Statement from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:
Dr. King reminded us that violence begets violence. The labor movement is appalled by the brutal attack on two union Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, 31 and 24 years old. We send solidarity and love to our members and their families as the recovery process begins, and call for the perpetrator of this crime to be found, arrested and prosecuted. We also renew our call for police reform and an end to systemic racism and violence against people of color. Supporting law enforcement and demanding justice for our communities are not mutually exclusive, and we will continue to use our voice to be a champion for both.
Statement from the AFL-CIO Task Force on Racial Justice:
We strongly condemn the shooting of two sheriff’s deputies in Los Angeles this week. These public servants, both members of the AFL-CIO-affiliated Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, MEBA, were ambushed in a cold-blooded act of cowardice. We pray for the recovery of our sister and brother, and call for an end to any violence against law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Every violent attack on those in uniform makes our pursuit of long overdue police reform that much harder. These actions do not represent the labor movement or the peaceful protests taking place throughout our nation. We remain focused on bringing an end to systemic racism, holding unfit officers accountable, and providing dignity and safety through collective bargaining to everyone who wears a badge. We call for civility and peace while we continue to demand justice.
The AFL-CIO Task Force on Racial Justice is chaired by United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President and AFL-CIO Civil and Human Rights Committee Vice Chair Fred Redmond. Terry Melvin, president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and secretary-treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO, serves as executive director. Other task force members include AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler; AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre; A. Philip Randolph Institute President Clayola Brown; UNITE HERE General Vice President Nia Winston; AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride; Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) General President Kenneth Rigmaiden; UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada; American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) President Stuart Appelbaum; Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Executive Director Alvina Yeh; Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee President Vonda McDaniel; Labor Council for Latin American Advancement National President Yanira Merino; Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer April Sims; Florida AFL-CIO President Mike Williams; and Bricklayers (BAC) Local 8 Southeast President Glenn Kelly.
Contact: Carolyn Bobb (202) 637-5018