WHEREAS:

The United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and assembly and freedom from unlawful search and seizure; and

WHEREAS:

The union and civil rights movements have fought long and hard to retain and extend these basic rights; and

WHEREAS:

Five members of the International Longshoremen's Union were arrested and railroaded for peacefully exercising their rights; and

WHEREAS:

All union members and workers, documented or undocumented, attempting to organize into unions or exercise their legal rights through picketing, demonstrations, strikes and meetings will be potential targets of infiltration and arrest; and

WHEREAS:

The present Administration has decided to infringe upon these rights in the name of "national security."

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME, a union built out of the combined struggle of the civil rights and labor movements, take leadership in opposing the recent decision by the Attorney General to grant wider powers to the FBI to infiltrate community and immigrant rights groups, religious organizations, women's groups and unions in the name of preventing further terrorist attacks; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME take leadership in demanding that Congress and the White House disavow and reverse any practices or policies which threaten trade union rights or civil liberties.

SUBMITTED BY:

Steve Edwards, President and Delegate
Diane Stokes, Vice President and Delegate
Pete Anderson, Secretary
Mike Bernard, Treasurer
Lillie Jones, Executive Board Member and Delegate
Miguel Mora, Steward and Delegate
Mary Bennett, Executive Board Member
AFSCME Local 2858, Council 31
Illinois