Minnesota’s Labor Movement endorses 1/23 Day of Truth & Freedom

The Executive Board of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state’s federation of more than 1,000 affiliated local unions, voted to endorse Friday’s Day of Truth and Freedom as Minnesotans stand together against ICE’s occupation of our communities and the unconstitutional detention of countless innocent Minnesotans including a significant number of union members.

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham said: 

“ICE’s continued occupation, actions, and tactics are harming communities throughout Minnesota and making us all less safe. They are indiscriminately targeting Minnesotans of color, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Many people are fearful of daily activities like going to work, shopping for groceries, and sending their children to school. 

“Minnesotans have and continue to show up for one another – whether that be delivering food, walking kids to school, or standing watch in our neighborhoods. Following Rene  Good’s killing, nonviolent protesters are putting their lives on the line to speak up for basic decency while exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech. 

“On Friday, union members will join with our fellow Minnesotans to reject fear and speak with one voice as we call for ICE to leave our state, no additional funding for ICE, legal accountability for ICE’s killing of Renee Good, and for Minnesota’s large corporations to stop cooperating with ICE.”

On Friday, the Minnesota AFL-CIO is asking union members to join the peaceful afternoon march downtown (see recommendations for attending in the cold weather) and not to shop.