Join a No Kings rally in your community this Saturday
The No Kings rallies tomorrow may very well be the largest peaceful protest in modern American history. And we hope you will be out there in your community. With over 2,600 events scheduled across the country, the day represents a peaceful and nonviolent movement of millions of Americans from all walks of life rising up to make one thing clear: we don’t do dictators or kings in America, and we never will.
The continued authoritarian moves by the Trump administration bring new urgency to the No Kings rallies tomorrow. They’ve deployed federal troops in the streets of Chicago, Portland, and Washington, D.C. They’ve indicted political opponents on bogus charges. They’ve sent in masked agents to raid buildings, zip-tie children in the middle of the night, and harass our communities. They’re trying to force colleges and universities to sign loyalty oaths. They’ve shut down the government, refusing to fix the healthcare crisis they created.
We’re organizing to defend our democracy, protect each other and our communities, and say enough to the Trump administration’s abuse of power. Click here to find a rally in your community, and make sure to tag @cftunion in all of your posts on social media.
Momentum builds to pass Prop. 50
This week President Obama released a powerful new ad, urging California voters to vote yes on Prop. 50, and put our elections back on a level playing field. President Obama is right. Voting for this critical proposition is the most important thing we can do right now to ensure a Congress that is accountable to the people, not a single person. So make sure to fill out your ballot and drop it in the mail without delay.
The No Kings rallies tomorrow are also a great opportunity to spread the word about voting yes on Prop. 50. Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on the CFT website.
San Mateo Community College faculty rally for fair pay and academic freedom
Last week members of the San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1493, boycotted a professional development day and rallied in front of the district office to protest unacceptable contract offers from management.
Over the course of 20 negotiation sessions, the district has offered insultingly low raises, refused equitable pay for faculty workload, and refused to negotiate on the inclusion of academic freedom protections in the faculty contract.
Monica Malamud, the Chief Negotiator of AFT 1493 and Spanish faculty at Cañada College, shared, “The San Mateo County Community College District is one of the wealthiest in the state…While the district on average brings in $100 million more per year than our peer districts, our faculty are commuting hours to work due to abysmal pay. It’s time the district stop padding their pockets and invest in the faculty that are the lifeblood of our colleges to ensure students can continue to receive a quality higher education in our community.”
Following the rally, which garnered great coverage in the Daily Journal, faculty are hopeful the district will come ready to negotiate at their upcoming bargaining session on October 24.
CFT State Council passes resolution calling for the abolition of ICE
On Saturday, October 4, the CFT State Council passed a resolution titled, Abolish ICE and End Militarization of Our Communities. The resolution condemns the Trump administration’s federalization of the National Guard and deployment of military forces in civilian communities, and calls for Congress to abolish ICE. It also reaffirms CFT’s commitment to immigration reform, immigrant justice, educational equity, and civil liberty, and asserts that students deserve to learn free from fear.
For links to additional resolutions passed at the October 4 State Council, click here.
