Minnesota unions to lead anti-war rally Sept. 23

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3274

Minnesota unions to lead anti-war rally
By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
10 September 2007

ST. PAUL - Minnesota unions will lead a rally Sunday, Sept. 23, at the state Capitol to demand an end to the war in Iraq.

The demonstration, which will involve many of the state's leading labor organizations, is the first major union anti-war protest to take place in Minnesota in many decades, organizers said. The rally starts at 1 p.m. on the south steps of the state Capitol.

Traditionally, unions would rather remain neutral on issues of war and peace, but the nature of the Iraq War makes standing on the sidelines impossible, labor leaders said.

"The toll in terms of human lives and the economic cost has fallen disproportionately on working folks," said Steve Hunter, secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, one of the participating organizations. "There has not been shared sacrifice in this country. It's time to find our way out of this mess."

In addition to the Minnesota AFL-CIO, labor organizations participating in the rally include AFSCME Council 5, Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council, SEIU Minnesota State Council and the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly.

Tara Widner, who travels the region as a staff representative for the United Steelworkers, has noticed growing frustration and discontent over the four-and-a-half-year-old war.


FULL story at link.