Remarks of Bruce Popper, Executive Vice President, RGVALF AFL-CIO at NYCLU Press Conference

(Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation)

Occupy Rochester - NYCLU Press Conference, Washington Square Park, Rochester, NY, November 11, 2011 

Remarks of Bruce Popper, Executive Vice-president, RGVALF, AFL-CIO

and Vice-president, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

"On March 2, 500 people gathered at Rochester City Hall in the bitter cold to protest the attack on the rights of teachers and other civil servants in Wisconsin.  On March 17, 500 met at the Liberty Pole to object to State cuts in education funding.  And on April 4, we marched on Genesee Street on the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination because income inequality and racial disparities had returned to levels not seen since Dr. King walked among us.

We walked in front of Congressional offices in the summer and picketed the IRS on Labor Day to demonstrate that the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes.

Then came Occupy Wall Street.  Its spark lit the flames of protest across the country and here in Rochester.  The message was clear:  while Main Street suffered, Wall Street sucked all the wealth from our economy.  And when it all went bust, Wall Street was too big to fail while unemployment, foreclosures, and misery increased to levels not seen since the Great Depression.

We in the union movement greeted the Occupy movement with open arms because its theme resonated with our members, the victims of the current crisis.

So we reacted with anger and outrage when Occupy protesters were arrested here in this park two weeks ago, including many of our young union activists.

We asked to meet with the Mayor and said the arrests must stop.  We said that he should consult the mayors of Buffalo and Syracuse where accommodations with the Occupy movement were made that enabled 24 hour demonstrations.  We asked that he come back with an alternative.

The New York Civil Liberties Union weighed in and challenged the constitutionality of the City’s actions.

And when all was said and done, an agreement was reached yesterday, approved by the Occupy General Assembly and the Mayor that will allow this protest to continue.

We give credit to the Mayor, to the police, and to Occupy participants for reaching this historic settlement.  And we give credit to all those who kept this dispute peaceful.  It was a vital ingredient in reaching a meeting of the minds.

I proudly carry two union cards in my wallet.  One is from 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the other is from the American Civil Liberties Union.  Both organizations, together with the

Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO, defend our democracy by fighting for the rights of the people.

Yesterday was a win for those rights, a win for our community, and a win for the First Amendment.