NYCLAW Since 9/11
April 25, 2004
New York City Labor Against the War emerged at “Ground Zero” as the first antiwar labor body established in the U.S. after 9/11. It has been a vital antiwar pole within labor, and labor pole within the antiwar movement.
NYCLAW’s approach has been grounded in cogent, unambiguous opposition to the war; multiracial leadership;[1] participation of both union officers and rank-and-file members; broad alliances; and democratic process.[2]
This approach is reflected in NYCLAW’s founding statement (September 27, 2001), a brief, non-rhetorical, argument for why workers should oppose the war.[3] It has been endorsed by 1500 trade unionists,[4] and accompanied by an announcement listserv.[5]
Labor Antiwar Work in NYC
NYCLAW’s statement and related activities have helped galvanize affiliated labor antiwar caucuses, committees or groupings that successfully brought antiwar resolutions in such unions as 1199SEIU, AFSCME DC 37, AFSCME DC 1707, APWU, NPMHU, PSC-CUNY, TWU Local 100, UAW Region 9A,[6] and the UFT. On October 19, 2002, more than 100 trade unionists participated in a day-long NYCLAW organizing conference.[7]
NYCLAW has built alliances amongst labor, people of color and immigrants home. On December 12, 2001, 100 people attended its forum on civil liberties and immigrant rights.[8] In March and September 2002, sixteen labor bodies and 400 people participated in NYCLAW-initiated demonstrations to free immigrants detained in Brooklyn in the wake of 9/11.[9]
When official top labor officials vocally supported Israel during the Jenin massacre, NYCLAW endorsed Palestinian self-defense, statehood and the Right of Return; picketed the Israeli consul’s speech at the May 21, 2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council;[10] and hosted a December 13, 2002 forum for visiting Palestinian trade unionists.[11]
On February 2, 2004, 250 people attended a USLAW Iraq labor tour meeting sponsored by NYCLAW and other labor activists.[12]
Labor Antiwar Work in the U.S. and Beyond
From its inception, NYCLAW has encouraged and coordinated with labor antiwar organizers elsewhere.
Its founding statement was spontaneously translated into many languages[13] and became a beacon for labor antiwar efforts in the U.S. and other countries.[14] In October 2001, it helped convene an informal labor antiwar network amongst committees in the Bay Area, D.C., Albany and other cities.[15] In 2001-2002, NYCLAW members submitted antiwar resolutions to the national conventions of TWU,[16] AFT[17] and AFSCME.[18] NYCLAW’s October 2002 conference, discussed above, was the first national gathering of labor antiwar activists.
This work helped open space for the wave of labor antiwar resolutions that began to appear in Fall 2002, and for USLAW itself, in whose creation NYCLAW was intimately involved.[19]
Within USLAW, NYCLAW has sought common ground based on broad, unqualified opposition to the war, at home and abroad, rather than mandatory agreement on such issues as UN occupation (which NYCLAW strongly opposes) or electoral politics; prominent opposition to racism; alliance with G.I.s and military families; connections between the war abroad and at home; and a democratic process that ensures meaningful representation for local committees.
Many of these positions have become USLAW policy. The January 11, 2003 founding meeting adopted NYCLAW proposals for the organization’s name and unity statement.[20] The second conference, on October 25-26, 2003, adopted NYCLAW proposals to retain that name and to endorse military families’ demand to “Bring the Troops Home Now!”[21] NYCLAW continues to believe that USLAW must come to grips with the need to support Palestinian rights.
Leadership in the Antiwar Movement
NYCLAW has been a leading labor voice in leadership of the broader antiwar movement. From 9/11 on, it has cosponsored, spoken and/or coordinated labor mobilization at numerous national and international antiwar events, including mass protests on October 7, 2001 (NYC),[22] November 18, 2001 (London),[23] February 2, 2002 (NYC),[24] April 20, 2002 (DC),[25] October 26, 2002 (DC),[26] January 18, 2003 (DC),[27] February 15, 2003 (NYC),[28] Mid‑March 2003 (Invasion of Iraq-NYC),[29] March 15, 2003 (DC),[30] March 22, 2003 (NYC),[31] April 2003 (London),[32] April 29, 2003 (NYC),[33] October 25, 2003 (DC),[34] and March 20, 2004 (NYC).[35] Its representatives have spoken at forums and conferences in the U.S., UK, France and Canada.
