[Marxism] Million Worker March: Jesse Jackson to speak, AFL-CIO "Clarifies" it's position

[Jon Flanders <jonathan.flanders@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Million Worker March to Voice Labor Movement Concerns

by Rebecca Trela

Americans are expected to gather at the Lincoln Memorial Oct. 17 for the
Million Worker March, mobilizing union workers and anti-war
demonstrators in a show of election-related concerns.


Sept 16, 2004 (AXcess News) Washington - Thousands of Americans are
expected to gather at the Lincoln Memorial Oct. 17 for the Million
Worker March, mobilizing union workers and anti-war demonstrators in a
show of election-related concerns.

"We see the Million Worker March as an integral part of putting this
country back on the right track,"said Chris Silvera, president of the
National Black Teamsters Caucus, at a news conference Thursday.

March organizers cited universal health care, pension plans, the future
of Social Security and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq as key issues
to set before legislators.

Sponsors of the march include the National Education Association; the
Green Party; the Teamsters National Black Caucus; the International
Longshore and Warehouse Union; the American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees; the American Postal Workers Union; and Rep.
Barbara Lee, D-Calif.

Recently, AFL-CIO Field Mobilization Director Marilyn C. Sneiderman was
criticized by some union workers for public remarks discouraging union
members from attending the march.

A spokeswoman for the labor union coalition, however, attempted on
Thursday to clarify its position:

"We've never said that we're against the march," said Lane Windham.
"Certainly we support the goals, but we don't think this is the right
time. We think that all the labor movement’s efforts should be going
into battleground states." Windham suggested a Washington event after
the election.

March organizers estimated on their permit application that the march
would draw 100,000 demonstrators, according to Warren Suyderhoud of the
National Park Service permit department.

March Co-Chair Clarence Thomas, a Longshore and Warehouse Union
official, said he hopes to achieve that number.

"We're not saying that there will be a million people there, but a
million people will be represented," he said.

Thomas indicated that, although some unions involved in the march have
endorsed candidates for the election, the march organization has
remained neutral to host an all-inclusive event.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. E. Randall Osburn of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference will speak. The event will also include
special interest and advocacy group tents on the Mall.

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire


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