Activism
Longshore Workers, Teachers Join Forces to Save Public Schools and Port of Oakland.
“This isn’t just about what is happening in Oakland — this is about what is happening to the country,” said former ILWU Local 10 president Trent Willis, welcoming people to the meeting. Condemning those who “put greed in front of education,” he said, “We’re up against the same billionaire, John Fisher,” who not only wants port land but is among the owners of charter schools that want school property.
By Ken Epstein
Finding common cause, longshore workers — members and leaders of ILWU Local 10 — met this week with Oakland teachers, parents and community members to kick off a united fight to stop developer John Fisher’s takeover of public property at Oakland’s working seaport and to halt the push to close Oakland schools and sell or lease the properties to private businesses.
Nearly 100 ILWU members and supporters of Oakland’s fight to stop school closures attended a meeting at the ILWU union hall in San Francisco Wednesday evening to begin planning joint actions in coming weeks and months and to expand their coalition to other unions and groups.
“This isn’t just about what is happening in Oakland — this is about what is happening to the country,” said former ILWU Local 10 president Trent Willis, welcoming people to the meeting. Condemning those who “put greed in front of education,” he said, “We’re up against the same billionaire, John Fisher,” who not only wants port land but is among the owners of charter schools that want school property.
“We know we have a common cause. Stand with us in our fight, and we will stand with you,” said Aaron Wright, ILWU business agent.
ILWU speakers strongly criticized state and local political leaders as “minions of the billionaires,” especially Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, State Senator Nancy Skinner, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as members of the school board and city council.
