SomeThing Is Happening In Maryland, Something Is Happening In Our World

Wednesday, August 30th (today), we will all take a moment to reflect on the life of a young man who was taken too early. In our country today these senseless acts of violence are becoming more prevalent. Ignorance and racism have lead to countless incidents of social injustice and violenceess as those on our campus and in Charlottesville.

The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has always fought against these horrific acts and ways of thinking.  

(Learn More about AFSCME's history with the Labor Movement and Civil rights)

AFSCME Local 1072, the union for UMCP staff, stands for inclusiveness and intends to promote these ideas with our upcoming contract. We will introduce language on the concepts of :

1. Sanctuary Campus
2. LGBTQ Rights
3. Dignity and Respect in the Workplace

To this end, your local union has developed the following resolution:

WHEREAS, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1072 is proud that our membership reflects racial, ethnic, sexual identity, and religious diversity;

WHEREAS, although racism is hardly a new phenomenon in the United States, the Southern Poverty Law Center has recorded a significant spike in hate crimes since Donald Trump’s election, as well as violent gatherings of white supremacists, including the deadly events in Charlottesville, VA on August 12;

WHEREAS, the wealthy and powerful have always used the politics of hate, division, and racism to divide us and weaken unions;

WHEREAS, by forging interracial solidarity, we can win union contracts that will better our working conditions;

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 1072 condemns the racist, violent actions of Nazis, and white nationalists, and attendees of the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville on August 12.

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 1072 rejects in the strongest possible terms the ideology of white supremacy.

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 1072 mourns the murders that occurred on May 20th and August 12th and will continue to support actions that oppose those forces that brought about those deaths.

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 1072 fully supports all counter-protesters who demonstrated against the hateful white supremacists who attended the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville.

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 1072 recommits ourselves to the struggle for racial and economic justice, gender equality, and human and civil rights for all, and stands in solidarity with anyone who is fighting for the same.

As a campus community, let’s stand together and fight!

In Solidarity,

Dawn Jackson

President of AFSCME 1072