Jocks 4 Justice: John Carlos, Billy Hunter and Keyon
Dooling Stand with Wisconsin Workers

By Dave Zirin
blog
The Nation
February 25,2011

http://bit.ly/gcFd4v

Unions across the country are standing with the
workers of Wisconsin against the unprecedented
attacks by Gov. Scott Walker. Count the National
Basketball Association's Player's Association
among their ranks. The NBAPA have been
threatened with layoffs, contraction, and steep
cuts in pay and benefits in their current
collective bargaining negotiations with NBA
commissioner David Stern and the assorted team
owners. Considering that no one ever bought a
ticket to look at Mark Cuban, a Maloof brother
or (shudder) Donald Sterling, their's is a
struggle worthy of support. Well solidarity is a
two way street and it is a very positive
development to have NBAPA Executive Director
Billy Hunter and Milwaukee Buck Keyon Dooling -
also an NBAPA VP speak out on behalf of
Wisconsin's workers. Thursday's late night vote
in the state assembly to strip the public sector
employees of their very rights to collectively
bargain was, for Hunter and Dooling, a bridge
too far.

"Last night's vote by the Wisconsin Assembly was
an attempt to undermine organized labor and the
men and women across the country who depend on
their unions for a voice in the workplace," said
Hunter. "The NBPA proudly supports our brothers
and sisters in Wisconsin and their stand for
unequivocal collective bargaining rights."

Hunter, who earned his law degree from Berkley
while playing in the National Football League,
has been part of the struggle for workers rights
for many years. Keyon Dooling's voice, as a
player in Wisconsin and a leader in the union is
perhaps even more welcome.

"Wisconsin public-sector workers tirelessly
deliver services on a daily basis to millions of
Wisconsin residents," said Dooling. "The right
of these hard-working men and women to organize
and bargain collectively is fundamental.
Wisconsin's workers deserve better than last
night's vote. Today, our union stands proudly
with our fellow union members throughout the
state as they continue their fight."

Dooling, it's worth noting, has now officially
taken a stronger stand than his team's owner,
Wisconsin Democratic Senator Herb Kohl. It's a
stand, at this critical moment, worth taking and
worth defending. The EMTs, teachers, and child
care workers or Wisconsin deserve nothing less.

--------------------

Jocks 4 Justice: John Carlos, Billy Hunter and Keyon
Dooling Stand with Wisconsin Workers

The Nation
blog
February 25, 2011

http://bit.ly/fkzeI6

When dealing with periods of profound protest, it
always makes sense to get the point of view of
those who've been there before. I spoke to Dr.
John Carlos, the 1968 Olympian who along with
Tommie Smith, raised a black gloved fist at the
Mexico City Olympics. This is perhaps the most
famous image in sports history. It also made Dr.
Carlos an avatar of resistance for an era that
shook the foundations of this country. John
Carlos knows intimately the price that must be
paid to speak truth to power. And as you'll read,
he thinks that the actions of the resistance
fighters of the Midwest are more than
appropriate: they're righteous. Here is what Dr.
Carlos said to me:

"I don't think Governor Walker realizes that workers
are the people who built this country and workers are
the people who keep the fabric of our communities
together. Workers are the people of the grassroots.
For him or any political figure to try and cut their
wages, take their health care, crush their unions, or
subjugate them in any way is just a travesty. And if
he really, like I heard on that prank phone call, was
thinking of sending disputers and plants into the
protesters, which could have caused people and even
children serious harm.. Well that would be simply
despicable. I read that the police might be
investigating Scott Walker for those statements and I
hope that this is in fact the case. I commend what the
workers, students and all protesters are doing to
stand up for their rights and I am with them 1000%.
Every person from the world of sports with a heart or
sense of humanity would say the same."

___________________________________________

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