AFT-Oregon Executive Council Resolution on Labor Defending Democracy

Whereas, AFT Oregon and our affiliates are committed to the defense of democratic rights and the institutions of democracy;

Whereas, President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence have refused to state publicly that they will respect the outcomes of the election and have repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories meant to undermine democracy;

Whereas, President Trump has refused, on multiple occasions, to denounce the activities of white supremacist and fascist militias and organizations that have stated desires to overthrow American democracy and instead has conveyed support for their actions;

Whereas, the Trump administration and Republican allies have a concerted campaign to obstruct, sabotage, and reject a fair and complete count of presidential ballots by creating barriers to voting targeted at poor people, working people, people of color, immigrants, women, young people. These tactics include intimidation at polling places, requirements to have a witness or notary sign the ballot, and dismantling key infrastructure such as the U.S. Postal Service;

Whereas, the Constitution requires voting results and Electoral College tallies to be completed and submitted to Congress by the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, and the new 2021 Congress to validate the results, and voters to determine the results, not the courts;

Whereas, the actions of the Trump administration have resulted in more than 200,000 Americans dying from COVID and millions more facing deep economic pain due to ongoing impact from the virus, and his administration can do irreparable harm during a lame duck session;

Whereas, the extreme risk currently posed to the historic institutions of democracy in our nation may require more widespread and vigorous resistance than at any time in recent history;

Whereas, the Labor Movement and trade unions have played a proud and vital role in protecting democracy and opposing authoritarianism in many nations throughout the world;

Whereas, united working people refusing to work across the nation have a greater power than any political machinations of aspiring despots, and the most powerful tool of the Labor Movement in our history has been the power of the General Strike;

Therefore be it resolved that AFT Oregon will support affiliate unions and community allies to prepare for widespread non-violent action on the streets and in our workplaces in response to undemocratic actions by President Trump and his allies;

Be it further resolved that AFT Oregon will encourage people to review the Coup Preparation pledge;

Be it further resolved that AFT Oregon calls on State, City, and County governments to protect the protesters defending democracy and commit to not using military or police action or curfews to curtail these activities and to use all available resources to stand up against any effort by the Trump administration to steal the election;

Be it finally resolved that AFT Oregon calls on the National AFL-CIO, all of its affiliate unions, and all other labor organizations to take whatever nonviolent actions are necessary to protect our democracy and ensure a Constitutionally mandated peaceful transition of power as a result of the 2020 Presidential Elections.