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Madison Solidarity Statements

By VVAW

In the wake of the threat posed to what remains of labor rights in Wisconsin, and the public's powerful response, two Iraqi labor leaders, Hassan Jum'a and Faleh Abood, penned solidarity statements in late February on behalf of the 26,000 member strong Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, and the 15,000 member Worker's Front Against War and Occupation, respectively. Two of Iraq's most prominent labor organizers, both Mr. Jum'a and Mr. Abood were served with charges June of last year, in the Iraqi government's attempts to stifle their activity. As movements against repression continue to spread in the Middle East, including in Iraq, and austerity clamps down on the US, finding ways to build bridges and create concrete solidarity becomes more and more vital.

—War Resisters League

VVAW led the way in a solidarity march in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 19th, Utah. Vietnam vet Lewis Downey (left) holds the banner as Larry Chadwick shoots the bull with Ron Ashby in wheelchair. Also attending was member Rick Miller. VVAW member Aaron Davis spoke at the rally after the march. Photo by Aaron Davis.

To: The US Labor Movement
Subject: Solidarity

In the name of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions representing 26,000 workers and 10 unions in the oil sector...

It is with great sadness that we learn that workers in Education (teachers) and Health (nurses) are having their rights violated by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, in a country that is seen as democratic and as "a land of the free." Preventing these sectors of society from bargaining is a clear violation of democracy.

We believe that worker's struggles all over the world are one struggle, and that these violations negatively affect relationships between workers throughout the globe. Therefore, we express our complete solidarity with our brothers in the US and strongly condemn Scott Walker's actions that amount to attacks and the autocracy of a dictator.

The oil workers and their leaders in Iraq stand with and support the teachers and nurses and all the activists in the US labor movement against these violations of their rights. We also demand that the US government take all necessary steps to prevent these violations.

In solidarity,

President of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions
Hassan Jum'a Awad al-Asadi

Cc'ed: President Barrack Obama, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, The Leadership of the AFL-CIO, The Worker Solidarity Center, US Labor Against the War

About 1,000 of our brothers and sisters showed up on the Utah capital steps to show support for Wisconsin and Ohio in the We Are One Rally. Photo by Aaron Davis.

To: The US Labor Movement
Subject: Solidarity

In the name of "Worker's Front Against War and Occupation in the South of Iraq" representing 15,000 workers, we strongly condemn the actions of Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker. His threats have provoked our anger and disappointment at a time when we are struggling to prevent Iraqi workers being treated the same way. We stand in solidarity and full support with the teachers and nurses, and all workers in the US.

In Iraq, we workers still suffer from oppression and marginalization in the public sector, and we say to the teachers and nurses: keep pushing your demands because one day dictators and tyranny will fall away and free people will prevail. We ask the US government to take immediate steps to prevent the violation of worker's rights.

In Solidarity,

President — Workers Front Against War and Occupation
Faleh Abood Umara

Cc'ed: United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Center for Global Solidarity, US Labor Against the War