100 signatures reached
To: American Federation of Musicians
Tell the AFL-CIO to Drop the Cops
We demand that American Federation of Musicians (AFM) president Ray Hair release a revised statement which includes the following:
The American Federation of Musicians condemns police union tactics that not only enable the murder of Black people, musicians, and members, but actively defend state violence instead of supporting the interests of workers and the Labor Movement.
The American Federation of Musicians, citing the process detailed in Article X, section 8(b) of the AFL-CIO constitution, calls upon AFL-CIO president Trumka to expel the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) and order all affiliates–including itself–to sever ties with all police unions.
The American Federation of Musicians commits to vanquishing anti-Black and all forms of racism and discrimination not only with words, but with financial support for Black-led organizations and members using their platforms to fight racial and economic injustice.
The American Federation of Musicians condemns police union tactics that not only enable the murder of Black people, musicians, and members, but actively defend state violence instead of supporting the interests of workers and the Labor Movement.
The American Federation of Musicians, citing the process detailed in Article X, section 8(b) of the AFL-CIO constitution, calls upon AFL-CIO president Trumka to expel the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) and order all affiliates–including itself–to sever ties with all police unions.
The American Federation of Musicians commits to vanquishing anti-Black and all forms of racism and discrimination not only with words, but with financial support for Black-led organizations and members using their platforms to fight racial and economic injustice.
Why is this important?
As musicians committed to fighting racial and economic injustice, we will no longer stand idly by and allow police unions to protect police officers who murder Black people and fellow workers. Police unions across the nation largely continue to condone the same policing tactics that led to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Botham Jean, Freddie Gray, and countless more Black lives.
Many musicians and AFM members are using social media platforms to listen to the voices of Black activists and amplify them. In addition, many are actively engaging in peaceful protest–using their voices, instruments, and talents to uplift not only the names, but the platforms of anti-racist movements such as Black Lives Matter. This is only the beginning of the work we must do to actively build anti-racist practices within our community.
Background:
In 2017, Philadelphia Police Union President John McNesby said of Black Lives Matter protesters:
“When you go to work each day, you shouldn’t have to worry that a pack of rabid animals will suddenly show up at your home and openly threaten your family,” McNesby said. “These are not activists, they are racist hate groups determined to instigate violence.” This is a prime example of Police Union leadership disrespecting and undermining the values and work of anti-racist activists, many of whom are also members of the AFM.
Under the protection of police union bylaws, many predatory officers are able to escalate situations, intimidate, injure, and kill unarmed citizens with impunity. This environment makes it unsafe for Black musicians and members to organize at the workplace, at home, and travel to/from performances. The actions of police officers and their unions have made it clear that they are not treated as traditional workers and thus have no place in the Labor Movement.
The history of the AFM includes decades of inaction against racial injustice. Many Union Locals represented by the AFM across the nation were forced to integrate Black and White union musicians by court order, with the signing of Civil Rights Act legislation.
Despite this history, the AFM and its members have made considerable amounts of money performing, and–at times–appropriating Black American music and Black culture, especially in its legacy contracts such as Broadway, festivals, club dates, live TV, and film scoring. It is easy to conclude that the AFM’s livelihood depends on Black American Music, therefore it is of the utmost duty for the AFM to defend Black American lives.
We appreciate the recent statement by Ray Hair pledging “to continue to confront the ways our union and the music industry have contributed to persistent systemic racism” as well as the work done by the AFL-CIO in support of racial justice, including calling for police reform and the resignations of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and President of the Minneapolis Police Union. However, as musicians we must truly come to terms with our own history, ask our Union to do the same, and move forward together by taking direct action. The American Federation of Musicians must show the world that it is invested in the beliefs of its membership and committed to becoming an actively anti-racist union. Calling on the expulsion of police unions in the Labor movement is a essential step to begin this work.
Many musicians and AFM members are using social media platforms to listen to the voices of Black activists and amplify them. In addition, many are actively engaging in peaceful protest–using their voices, instruments, and talents to uplift not only the names, but the platforms of anti-racist movements such as Black Lives Matter. This is only the beginning of the work we must do to actively build anti-racist practices within our community.
Background:
In 2017, Philadelphia Police Union President John McNesby said of Black Lives Matter protesters:
“When you go to work each day, you shouldn’t have to worry that a pack of rabid animals will suddenly show up at your home and openly threaten your family,” McNesby said. “These are not activists, they are racist hate groups determined to instigate violence.” This is a prime example of Police Union leadership disrespecting and undermining the values and work of anti-racist activists, many of whom are also members of the AFM.
Under the protection of police union bylaws, many predatory officers are able to escalate situations, intimidate, injure, and kill unarmed citizens with impunity. This environment makes it unsafe for Black musicians and members to organize at the workplace, at home, and travel to/from performances. The actions of police officers and their unions have made it clear that they are not treated as traditional workers and thus have no place in the Labor Movement.
The history of the AFM includes decades of inaction against racial injustice. Many Union Locals represented by the AFM across the nation were forced to integrate Black and White union musicians by court order, with the signing of Civil Rights Act legislation.
Despite this history, the AFM and its members have made considerable amounts of money performing, and–at times–appropriating Black American music and Black culture, especially in its legacy contracts such as Broadway, festivals, club dates, live TV, and film scoring. It is easy to conclude that the AFM’s livelihood depends on Black American Music, therefore it is of the utmost duty for the AFM to defend Black American lives.
We appreciate the recent statement by Ray Hair pledging “to continue to confront the ways our union and the music industry have contributed to persistent systemic racism” as well as the work done by the AFL-CIO in support of racial justice, including calling for police reform and the resignations of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and President of the Minneapolis Police Union. However, as musicians we must truly come to terms with our own history, ask our Union to do the same, and move forward together by taking direct action. The American Federation of Musicians must show the world that it is invested in the beliefs of its membership and committed to becoming an actively anti-racist union. Calling on the expulsion of police unions in the Labor movement is a essential step to begin this work.