Delegates to the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body's January meeting unanimously approved a motion to offer a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible for the theft of 'Say No To War With Iraq' lawn signs in the area.
In November the central body, whose 63 affiliated unions and councils represent over 10,000 area trade unionists, went on record in opposition to war with Iraq if the United States does not have the support of the United Nations. The theft of any lawn signs is a disturbing development for other reasons as well, the organization said.
'Whenever a citizen is willing to place a sign in their yard, whether it is for a political candidate or a statement on an issue, it speaks to the essence of democracy,' said Central Body President Alan Netland. 'Lawn signs add to the public debate and should be protected as freedom of speech. There is a disturbing trend in our society to stifle dissent and we don't want to see that happen.'
Anyone with information about the theft of the anti-war signs is asked to call the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body at 218-724-1413 or the Duluth Police Department at 218-723-3434.
In a related development, AFSCME Local 66, a union of public employees in the Duluth area, announced it has approved a resolution opposing war in Iraq.
Larry Sillanpa edits the Labor World, the publication of the Duluth Central Labor Body.
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Delegates to the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body’s January meeting unanimously approved a motion to offer a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible for the theft of ‘Say No To War With Iraq’ lawn signs in the area.
In November the central body, whose 63 affiliated unions and councils represent over 10,000 area trade unionists, went on record in opposition to war with Iraq if the United States does not have the support of the United Nations. The theft of any lawn signs is a disturbing development for other reasons as well, the organization said.
‘Whenever a citizen is willing to place a sign in their yard, whether it is for a political candidate or a statement on an issue, it speaks to the essence of democracy,’ said Central Body President Alan Netland. ‘Lawn signs add to the public debate and should be protected as freedom of speech. There is a disturbing trend in our society to stifle dissent and we don’t want to see that happen.’
Anyone with information about the theft of the anti-war signs is asked to call the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body at 218-724-1413 or the Duluth Police Department at 218-723-3434.
In a related development, AFSCME Local 66, a union of public employees in the Duluth area, announced it has approved a resolution opposing war in Iraq.
Larry Sillanpa edits the Labor World, the publication of the Duluth Central Labor Body.
Related article