A-Infos (en) US, Milwaukee, Midwest Gathering of IWW

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All working people are invited to join the Industrial Workers of the
World (IWW) at the annual Midwest gathering of the union to be held in
Milwaukee, June 20-22. Founded in 1905 by Eugene Debs, Mother Jones,
Bill Haywood and other militant union leaders of the time, the IWW has
preached and practiced a fiery brand of union activism for nearly a century.
The Wobblies, as members of the union are commonly referred, are known
for their insistence on internal union democracy; militant tactics, including
the direct action of the rank-and-file; and rejection of politicians, lawyers
and the capitalist system.

The conference – through workshops, training sessions, discussions,
speeches, song, music and poetry – will reflect this brand of radical
unionism. A diversity of musical talent is on tap for Friday evening, from
folk music – including Milwaukee labor troubadours Larry Penn and
Lil’ Rev – to progressive hip hop to reggae. Bill Ayers, longtime
radical activist, is billed to speak.

On Saturday, the union plans to get down to work. A series of workshops
is planned where workers can share information and learn from each other
the nuts-and-bolts of building working class power and bring about change.
Participants will have a choice between an all-day worker organizer
training put on by the union’s General Secretary-treasurer, or a
plethora of other shorter workshops. These will range in scope from
“direct Action in the Workplace” to “The Art of Train
Hopping”, to “Union Democracy in Action”. Socialist and
former Milwaukee mayor Frank Ziedler will speak about local labor history
at the conclusion of the day’s work, around 5:30 p.m. The
evening’s celebration will get underway after a dinner break, and will
include a union sing along and an open mic for musicians, singers, poets,
and others. Wobblies and non-Wobblies alike are all invited to come out
and share their talents. Sunday will conclude with a general discussion of
“How to Rebuild the One Big Union”, followed by a labor solidarity
action in the afternoon, to be announced.

The union asks for a small donation ($5-12) for the entire weekend of
activities, based on your ability to pay. Some meals are provided. You
don’t have to be a member of the IWW to attend. All members of the
working class – whether you be a Wobbly, a member of another union,
or an unorganized working stiff looking for a union (and a good time) –
are welcome to attend. Feel free to come to all or part of the
weekend’s events. Please join us at historic Turner Hall, 1034 N. 4th
Street, downtown Milwaukee, June 20-22. Solidarity forever!

Link: http://mke.indymedia.org/


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