NYCLAW has played a particularly effective role in bringing out united action between ANSWER, UFPJ and other coalitions at mass events such as those described above;[36] in UFPJ’s adoption of the demand to “Bring the Troops Home Now!”[37]–without support for UN occupation;[38] and in support of leadership of color, including that of Arab-Muslims and Palestinians.[39]
In March 2004, PSC-CUNY recognized NYCLAW’s work with its “Friend of CUNY Award.”
Notes
[1]. NYCLAW’s co-conveners are Larry Adams, former president, Mail Handlers Union Local 300; Ray Laforest, Staff Representative, AFSCME DC 1707; Michael Letwin, former president, UAW Local 2325, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys; and Brenda Stokely, president, AFSCME DC 1707.
[2]. Michael Letwin, “Year One of New York City Labor Against the War,” October 25, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1270>; Deidre Mcfadyen, “Some Union Heads Oppose ‘Bush War,’” Chief‑Leader, October 26, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/246>; “New York City Labor Against War,” Socialist Worker, November 16, 2001, <http://www.socialistworker.org/2001/384/384_11_NYCLaborOnWar.shtml>; Judith Le Blanc, “Labor takes a stand for justice, People’s Weekly World,” December 1, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/464>; Chris Kutalik and William Johnson, “Beyond Resolutions Within Unions, Anti‑War Forces Mobilize Opposition,” Labor Notes, April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1667>; Dianne Feeley, “Labor Speaks Out Against the War,” Against the Current, March‑April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1707>; “Peace and Labor‑‑Can We Work Together?,” Peace Newsletter #717, February 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1751>.
[3]. Press Advisory, October 3, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/86>.
[4]. The sixteen endorsing NYC principal union officers are: Larry Adams, Pres., National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 300; Barbara Bowen, Pres., Professional Staff Congress‑CUNY/AFT Local 2334; Arthur Cheliotes, Pres., CWA Local 1180; Raglan George Sr., Exec. Dir., AFSCME Local 215, DC 1707; Glenn Huff Jr., Pres., AFSCME Local 205, DC 1707; Uma Kutwal, Fmr. Pres., AFSCME Local 375, DC 37; Michael Letwin, Pres., Assn. of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW Local 2325; Jill Levy, Pres., Council of Supervisors & Administrators, NYSFSA, AFSA Local 1; Kim V. Medina, Pres., AFSCME Local 253; Fmr. Pres., DC 1707; Victoria Mitchell, Pres., AFSCME Local 107; VP, DC 1707; Maida Rosenstein, Pres., UAW Local 2110; Viji Sargis, Pres., AFT Local 6025, Montclair State U.; Joel Schwartz, Pres., AFSCME, Civil Service Employees Assn. Local 446; Judy Sheridan‑Gonzalez, RN, Chair., State Del. Assembly, NY State Nurses Assn.; Brenda Stokely, Pres., AFSCME DC 1707; and Jonathan Tasini, Pres., Nat’l Writers Union/UAW Local 1981. “NYC Labor Against the War ‑‑ Latest Signers,” June 19, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/files/>.
[5]. NYC Labor Against the War (NYCLAW), <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/>.
[6]. Notwithstanding UAW Region 9A’s antiwar position, Michael Letwin’s outspoken role as a NYCLAW co-convener resulted in his defeat for reelection in November 2002 after thirteen years as president of UAW Local 2325, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys. Michael Letwin, “ALAA Antiwar Vote,” April 14, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1708>.
[7]. Materials and coverage related to this conference include: Thomas Barton, “More unions pass antiwar resolutions,” Socialist Worker, October 11, 2002, <http://socialistworker.org/2002‑2/425/425_11_LaborAgainstWar.shtml>; Tim Wheeler, “Labor speaks out against Iraq war,” People’s Weekly World, October 12, 2002, <http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/2130/>; “Agenda for 10/19 NYCLAW Organizing Conference,” <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1249>; Tony Pecinovsky, “Anti‑war movement grows in labor ranks,” People’s Weekly World, October 26, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1265>; Gary Goff, “Labor and the War,” October 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1269>; “Building labor’s opposition to the war,” Socialist Worker, October 18, 2002, <http://socialistworker.org/2002‑2/426/426_11_LaborAgainstWar.shtml>; Thomas Barton, “Antiwar unionists meet in NYC,” Socialist Worker, October 25, 2002, <http://socialistworker.org/2002‑2/427/427_15_LaborAgainstWar.shtml>; “Remarks by Michael Eisenscher, Coordinator of the Labor Committee for Peace & Justice, Bay Area at New York Labor Against the War (NYCLAW) Conference,” October 19, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1294>; “Union Members Meet, March To Protest Iraq War,” Labor Notes, December 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1364>; David Moberg, “Unions Against the War, In These Times,” October 6, 2002, <http://www.inthesetimes.com/issue/27/03/feature2.shtml>; Marc Cooper, “Antiwar Labor Pains,” The Nation, November 21, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1368/>.
