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Alameda Labor Council Protests War In Iraq/Afghanistan and Israeli Economic Blockade Of Gaza
Alameda Labor Council Protest War In Iraq and Israeli Economic Blockade Of Gaza
Resolution Endorsing Antiwar Actions on Occasion of the
Sixth Anniversary of the Illegal Invasion of Iraq
Whereas, March 19, 2009 marks the sixth anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq by U.S. and allied forces; and
Whereas, the anniversary is an occasion for antiwar protests across the U.S. and around the world; and
Whereas, all the major antiwar coalitions and organizations, including U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW), have called for and endorsed participation in antiwar events to mark the anniversary; and
Whereas, the current economic crisis makes it even more urgent that the U.S. end its illegal occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and radically reduce the size of its military budget to make available resources needed to fund social services, job creating infrastructure projects, health care, education and other unmet needs; and
Whereas, the Bay Area Chapter of U.S. Labor Against the War, along with United for Peace and Justice, Iraq Moratorium, American Friends Service Committee, Peace Action, A.N.S.W.E.R. and many other peace and social justice organizations will conduct antiwar activities to commemorate the anniversary, including a mass march and rally on March 21 in which USLAW will sponsor a pre-march labor rally and labor contingent;
Therefore be it resolved, that the Alameda Labor Council endorses those activities sponsored or endorsed by USLAW and will encourage its affiliates to fully mobilize and participate in them; and
Be it further resolved, that this Council will help to publicize these events, mobilize union members to participate, participate in the labor rally and labor contingent, and provide speakers and monitors, if requested; and
Be it finally resolved, that the Alameda County Labor Council donate $125 to the Bay Area Chapter of USLAW to help underwrite the expenses of these events and will encourage its affiliates to make their own contributions.
Adopted by Delegates Council on February 9, 2009 as amended by Alameda County Central Labor Council Executive Board
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Resolution Demanding Immediate Opening of Border Crossings into Gaza
Whereas, the U.N. Security Council has called for “the opening of border crossings” into Gaza, in order to meet “the serious humanitarian and economic needs of the people of Gaza”; and
Whereas, there can be no relief from the humanitarian emergency in Gaza without opening all border crossings into Gaza. As the Financial Times reported, “lifting the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip is necessary for the reconstruction and relief effort; much of the territory's civilian infrastructure has been destroyed during the three-week Israeli offensive and without building materials and supplies, there is little hope of rebuilding the water, sewage and power networks, as well as private homes and key government buildings.” (source: Tobias Buck, "Israel Warns It Will Keep Gaza Crossings Closed," Financial Times, Jan. 23, 2009); and
Whereas, governments the world over, as well as international human rights organizations -- from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to Amnesty International, to major human rights organizations in Israel itself -- are calling for the immediate opening of Israel's borders to Gaza to allow the reconstruction and relief efforts to proceed; and
Whereas, the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions has appealed to the world labor movement for funds to meet the bare necessities of food and medicine for the people of Gaza;
Whereas, the Alameda County Labor Council has a long and distinguished record of international solidarity and humanitarian concern,
Therefore be it resolved, that the Alameda County Labor Council calls on the governments of Israel and Egypt to open immediately the border crossings into Gaza, and keep them open to give unimpeded access to Gaza so that urgently needed humanitarian and reconstruction assistance can be delivered to avert further pain and suffering by the people of Gaza; and
Be it further resolved, that the Alameda County Labor Council will distribute a copy of this resolution to its affiliates.
Adopted by Delegates Council on February 9, 2009 as amended by Alameda County Central Labor Council Executive Board
[A similar resolution was adopted by the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 214 in San Francisco, on February 4, 2009.]
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