The Dallas AFL-CIO and its retirees set up a public protest in a downtown park on February 15. The theme was “No Cuts.” A long list of union and political messages came in response.
Hobie Hukill, a teacher and Dallas AFL-CIO Executive Board member, was the emcee. Staffer Carmen Ayala brought a solidarity message from Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Other speakers came from the National American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE members who work at Environmental Protection, AFGE members from the VA hospital, AFGE members who work in the Department of Education, Steelworker leaders, Communications Workers leaders, Transport Workers leaders, retiree leaders, Postal Workers leaders, and the Political Director for the Dallas AFL-CIO. City Councilpersons Carolyn King Arnold and Paul Ridley were recognized. Everybody had their own enlargement of the theme “No Cuts!”
Some 200 enthusiastic union members and supporters chanted “No Cuts. No Cuts. No Ifs or And or Buts!” Some of them stayed at the curb on Commerce street and elicited loud auto honking from passersby. Everybody received a leaflet with a QR code encouraging them to join the national AFL-CIO’s answer to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the Department of People Who Work for a Living.
WFAA-TV gave extensive coverage to the event, but they chose to emphasize the retiree fightback more than the active unions. Longtime union communicators have long pointed out how difficult it is to get pro-worker coverage in North Texas.
Social media bloomed with photos and videos of the event.
North Texas has protests popping up everywhere. Many of them conflict. During our union speakout, another protest was taking place less than a mile away. The next day, three of them were scheduled at the same time!
Dallas AFL-CIO speakers took note of the situation and said that it was a good problem to have, since so many people are willing to join public protests. As for the divisions, it was strongly asserted that the only coalition that will be able to stop the Musk/Trump takeover is one that includes all workers with our strongest element, organized labor, at its core. The movement in Dallas is moving in that direction, and more activities are being planned.
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