Dear neighbors and friends,
The 157
th
anniversary of Juneteenth takes place this Friday, June 19.
Juneteenth
commemorates the date when enslaved people in Texas finally received news about the Emancipation Proclamation – almost 3 years after its passage.
There are many ways to stand for justice and equality
and wherever you are, there is something you can do to put an end to racism and police brutality. Let us all do our share.
On Friday I will be joining an action organized by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
(
https://www.ilwu.org/
)
The brothers and sisters of the ILWU are shutting down all ports of the West Coast of the United States to demand justice for George Floyd and others, to end systemic racism and police brutality in the U.S., and against the privatization of the Port of Oakland, a public entity. The ILWU is joining forces with community organizations, class struggle groups, and youth activists to prepare massive car caravans, marches and rallies.
“We think that the most effective way to stop police terror is by the working class taking action at the point of production. If the working class is to be heard, labor must shut it down,” stated Clarence Thomas, past Secretary-Treasurer, ILWU Local 10.
I’ll be attending the
ILWU-organized Bay Area march and car caravan
starting at
10:00 a.m., Friday, June 19
, from the
SSA Terminals, 1717 Middle Harbor Road, Oakland
and proceeding to the
Oscar Grant Plaza for a rally at 12:30 p.m
. The demands are to
Stop Police Terror
,
End Systemic Racism
, and
Stop Privatization of the Port of Oakland
.
For event information contact: #juneteenthSPT @juneteenthSPT
Now is the time to act. Everything -- and everyone -- counts.
Gayle
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gayle McLaughlin
Former Mayor of Richmond California 2007-2015
2020 Richmond City Council Candidate
