"TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen added, "We plan to be down there from now on. Previously there were individual rank and filers, but now there will be a coordinated presence from the Transport Union; we'll be joining the protest, standing in agreement and solidarity. One of the things that drew the issue to my attention is the fact that no one can get away from the fact that the richest and wealthiest folks have received a significant tax break and there have been ongoing efforts to extract concessions from public sector workers. Their formula is to give tax breaks to the rich and balance the budget on people making 50 grand a year. These folks down at Wall Street are singing the same tune as we are."
More promising, is this quote from Jim Gannon, spokesman for the Local on the executive board's unanimous support for the protest,
It's kind of a natural alliance with the young people and the students -- they're voicing our message, why not join them? On many levels, our workers feel an affinity with the kids. They just seem to be hanging out there getting the crap beaten out of them, and maybe union support will help them out a little bit."
What is particularly striking about Gannon's statement is the explicit reference to police brutality as a reason for supporting anti-capitalist youth. Any student of the Battle of Seattle can't help but get excited by statements like this, especially if you have seen the remarkable indymedia doc "The Whole World is Watching". During the film their is a particularly poignant scene where a group of rank-and-file members of the USW (United Steelworkers) choose to defend marchers from police attacks. In another scene, a spokesperson for the AFL-CIO recalls being told by the ILWU that they intended to shutdown the ports if a massive group of protesters were not released from jail. While, Occupy Wall Street cannot compare to the size, intensity, and coordination of the Battle of Seattle, such moments of youth and rank-and-file solidarity should both remind us and inspire us: Direct action gets the goods! And, As I wrote yesterday, the timing for increased support from labor unions couldn't be better as folks gear up for a march against cops and capitalism tomorrow night. With the addition of a NYHC contingent and unconfirmed reports of a possible Radiohead concert tomorrow night, Liberty Plaza has the potential to be liberated. At the very least, it has the potential to draw large numbers and previously unaffiliated folks to Liberty Plaza. Combine this possibility of partying and play with the spirit of rage and frustration of the anti-cop march and things could get interesting. Either way tomorrow could see the largest crowds yet and I, for one, hope to be there.*
*coincidently, the author of this post is looking for a ride from Western Mass to NYC in time for tomorrow's march. If you or someone you know wouldn't mind giving him a ride, he would greatly appreciate it. He can be reached at sja07@hampshire.edu
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