AFSCME and Racial Equality

(7481) Anti-Apartheid protest arrest

jruss — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:32:26 -0400

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (left), Yolanda King (daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr.), and Mayor Richard Hatcher (right) of Gary, Indiana sing “We Shall Overcome” as they are arrested protesting outside the South African Embassy on November 29, 1984, as part of the Free South Africa Movement's campaign against Apartheid.

(7531) Free South Africa Movement march

jruss — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:13:42 -0400

On August 12, 1985, the Free South Africa Movement, of which AFSCME’s Bill Lucy was a leader, organized this symbolic funeral march after the Apartheid government in South Africa banned public funerals. The march took place in Washington, D.C., and the protesters objected to the Reagan Administration’s policy of constructive engagement with South Africa. Pictured here, left to right, are actor Paul Newman, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, National Education Association President Mary Futrell, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, and Gary, Indiana Mayor Richard Hatcher.

(11559) AFL-CIO Civil Rights Conference

jruss — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:43:39 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (right) is seated with Seafarers International Union President Paul Hall and Special Delivery Messengers President George Warfel at a conference held by the AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C. to secure voluntary compliance with the 1964 Civil Rights Act through education at the local union level.

(11734) Free South Africa Movement

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:53:57 -0500

Labor leaders march against South African apartheid in Washington, D.C. as part of the Free South Africa movement. From left: AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, NEA President Mary Futrell, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, Gary, Indiana Mayor Richard Hatcher.

(11738) AFL-CIO Civil Rights Conference

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:19 -0500

In early 1986, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy addresses the 11th biennial AFL-CIO Civil Rights Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

(11740) Anti-Apartheid Rally

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:54:40 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy (middle left in sunglasses) and Jesse Jackson (in front of podium at right) join many other demonstrators in a 1985 rally against South African Apartheid in Washington, D.C.

(11741) Letter to Bishop Tutu

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:04:04 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy signs a letter to South Africa’s Bishop Desmond Tutu, supporting the end of apartheid.

(11743) National Urban League

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:16:57 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy speaks at the National Urban League in July 1985.

(11746) March for Jobs, Peace, Freedom

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:50:22 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy speaks at the August 1983 March for Jobs, Peace, Freedom in Washington, D.C.

(11748) March for Jobs, Peace, Freedom

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:12:09 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy speaks at the March for Jobs, Peace, Freedom in Washington, D.C.

(11749) Shell Oil Boycott

jruss — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:16:19 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer urges a Houston audience to boycott Shell Oil for the company’s investment in South Africa during apartheid.

(12102) McEntee against apartheid

jruss — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:53:02 -0400

Coretta Scott King listens as AFSCME President Gerald McEntee speaks at a rally against apartheid outside of the South African embassy in Washington, D.C. McEntee was among many protesters later arrested for their demonstrations. This image appeared in the February 1985 issue of AFSCME's Public Employee magazine.

(12104) March for Jobs, Peace, and Freedom

jruss — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:23:54 -0400

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, center, marches at the 1983 March for Jobs, Peace, and Freedom in Washington, D.C.

(12108) Divestment

jruss — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:09:36 -0400

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee encourages U.S. companies to divest from South Africa to protest apartheid at a rally in Washington, D.C.

(12111) AFSCME against apartheid

jruss — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:34:49 -0400

AFSCME leaders march in protest against apartheid in February 1985 in Washington D.C. They are President Gerald McEntee (center); Donald McKee (left with sign); James Glass, Michigan (far left); Edward Keller, Pennsylvania (partially hidden); and Maynard White, Southwestern (right). This image appeared in the February 1985 issue of AFSCME's Public Employee magazine.

(12363) Silent March on Washington, DC, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:10:23 -0400

Participants dressed in early 1900s-era clothing during the NAACP’s Silent March on Washington, DC, August 26, 1989. AFSCME was among the many organizations which supported the march, a protest of Supreme Court decisions that had been made that year. The event was modeled after the NAACP’s 1917 silent march in New York City.

(12365) Silent March on Washington, DC, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 14:46:08 -0400

A young participant leads a crowd during the Silent March on Washington, DC, August 26, 1989. The NAACP organized the event as a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year. An estimated 500 AFSCME members participated.

(12366) Silent March on Washington, DC, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 14:50:30 -0400

Participants walk with linked arms during the Silent March on Washington, DC, August 26, 1989. AFSCME was among the supporting organizations of the NAACP-led event, which was a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year. Participants included Rev. Jesse Jackson.

(12367) AFSCME President McEntee at Silent March on Washington, DC, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 14:56:53 -0400

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (head turned toward camera) participates in the Silent March on Washington, D.C. August 26, 1989. Second from left is Richard Trumka. AFSCME was among the supporting organizations of the NAACP-led event, which was a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year.

(12368) Silent March on Washington, DC and Rally, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:01:51 -0400

AFSCME members participate in a rally held after the Silent March on Washington, DC. The NAACP-organized event was a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year.

