AFT PEACE AND
JUSTICE CAUCUS

 

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Peace and Justice Caucus
at the 2008 AFT Convention

AFT Peace and Justice Caucus activists, together with a lot of other progressive  delegates, played an important role in the passage of resolutions at the 2008 American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention in Chicago, July 11-14 that promoted and extended the principles in our caucus' mission statement.  Most notable were:

1.      Two major anti-war resolutions:  (1)  "Against the Current U.S. Policy of Permanent and 'Pre-emptive War;" and (2) "Opposing U.S. Expansion of the War into Iran."  Click here to read the resolutions.

2.      SUPPORT FOR SINGLE-PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE  and "the passage of HR 676."

3.      AN IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION calling for an end to ICE raids and deportations and for schools to become sanctuary zones for immigrants and their families.

4.      AN ANTI-RACISM RESOLUTION  entitled "A Teachers' Campaign Against racism and in Defense of the 'Jena 6.'"  There was also a resolution passed supporting a national holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez.

5.      SUPPORT FOR  PUERTO RICAN TEACHERS against government repression of a massive teachers' strike.

P & J PROGRAMS AT THE CONVENTION:  The caucus also sponsored four very successful programs at the AFT convention.  Click here for descriptions and pictures (and here for full video of our symposium on "Fighting Back in the Schools").

JOIN/SUPPORT THE CAUCUS!  Click here to join the caucus -- and here if you wish to make a donation to support our mission and work.

the aft peace and
justice caucus

Founded in July, 2006, we are a peace and justice organization registered as a issue caucus in the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). 

We first came together at the bi-annual national convention of the AFT held in Boston in the summer of 2006.  Our initial work focused on building an anti-war movement in the AFT, advocating for the AFT to play a role in promoting progressive immigration policies and supporting a special order of business at the convention in defense of striking teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico. 

We maintained and staffed a P &J Caucus table at the convention, distributing thousands of leaflets on the Iraq War, advocating for immigration reform, signing up 135 members, talking to delegates and organizing forums on (1)the mideast,  (2) veterans and military families against the war and (3) education reform, with Jonathan Kozol as the featured speaker.  (For more details on the three forums, go to our October 2006 newsletter, page five).

But our main work was on the convention floor.  The AFT  passed anti-war resolution that resolved that:

  •  "The American Federation of Teachers oppose the war in Iraq and call upon our country's leaders to withdraw all troops, bases and military operations in a rapid and timely manner and to put a stop to the unending military presence that will waste lives and resources, undermine our nation's security and weaken our military....[emphasis added]"

  • The AFT build anti-war movement by "encourag[ing] its state and local affiliates to join the AFT in working with the AFL-CIO to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home rapidly."

The AFT Peace and Justice Caucus played a crucial role in strengthening the language in these two "resolveds," putting the federation on record as "oppose[d] to the war" and committed to building an anti-war movement with its "state and local affiliates" and the AFL-CIO.  Click here for the full resolution.

AFT leadership at the convention introduced a special order of business that in essence, supported Israel’s attack on Lebanon.  Peace and Justice Caucus delegates spoke and fought against the resolution and presented an alternative one which was narrowly defeated.  (See the October 2006 newsletter, page six, for more details.)

The convention also passed a special order of business in support of striking teachers in Oaxaca who had been attacked by police and paramilitary forces.  Click here for the AFT Oaxaca resolution.

Find out more about us.  Check out the rest of the website and if you are a member of an AFT local, join the caucus. Click here if you wish to make a donation to support our mission and work.

 

Click here for our
mission statement