.11 OWS Report: Egypt: Urgent Call for Global Solidarity

NYC Labor Against the War
12.18.11 Occupy Wall Street Report:
Egypt: Urgent Call for Global Solidarity

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‘Please mobilise urgently to demand that Egypt’s military rulers immediately stop attacking protesters. Call on governments worldwide, and especially the Mubarak regime’s main backers, the USA, UK and other western states, halt arms sales to Egypt and end their financial and material support for the repressive apparatus of the Egyptian regime.’
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Egypt: Call for global solidarity after 16 Dec army attack on protesters
Posted on December 18, 2011

Protesters against military rule in Egypt have appealed for global demonstrations against the latest brutal assault led by the Egyptian army on the sit-ins at the Cabinet Offices and Tahrir Square in Cairo on 16 December 2011.

By 18 December 10 people had been killed and hundreds injured in the attack. Solidarity protests were beginning to spread across Egypt and worldwide in response.

Please mobilise urgently to demand that Egypt’s military rulers immediately stop attacking protesters. Call on governments worldwide, and especially the Mubarak regime’s main backers, the USA, UK and other western states, halt arms sales to Egypt and end their financial and material support for the repressive apparatus of the Egyptian regime.

What you can do:

1. Organise or join protests outside Egyptian embassies worldwide. See below for details of global solidarity action. Send reports and pictures of protests to menasolidarity@gmail.com or post on facebook here: www.facebook.com/mena.solidarity

2. Organise a solidarity statement and collect signatures. Send or deliver to the Egyptian embassy in your country and send copies to menasolidarity@gmail.com or post on facebook here: www.facebook.com/mena.solidarity

3. Share and translate reports of the military attack on the protesters to help counter the lies being put out by Egyptian state media. Follow @3arabawy on Twitter and see Ahram Online’s website for detailed coverage.

Global solidarity actions for protesters against military rule in Egypt
Latest update: 18 December 5pm

UK
Protest at the Egyptian Embassy, London
Saturday 17 December 4-7pm
Picture here:http://yfrog.com/oc21zlaj
Protests are continuing daily 4-7pm

Ireland
Protest at the Egyptian Embassy, Clyde Rd, Dublin
Monday 19 December, 5-6 pm
supported by Irish Anti War Movement

Canada

Toronto protest against military rule in Egypt

Monday, December 19 at 5pm, Yonge Dundas Square

200 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B1Y7

http://menasolidaritynetwork.com/2011/12/18/occupycabinetsolidarity/

NYC Labor Against the War: 12.3.11 OWS Report: Stop Militarization of Our Communities

NYC Labor Against the War
12.3.11 Occupy Wall Street Report:
Stop Militarization of Our Communities

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‘We will not allow corporations to profit off the brutality against our people in the US or abroad! Egyptian revolutionaries have asked for the movements in the US to shutdown the manufacturing and shipment of weapons and we heed their call in solidarity. We are calling for a targeted campaign against the corporations that profit off the use of these chemical weapons.’
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Labor for Palestine and New York City Labor Against the War are endorsers of this statement, which was initiated by multiple organizations in Northern California and the Bay Area. To endorse, email: bay2egypt@gmail.com.

Stop Militarization of Our Communities in the US and Abroad!
November 30, 2011

As 2011 gives way to 2012, people’s movements for justice are met with unprecedented global militarization. From Oakland to Egypt, people are demanding democracy and an equitable distribution of wealth while attacked with tear gas and pepper spray, rubber bullets and live ammunition. We have become all too familiar with the recent images of the words “Made in the USA” on tear gas canisters used against Egyptians, thousands of whom have been injured and scores killed. Others have experienced firsthand the brutality of these weapons used against the decolonize/occupy movements in the US. Tear gas, however, is but one manifestation of this assault.

Militarization is not new. Police brutality is not a recent phenomenon. Communities of color and poor communities have long faced the violence of systems of power. Police brutality, racial profiling, surveillance of communities, control of media and communication, and attacks on immigrants in the US are all connected to the global militarization we are seeing in Egypt and other places where people are fighting for their freedom. What we are witnessing today is an illumination of these acts of violence as thousands stand together in defiance of such assaults.

We echo this resolve. We will not allow corporations to profit off the brutality against our people in the US or abroad! Egyptian revolutionaries have asked for the movements in the US to shutdown the manufacturing and shipment of weapons and we heed their call in solidarity. We are calling for a targeted campaign against the corporations that profit off the use of these chemical weapons. These corporations have paved the way for a systemic attack against movements for justice.

We must also hold our government accountable for their hand in repression abroad and demand they stop military aid to Egypt. We will not allow our tax dollars to be used in supporting corporations and dictators that profit from and facilitate state violence against our people in the US and abroad!