[8]. “NYCLAW Worker’s Forum: War on Our Rights,” <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/555>.
[9]. “Report on Labor Protests,” March 25, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/713>; Bryan Virasami, “Protesters Seek Release of Immigrant Detainees,” Newsday, June 10, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1138>.
[10]. “No Labor Money for Israeli War Crimes!,” May 21, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/999>; Laura Durkay, “New York City Labor Against War, Socialist Worker,” May 31, 2002, <http://www.socialistworker.org/2002‑1/409/409_11_LaborInBrief.shtml>.
[11]. “NYCLAW Presents Palestinian Trade Unionists,” December 12, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1328>; “Report on the PGFTU New York visit,” December 22, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1359>.
[12]. Michael Letwin and Nancy Romer, “Report on Iraq Labor Rights Tour, NYC,” February 21, 2004, <http://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/uslaw‑cc/2004‑02/msg00014.html>.
[13]. “Statement in Other Languages,” December 4, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/465>.
[14]. See, e.g., “NYCLAW Inspires Netherlands Labor,” October 27, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/264>; Dorothy Macedo, “Labour Against the War (England),” October 28, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/270>.
[15]. “Labor Antiwar Efforts in Three Cities,” October 17, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/203>.
[16]. Mark Daly, “Flyer Outrages TWU Leaders,” The Chief, Oct. 31, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/294>; Marty Goodman, “TWU Antiwar Resolution,” October 31, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/304>.
[17]. Peter Hogness, “PSC helps shape AFT policy and debate,” Clarion, September 2002, <http://www.psc‑cuny.org/Clarion_Sept_02.pdf>.
[18]. See footnote 2, above.
[19]. “NYCLAW’s January Activities,” January 1, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1394>.
[20]. “Founding of U.S. Labor Against the War,” January 13, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1428>; Al Benchich, “Labor Leaders Launch National Anti‑War Effort,” Labor Notes, February 2003, <http://labornotes.org/archives/2003/02/c.html>; Joann Wypijewski, “Workers Against War,” Counterpunch, January 17, 2003, <http://counterpunch.org/wypijewski01172003.html>; “Labor Against War,” Socialist Worker, January 17, 2003, <http://socialistworker.org/2003‑1/436/436_15_LaborInBrief.shtml>; Milt Neidenberg, “Labor organizes against the war,” January 23, 2003, <http://www.workers.org/ww/2003/laborwar0123.php>; “NYCLAW on Radio,” Building Bridges, WBAI, February 10, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1475>; Lee Sustar, “The new employers’ offensive: Labor’s war at home,” International Socialist Review, March‑April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1636>; Michael Letwin, “Growth of Labor Anti‑War Action Tied to Bush’s Anti‑Worker Moves,” Labor Notes, April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1697>.
[21]. Michael Letwin, “NYCLAW Report on October 25 Protests, USLAW,” November 17, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1915>.
[22]. “Report on October 10 NYC Labor Against the War Meeting,” October 15, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/178>; Judith Le Blanc, “As bombs drop, Americans say: ‘Not in our name,’” People’s Weekly World, October 13, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/460>.
[23]. “NYCLAW Joins 100,000 in London Against the War,” November 26, 2001, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/383>.
[24]. “Tomorrow’s Anti‑WEF Events (NYC),” February 1, 2002,
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/613>.
[25]. “a20 Coalition Statement,” April 25, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/928>; “NYCPJ Statement,” April 28, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/937>; “A Roundtable Discussion With Some of the Leaders of This Weekend’s A‑20 Mobilization,” Democracy Now, April 19, 2004, <http://www.webactive.com/pacifica/demnow/dn20020419.html>; “C‑SPAN Coverage,” April 22, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/891>; Tim Wheeler, “Speakers denounce Bush war on people,” People’s Weekly World, April 27, 2002, <http://pww.org/article/articleview/1122/1/78/>; Tim Wheeler, “100,000 demand No war at home or abroad,” People’s Weekly World, April 27, 2002, <http://pww.org/article/articleview/1083/1/78/>.