(12369) Silent March on Washington and Rally, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:04:55 -0400

Participants, including AFSCME members, gather and hold signs at a rally held after the Silent March on Washington, DC. The NAACP-organized event was a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year.

(12370) Rosa Parks, Silent March on Washington, DC, 1989

scaloia — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:07:50 -0400

Rosa Parks (second from right) stands on stage with other leaders during a rally following the Silent March on Washington, DC, August 26, 1989. AFSCME was among the supporting organizations of the NAACP-led event, which was a protest of Supreme Court decisions made that year.

(24713) CBTU Committee Members

jruss — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:40:16 -0400

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Brotherhood Ball Committee Members from left: James Glass, AFSCME Michigan Council 25; Dorothy Hughes, of the Ecorse Federation of Teachers and founding member of the Detroit chapter of CBTU; and Leon English, UAW.

(27949) United Negro College Fund reception

jruss — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:08:43 -0500

Dignitaries at a kick-off reception for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) telethon held during the 1985 AFL-CIO convention. From left: AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, recording artist Nancy Wilson, and AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland.

(28853) Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

jruss — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:33:24 -0400

This is the cover to a pamphlet summarizing the Conference of Black Trade Unionists held in Chicago in 1972. This Conference resulted in the formation of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, commonly referred to as CBTU.

(28854) CBTU Steering Committee

jruss — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:35:13 -0400

These photos of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionisits (CBTU) Steering Committee was included in a pamphlet that summarized the Conference of Black Trade Unionists held in Chicago in 1972. This Conference resulted in the formation of CBTU.

(29052) AFSCME Civil Rights Committee

jruss — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:41:45 -0400

AFSCME officials met to set up the union's Civil Rights Committee. From left standing: Donald Slaiman, Leo Kramer, George Lima, Ambrose Raleigh, Al Church; setaed: Walter Davies, Boris Shishkink, President Arnold Zander. This image appeared in the April 1962 issue of AFSCME's Public Employee magazine.

(30488) AFSCME at March on Washington, 1963

jruss — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:36:46 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf with members of New York District Council 37 at the 1963 March on Washington.

(30489) AFSCME at March on Washington, 1963

jruss — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:41:07 -0400

Members of New York AFSCME District Council 37 participate in the 1963 March on Washington.

(30490) AFSCME at March on Washington, 1963

jruss — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:07:45 -0400

Members of New York AFSCME District Council 37 participate in the 1963 March on Washington.

(30491) AFSCME at March on Washington, 1963

jruss — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:11:59 -0400

Members of New York AFSCME District Council 37 participate in the 1963 March on Washington.

(30614) National Urban League's Equal Opportunity Day Award

jruss — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:48:29 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf speaks at the National Urban League’s Equal Opportunity Day Award banquet. AFSCME received this award for its role in the successful 1968 sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis during which Martin Luther King was assassinated. President Lyndon Johnson later attended and spoke at the banquet.

(30615) National Urban League's Equal Opportunity Day Award banquet

jruss — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:01:28 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (left) and National Urban League President Whitney Young (right) applaud U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (second from right) at the 1968 National Urban League's Equal Opportunity Day Award banquet in New York City. AFSCME received the award for its role in the successful 1968 sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis during which Martin Luther King was assassinated.

(30618) Wurf applauds Johnson

jruss — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:38:02 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (left) applauds U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (right) at the 1968 National Urban League's Equal Opportunity Day Award banquet in New York City. AFSCME received the award for its role in the successful 1968 sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis during which Martin Luther King was assassinated.

(46696) Letter regarding Marvin Fleming, Washington, DC, 1968

scaloia — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 12:36:33 -0500

Letter addressed to Mr. James Slaughter, Commissioners' Council on Human Relations, from Warren W. Morse, Business Agent, AFSCME Washington DC Local 1.

The letter reads:
“Several years ago Marvin Fleming, at that time a WBR-3 Trash Collector in the Division of Sanitation, became the instrument through which one of the most deliberate and pernicious systems of racial discrimination in the District government was smashed. Over the determined resistance of Mr. Roeder, Division Chief, and Mr. Redd, Chief of the Incineration and Trash Collection Branch, Mr. Fleming was able to receive on-the-job training as a Crane Operator without first serving an apprenticeship as a Weighmaster. He has since been the subject of repeated harassment.

"On August 16 Mr. Fleming was one of two employees rated as qualified for two positions as Overhead Crane Operator WBR-5712-10. On August 23 a 'personnel request' was submitted for him and the other qualified employee. Sometime between then and September 5, the approval date, Mr. Redd disapproved of Mr. Fleming's selection, and his name was x'ed off the personnel request.

"We charge that this represents retaliation for Mr. Fleming's role in breaking up the old discriminatory system and indicates that there has been more change in practice than in intent. We ask that you take immediate steps to have the Division directed to appoint Mr. Fleming to this position. We also ask that if there is a positive finding that the disapproval represents racial discrimination appropriate disciplinary action be initiated against those responsible."