Endorsed By:

Ad-Hoc Coalition to Defend the Egyptian Revolution
Al-Awda, SF — Palestine Right of Return Coalition
ANSWER — Act Now to Stop the War and End Racism
AROC — Arab Resource and Organizing Center
IJAN — International Jewish Antizionist Network
ISO — International Socialist Organization
LFP — Labor for Palestine
NYCLAW — New York City Labor Against War
SJP — Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Davis
Syrian American Council, Bay Area
USPCN — US Palestine Community Network
War Resisters League, New York

NYC Labor Against the War: 11.29 OWS Report: We Are All Egypt and Palestine

NYC Labor Against the War
11.29 Occupy Wall Street Report:
We Are All Egypt and Palestine

Solidarity, Renewal, and Struggle: Revolution Until Liberation
US Palestinian Community Network November 29, 2011

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‘We salute our comrades in the 99% Movement who have held Kuffiyeh Days, built Intifada Tents, and occupied the occupiers of Birthright Israel and the Boston Israeli Consulate — such examples hold brilliant promise for future solidarity as the same US-made tear gas rains down on us in the streets of Oakland, Cairo and Bil`in.’
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Dear friends and supporters of the Palestinian people in the U.S. and around the globe,

On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the US Palestinian Community Network marks 64 years since the partition of Palestine — 64 years of ongoing resistance, steadfastness and continuing commitment to free our land and our people. Today, we are in a time of revolution, and increasing global solidarity with our cause.

We are nearing the end of what has been a momentous year for the Palestinian people and the Arab nation. 2011 is almost over, but revolution continues throughout the Arab world. From Tunisia and Egypt to Bahrain and Yemen, the Arab revolutions are evolving in their own ways, demonstrating that the Arab people’s resolve against political despotism remains strong.

The Arab people recognize that the strategic enemies of justice and peace include puppet Arab regimes alongside Israel and its continued colonization and occupation of Palestine. The treachery of the puppet Arab regimes that are all too willing to suppress their own people while at times feigning support for Palestine is glaringly obvious.

It is equally clear that the United States cares nothing for the freedom and self-determination of Arabs, as is apparent in its massive military, economic and political support for Israel, threats of war and assassination throughout Arab countries, and its complete disregard for the movements of the Bahraini, Yemeni and Saudi people against their dictatorial regimes.

U.S. intervention, threats, and military and political maneuvers are a threat to Arab freedom and liberation — not a support. Despite attempts to co-opt the Arab revolutions and protect the status quo, however, there is no doubt that the Arab peoples will continue to demand freedom, equality, and unfettered self-determination until the last dictator is deposed and the Arab people can stand united against occupation, Zionism and all forms of globalization and exploitation.

Among all people in the region, Palestinians understand this historical moment to indicate that the Arab street rejects the status quo and seeks to create a future that is filled with hope and opportunity rather than despair and repression. Having in many ways inspired the 99% Movement in the United States, the proverbial Arab Spring is an unequivocal rejection of the puppet Arab regimes that are physical manifestations of the power abused by the world’s imperial powers.

The 99% Movement must recognize its ongoing connection to and draw inspiration from the continuing Arab revolutions. The same corporate greed against which the 99% has mobilized has worked to sustain Arab dictators that prioritize money over their people’s dignity and freedom.

Furthermore, Palestine is part of the 99% of the world, and the 99% Movement should also stand together with Palestinians to confront unfettered empire, settler colonialism, military and war profiteering. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity, we encourage all cities and “occupations” in the 99% Movement to hold rallies, teach-ins, film screenings, and discussions about Palestine — and how to build our mutual solidarity as part of a global resistance to corporate power and imperial domination.

We salute our comrades in the 99% Movement who have held Kuffiyeh Days, built Intifada Tents, and occupied the occupiers of Birthright Israel and the Boston Israeli Consulate — such examples hold brilliant promise for future solidarity as the same US-made tear gas rains down on us in the streets of Oakland, Cairo and Bil`in.

As Egypt continues its revolution in the face of increased repression, we are reminded that the revolution is not comprised of a single action or a series of protests. Rather, revolution is a mindset, an ongoing quest to disturb the status quo and promote freedom, equality, and self-determination through fair and representative self-government.

Throughout this year, the Arab masses have demonstrated that they are the only genuine force that can bring justice, peace, and stability. We stand with the people of Egypt in their struggle to continue the revolution, confront military rule, and build a liberated Egypt that can reclaim its rightful role as a true leader of the Arab people.

At this critical juncture, we must also be wary about those forces that wish to divide us and use Arab or Palestinian institutions or official bodies to undermine and co-opt the Arab revolutions. However, we have strong faith in the Arab masses who are fully aware of their capacity to affect change without foreign intervention or interference. We also recognize and renounce attempts by the United States to treat Palestine as if it is a separate issue, totally disconnected from the popular uprisings that have gripped the Arab world.

On the contrary, the Palestinian revolution is now — as it has always been — central to the Arab revolution and the achievement of true liberation. On this day of solidarity, USPCN reiterates that we will realize Palestine’s liberation through mass mobilization, revolution, political unity, and institution building, not through “peace processes” that prioritize colonial expansion over indigenous people’s rights.

As the forces in solidarity with the Palestinians continue to increase in size and strength, we remember those — Palestinian and others — who have given their lives for Palestine’s sake, and hold close to our hearts those that remain imprisoned behind the bars of settler-colonialism and apartheid. In this time of revolution, we call on all Palestinians, Arabs, and solidarity activists alike to renew their spirit and continue to struggle for Palestine’s liberation.

http://uspcn.org/