CBTU International President Calls for Peace in Ferguson, MI

Labor Leader Address Violence in Ferguson, MI

Statement of Rev. Terry Melvin

International President, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

We are living once again through the tragic serial drama of America. It is the depressing reality TV we get exposed to every few months. Every episode is different in the details. The actors change, the location is different, the facts vary – but the theme remains the same. An unarmed colored youth (either black or brown) under the age of 18 is tragically murdered by an armed law enforcer. The enforcer can be a cop, a community watch advocate, or a zealot vigilante. That title of the law enforcer isn’t as important as the fact that they are offered a shroud of vindication for attempting to enforce laws. The victim is always unarmed, physically intimidating though still a minor, and engaged in some questionable behavior. The community is always outraged at the murder, committed to demanding justice, and routinely labeled as rioters.

This is the American narrative. As stated earlier, the actors change: from Trayvon Martin to Michael Brown. The law enforcer varies from police officer to vigilant citizen. The neighborhoods range from down south to mid-west. But the narrative is always the same. An unarmed youth is left dead, society vehemently picks sides, and nothing changes. From Trayvon to Michael what have we really learned as a society? What is different beyond the details? Families are still suffering, communities are torn apart, politicians have jostled for position, organizations have ramped up fundraising, and bodies keep coming. It is no longer enough to just ask about Ferguson, MI we have to ask about our society.

These violent incidences are no longer circumstantial. There have been too many for far too long for us to act as if this is unique. These are not isolated incidents; they are endemic results of a societal failure. We are failing our youth when we disregard their deaths. Black or white, big or little, when youth are murdered it is a tragedy. We still mourn Colombine for the deaths of all those kids in that school shooting. We never ask if any victims were physically intimidating, or deserving to be killed, or if they bullied the murderers. We mourned their loss because kids should not be killed. Sadly, when we remove the youth from the school and put them on the streets and change the killer from an unknown to a title we respect, that murder takes on a different shape. We no longer cry for the dead but instead demand evidence.

When our youth die we need to stop running to our camps. Cops need to stop blindly defending their own and the community needs to own up to its members behavior. We need to be honest and upfront. We need to stop seeing this as adversarial and treating it for what it is: a national tragedy. When the dust settles in Ferguson we will be left with a torn community but no lessons moving forward. We will cry for Michael while we wait for the next victim. This needs to stop. Communities need to take back control of their streets. Police need to remember they are community members first. Only cooperation will lead to salvation. No more dead bodies of our babies but rather babies being brought up by their community. We can do this. We have done this. It is time to stop picking sides and build one road for us all to walk down together.

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Celebrating the Passage of Bill C-226 into Law

Save the date to join the Canadian Coalition for Environmental and Climate Justice (CCECJ) and the ENRICH Project in celebrating the National Strategy on Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act (formerly Bill C-226) becoming law.

Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Time: 6pm - 9pm ET
Location: Hybrid Event – CSI Spadina (192 Spadina Ave., Toronto) & Zoom

Cost: Free

This event will be held both in-person in Toronto and virtually via Zoom – everyone is welcome to join! It will include music, refreshments, and meaningful discussions on next steps to sustain momentum for the Environmental Justice Strategy Act.
More details to follow soon, including RSVP for both in-person and virtual participation and promotional materials.

Special thanks to the Sustainability Network for providing additional funding for this event. We look forward to celebrating this environmental justice milestone with our community!

In solidarity

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) - Canada

COALITION OF BLACK TRADE UNIONISTS TRI -STATE REGION 1 Conference

REVISED CONVENTION CALL

Dear CBTU Brother and Sisters:

I am excited to announce that the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Annual Region 1 Conference will be held July 19-21, 2024, at The Doubletree Hotel, 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse, NY.

Continuing the celebration of the International CBTU 53^rd Anniversary, our theme is also “Never Back, Always Forward: Hate Cannot Erase Us.” The agenda will consist of education and information that will give us an opportunity to reflect on our power and influence in the labor movement and our communities in the fight for social and economic justice.

In solidarity

Sharon Lovelady-Hall, CBTU Region 1 Director

Andrea McCormack, Secretary

Nina Manning, Treasurer

Ursula Howard, Women’s Committee Chair

Eugene Williams, Men’s Committee Chair

LaNette Murphy,Youth Committee Chair

Juanita Forde, Younger Workers Committee Chair

[email protected]

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

May 1st, 2024

Greetings CBTU Members:

The Executive Board would like to have a meeting to prepare for the busy months ahead. There is so much happening quickly and it's important that we can get information to you. Please ensure you are signed up to the current Whatsapp chat.

Please continue to follow the WhatsApp CBTU Ontario chat :

**REVISED CONVENTION CALL**

REVISED CONVENTION CALL