Iraqi Labor Tour 2005: Guidelines and suggestions for local organizers
USLAW has prepared this document to help local organizers of the 2005 Iraqi Tour strategize, plan, and organize for the visit of the delegation to their city. If you have a question that is not answered by this document, please feel free to email info@uslaboragainstwar.org or call Thomas Bacon at (504) 897-6036. While planning, keep in mind the goals of the tour:
- Expose the US labor movement to the issues of privatization and the attacks on Iraqi working people that are occurring as a result of the war and occupation.
- Build international labor solidarity with the Iraqi trade union movement
- Present US audiences with seldom heard progressive, secular voices from Iraq
- Raise the level of attention to and discussion of U.S. organized labor’s approach to foreign policy and built support for a clear condemnation of the occupation and demand for immediate return of all troops by the AFL-CIO
GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ORGANIZING
- Costs and fundraising – USLAW estimates that this tour will cost a minimum of $50,000. To defray these costs, we are asking for an advance contribution of $500 for each event. Each city will be expected to raise additional funds ($1000 or more) through collections at events, a charge at the door if appropriate, major donor contributions, honoraria from universities, organizational contributions and other fundraising. To ensure that the delegation visits your city, please send the advance by May 15. Over and above the tour expenses, our objective is to make a substantial financial contribution to each of the Iraqi labor organizations represented on the tour to support their work in Iraq.
- Universities – Try to work with local universities to secure honoraria. Many academic institutions would value hearing the perspectives of secular Iraqi leaders who envision a progressive, democratic Iraq.
- Unions –Work with your union, other unions and the area labor council to secure funding
- Community organizations – Seek contributions from other organizations, churches, mosques and synagogues, local foundations and other funders
- Local expenses – Local organizers are expected to cover hotel, meal, ground transport, interpreter, promotion and other expenses for events in their city. The Iraqis should be provided rooms in hotels. Attention should be given to any dietary considerations.
- Media Work – USLAW will provide media support on a national level. Think about how to get local media involved. Possibilities include:
- Local TV and radio interviews and coverage of events
- Print media articles and feature stories
- Labor/progressive media coverage
- Latino, Black, Arab, Asian and other media coverage
- Coverage in university and college and alternative media
- Interpreters – You will need to provide one or more interpreters who are fluent in Arabic. Keep in mind that Iraqi Arabic is unique, and that the interpreter should feel comfortable translating it. Interpreters will be needed for interviews with media, meetings with union and other leaders, as well as at formal speaking events.
- Types of events – Think outside the box on events. Ideas include:
- Worksite visits
- Meetings with union leadership
- Meetings with politicians, elected officials and community leaders
- Events for the Black, Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern communities, including mosques, churches and synagogues.
- Broadly cosponsored community events. Mobilize peace and justice groups, community groups, labor, and university communities.
- University and college classes, seminars, speeches, and other campus activities.
- If you would like to include representatives of Military Families Speak Out or Iraq Veterans Against the War in your programs, let us know so that we can put you in touch with them.
- Time – The Iraqi’s schedule is already filling up, and we are anticipating that they will not be in any one city for more than two days. If you have a specific, compelling proposal that will further the goals of the tour and will extend beyond two days, please contact USLAW about it. Priority in scheduling will go to those proposals that provide the broadest exposure, significant funding, and opportunities to meet with key labor, community and political leaders.
- Security – Although we do not anticipate any problems, because of the nature of this tour we are asking that hosts provide security. Please contact the local hosting institutions about providing security guards for the events. Each delegation will be accompanied by a national USLAW representative who will advise on security arrangements.
- Documenting event – Please videotape and photograph your events if possible (digital video and photography is preferable).
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