[26]. “Rally Against War in Iraq,” C-SPAN, October 26, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1275>; “New Location for Trade Union Contingent to Stop the War on Iraq–Defend Labor at Home,” October 23, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1261>; “It was time to add our voice,” Socialist Worker, November 1, 2002, <http://socialistworker.org/2002‑2/428/428_06_Protest.shtml>; “Labor Antiwar Potential,” Indypendent, October 29, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1291>; Marta Steele, “Another Children’s Crusade: The October 26 National March and Rally to Stop the War Before It Starts,” Words Unlimited, October 27, 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1375>; “The antiwar movement: A great beginning,” International Socialist Review Issue 26, November–December 2002, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1376>.
[27]. Labor at Jan. 18 DC Demo, January 21, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1435>; “NYCLAW Speech 9/18 in D.C.,” January 22, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1437>; “Half a million tell Bush . . . No to war!,” Socialist Worker, January 24, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1444>; Elizabeth Schulte, “Labor’s voice against the war on Iraq,” Socialist Worker, February 14, 2003, <http://socialistworker.org/2003‑1/440/440_05_AntiwarLabor.shtml>.
[28]. “2/12/03 NYC Labor Antiwar Press Conference,” February 14, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1488>; “Antiwar Labor at NYC Protest,” February 16, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1490>; “Report/Supplemental: Antiwar Labor at NYC Protest,” February 16, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1491>; Liza Featherstone, “Report From New York,” AlterNet, February 16, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1493>; “New York City Protests NYC Held Largest US Anti‑war Protest,” ABC News, February 15, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1517>; Tasha Robertson, “Antiwar Protesters Try New Tactics,” Boston Globe, February 24, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1518>; “NYCLAW Testimony at NY City Council,” February 26, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1556>; “Say no to Bush’s war on Iraq,” Socialist Worker, February 14, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1558>; Kristin Lawler, “Antiwar views gain strength in labor, PSC part of biggest protest in world history,” Clarion, March 2003, <http://www.psc‑cuny.org/Clarion_March_03.pdf >; “Antiwar Around the World,” Nonviolent Activist, March-April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1750>.
[29]. “NYC Labor Antiwar Press Conference,” March 19, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1623>; “Coverage of 3/20 NYC Labor Antiwar Press Conference,” March 21, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1628>.
[30]. “NYCLAW Statement at 3/15 DC Antiwar Rally,” <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1594>; “Labor Speakers at 3/15 DC Antiwar Rally,” March 17, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1595>.
[31]. Sarah Ferguson, “In Shock and Awe,” Village Voice, March 19‑25, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1632>; “A global fight against war,” International Socialist Review, March‑April 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1635>; “3/22 NYC Labor Contingent & 4/7 NYCLAW Mtg.,” March 25, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1637>; Tasha Robertson, “US activists join anti‑American boycott,” Boston Globe, April 9, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1665>; Elizabeth Schulte, Lee Wengraf and Chris Brown, “No war for oil and empire,” Socialist Worker, March 28, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1666>.
[32]. “NYCLAW Tour,” March 31, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1651>; “The alternative to Bush and Blair,” Socialist Worker, April 11, 2003, <http://socialistworker.org/2003‑1/448/448_11_Arnove.shtml>; “Americans speak out against war,” Share International, May 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1752>.
[33]. “Antiwar Labor Support For AFSCME DC 37,” April 29, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1712>.
[34]. “Natl Antiwar Demo Update,” September 1, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1837>; “ANSWER/UFPJ Joint Statement,” September 5, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1839>; “NYCLAW Fall Update,” September 16, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1846>; Michael Letwin, “NYCLAW Report on October 25 Protests, USLAW,” November 17, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1915>.
[35]. “March 20 NYC Unity Statement,” February 6, 2004, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1997>; “M20 NYC Antiwar Labor Report,” March 22, 2004, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/2020>.
[36]. “Say No to U.S. War and Occupation, Activists set out plans for the future,” Socialist Worker, June 13, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1770>.
[37]. “UFPJ/NYC Launches Troops Home Now Campaign,” July 26, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1803>; “UFPJ Natl Troops Home Now Campaign!,” July 26, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1804>; “New Stickers: ‘Bush Lies ‑ Who Dies?’”, July 29, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1809>; “New NYCLAW Antiwar Buttons,” October 11, 2003, <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/message/1881>.
[38]. Alan Maass, “The Future of the Anti‑War Movement, Opposing the Occupation,” Counterpunch, October 23, 2003, <http://www.counterpunch.org/maass10232003.html>.
[39]. NYCLAW is a signatory to “An Open Letter from the Arab‑American and Muslim Community to the US Anti‑War Movement,” January 12, 2004, <http://www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/013104openletter.html#update>.
