Ruffin ILWU's guest appearances

Ruffin ILWU

Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Essays

Rosa Luxemburg

Noam Chomsky

Tupac Shakur

William Parker

Frederick Douglass

Paul Robeson

Jane Jackson

Edward Snowden

Troy Davis

Lauryn Hill

John Brown

Jackie Robinson

John Kerry

Sonia Sotomayor

Shirley Chisholm

OwlTail

It's been over a year since two members of the International Longshore &amp; Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 10, were harassed, beaten and busted while trying to call their union rep on a cell phone.The men, Aaron Harrison and Jason Ruffin, were beaten by maritime security and West Sacramento cops, for the fake offense of parking -- while Black.They are days away from trial in Yolo County, California on bogus "resisting arrest" charges, really cover charges--to cover up the fact that they were racially profiled for the high crimes and misdemeanor of being two young Black men, sitting in a car, on the docks.It would've been wrong, and just as vile, if it were 2 young guys who were unaffiliated or even unemployed.But the fact is, they are affiliated with a union with a long and proud history of resistance on behalf, not just of ILWU members, but to the working class, and social   justice movements worldwide.And if the ILWU will fight for others, they certainly will fight for themselves!And they are rightfully demanding that all charges be dropped against their ILWU brothers Ruffin and Harrison --not some--all!They will come out in the hundreds for them -- because they understand the old saying, "An injury to one, is an injury to all!"For that -- for their fighting spirit -- for making unity a real part of the union -- they are to be commended.With unity like that unions can expand, and begin to transform this   country from the casino and political whorehouse for Wall St. that it has become.Free Bros. Ruffin &amp; Harrison!An Injury to One Is An Injury to All!10/1/08 (c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal

It's been over a year since two members of the International Longshore &amp; Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 10, were harassed, beaten and busted while trying to call their union rep on a cell phone. The men, Aaron Harrison and Jason Ruffin, were beaten by maritime security and West Sacramento cops, for the fake offense of parking -- while Black. They are days away from trial in Yolo County, California on bogus "resisting arrest" charges, really cover charges--to cover up the fact that they were racially profiled for the high crimes and misdemeanor of being two young Black men, sitting in a car, on the docks. It would've been wrong, and just as vile, if it were 2 young guys who were unaffiliated or even unemployed. But the fact is, they are affiliated with a union with a long and proud history of resistance on behalf, not just of ILWU members, but to the working class, and social justice movements worldwide. And if the ILWU will fight for others, they certainly will fight for themselves! And they are rightfully demanding that all charges be dropped against their ILWU brothers Ruffin and Harrison --not some--all! They will come out in the hundreds for them -- because they understand the old saying, "An injury to one, is an injury to all!" For that -- for their fighting spirit -- for making unity a real part of the union -- they are to be commended. With unity like that unions can expand, and begin to transform this country from the casino and political whorehouse for Wall St. that it has become. Free Bros. Ruffin &amp; Harrison! An Injury to One Is An Injury to All! 10/1/08 (c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal

A Time for Union Power (the case of Harrison & Ruffin ILWU)