Advisory:Longshore Workers May 1 Anti-War Action

Submitted by kelly on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:38am.
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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

CONTACT:
Adam Sanchez, Portland Labor Against the War 503-449-7249, adam.m.sanchez@gmail.com
Kelly Campbell, PDX Peace 503-720-1815, kcampbell@afsc.org
          
NEWS ADVISORY

PORTLAND LONGSHORE WORKERS, PDXPeace and VETERANS FOR PEACE TO HONOR TROOPS WITH MAY DAY EVENT


Longshoreman to place flowers in Willamette River as part of anti-war events called for by ILWU at major west coast ports
 
PORTLAND, OR (April 29, 2008) – Longshore workers at Oregon’s largest port will protest the war in Iraq with a waterfront event honoring the troops and calling for their immediate and safe return to their families. Rank and file members of ILWU Local 8 will place 800 red flowers in the Willamette River at noon on May 1 to honor the more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers who have lost their lives.
 
This event coincides with International Workers’ Day and several other anti-war events sponsored by International Longshore and Warehouse Union members at major ports in California and Washington.   
 
WHO:     ILWU Local 8, PDX Peace Coalition, Veterans for Peace, other community groups
 
WHAT:   “Flowers in the River” protest of the war in Iraq. Visuals include union members placing flowers in the river, and crowds holding signs and banners.
 
WHERE: On the floating dock on the east side of the river, just north of the Burnside Bridge. Parking is available at either end of the bridge, or near the East end of the Steel Bridge.
 
WHEN: Thursday, May 1
    11:00 AM Supporters will gather with Veterans for Peace at the Peace Memorial Park on the corner of NE Interstate and NE Oregon and march to the action
       12:00 ILWU Flowers in the River action, on floating dock just north of the Burnside Bridge
 
WHY:    The ILWU nationally has called for an immediate end to the War in Iraq and withdrawal of U.S. troops, and  local unions are holding rallies in all major West Coast ports.

More information on this and other May Day activities including the rally and march organized by the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and a teach-in at Portland State is available at http://www.pdxpeace.org

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