Labor Unions Join Congresswomen Bush, Tlaib in Calls for Ceasefire
WATCH: Growing coalition of national and local labor unions join calls for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Israel
Washington, D.C. (Dec. 15, 2023) —Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), André Carson (IN-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) joined national and local labor union leaders and members, including President of the United Auto Workers Shawn Fain, who are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
“As an activist, organizer, and the proud daughter of a former union meat cutter, I know that the foundational message of every union is to stand with people, to fight for their dignity, and to advocate for those most marginalized,” said Congresswoman Bush. “The union members and leaders here today are part of a growing coalition of national and local unions standing up and calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, because they know that their advocacy for the rights of workers and people are without limitations, without boundaries, and without borders.”
“I’m a proud daughter of a UAW worker, and I know my Yaba (father), if he was here, he would be so proud to see his union calling for a ceasefire,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “The UAW taught him he deserved human dignity, even though he only had a fourth-grade education, even though he was Palestinian, even though he was Muslim. On that assembly line, he was equal to every single human being on that line. Who did that for him? The United Auto Workers did that for him.”
“I thank our UAW members for speaking out and pushing us to come out in support of a ceasefire. It was the right thing to do,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “So now it’s time for the rest of our elected leaders to step up and do what it takes to end the violence. And, I call on the rest of the labor movement to join us in this mission for peace and social justice for all of humanity.”
Watch the full recording of the press conference HERE.
The union leaders who spoke at the press conference, include:
- Shawn Fain, United Auto Workers President
- Brandon Mancilla, United Auto Workers Regional Director
- Gene Bruskin, National Labor Network for a Ceasefire
- Janvi Madhani, United Electrical Workers
- Judy Beard, American Postal Workers Union
- Chelsea Bland, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)
Congresswoman Bush has remained a steadfast advocate for peace and a lasting ceasefire. On December 7th, Congresswomen Bush, Tlaib, and Omar hosted a press conference with doctors calling for a ceasefire. On November 13, Congresswoman Bush joined Congresswoman Tlaib and several other members of Congress in a press conference with rabbis calling for a ceasefire. On November 9, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Congresswomen Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and Summer Lee (PA-12), hosted a press conference with veterans calling for a ceasefire.
On October 16, Congresswomen Bush, Ramirez, and Lee, alongside Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Congressman André Carson (IN-07), introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, promptly send humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and save as many lives as possible. Currently, this resolution has a total of 18 co-sponsors, and over 60 members of Congress have come out to call for a ceasefire.
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