On March 21, 2009, the sixth anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, the Bay Area Chapter of U.S. Labor Against War organized a San Francisco labor antiwar rally to oppose the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Labor leaders and rank-and-file union members spoke against the waste of lives and economic resources that could benefit working people. After the rally, the labor contingent joined thousands of others who marched down Market Street to protest war and occupation. They marched from Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market St. on the waterfront to Civic Center Plaza for the main rally sponsored by the March 21st Coalition, which included USLAW, ANSWER, UFPJ and many other organizations.

Speakers:

Music: Musicians Action Group

MC: Tim Paulson, Executive Director, San Francisco Labor Council

Maria Guillen, Executive Board, SEIU Local 1021

Sharon Cornu, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Alameda County Labor Council

Michael Eisenscher, National Coordinator, U.S. Labor Against the War

Clarence Thomas, Executive Board, ILWU Local 10

Maya Morris, National Union of Healthcare Workers

Monadel Herzallah, President, Arab American Union Members Council

Ann Worth, Secretary-Treasurer, Sign & Display Local 510

Alita Blanc, United Educators San Francisco

Matt Edwards, Iraq Veterans Against the War, UNITE HERE Local 2

Alan Benjamin, Executive Board, OPEIU Local 3