Several Minnesota Labor Unions have called for a general strike on Friday January 23rd, in protest of ICE brutality in their communities. Quoting the MinneapolisUnions.org press release:
The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO along with regional bodies throughout the state, including the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation, the West Area Labor Council, the North East Area Labor Council and the East Central Labor Council, have joined in solidarity to endorse a powerful unified statewide action on January 23: Day of Truth and Freedom. The Minnesota labor movement is united against the violent ICE occupation of our beloved cities that has directly impacted union members, our workplaces and our families.
Workers are essential for our communities to function. Since the ICE campaign of terror began, both immigrant and non-immigrant workers have feared for their safety when going to work, being at work, and coming home from work. Union members and our families are being illegally detained at alarming rates, with workplaces and schools facing increased challenges.
LeftVoice.org has more:
The measure, labeled by organizers “A day of Truth and Freedom,” was announced at a press conference on January 13 by Auxiliary Minister JaNaé Bates Imari. “There are lies being spewed about our neighbors” JaNaé said, “to try to validate why we have thousands of masked officers here, harming our people and harming us, taking our citizens from where they work, beating people up and dropping them at random locations. This is not rumor. We’re seeing it with our own eyes every single day.”
Commentary: I agree with DKos user JoeNash that the time for a general strike is now. For almost a year our friends overseas have been wondering when the Americans will “do something” about America apparently becoming the Fourth Reich. This general strike in Minnesota is a good start.
You might note that the national media hasn’t picked up this story. I heard about it from my wife, who found out via social media. The fact is that the national media have been cowed and it’s up to us to broadcast this story. If you’re not part of a Minnesota union then you can still help this strike to do its work by spreading the message — blogging, texting, facebooking, etc. That will at least help Minnesota.
As for the rest of the country? Well, the national unions still have a ways to go, apparently, before they’re ready to call for the Big Strike. Hopefully, Minnesota will encourage them.
