Statements On Orlando Massacre
Click here to read statements from Unite the Union and USW on the recent Orlando shooting.
Unite the Union and the United Steelworkers both released statements on the recent shooting at an Orlando, USA, night club.
Click here for the Unite statement on its website. Click here to read the USW statement on its website.
UNITE STATEMENT:
Unite expresses its horror and revulsion at the massacre carried out at Pulse nightclub in Orlando last week, and condemns this horrific act. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of the bereaved, and with the many injured. We extend our hand in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community in Orlando and throughout the USA and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all those across the world horrified by this attack.
We deplore any attempt to ignore or downplay the homophobic nature of this outrage. The attack in Orlando was a hate crime directed against the LGBT community, whatever the precise inspiration of the attacker. Such crimes are facilitated by support for, or indifference to, homophobic attitudes all-too prevalent in media and political circles. The massacre in Orlando makes us still-more determined to confront homophobia in all its forms and expressions.
Unite believes that this terrible crime must not be allowed to divide our communities, nor to serve as a pretext for Islamophobic attitudes. Muslims have of course joined people of all faiths and none in condemning the massacre and expressing solidarity with the victims. Beyond homophobia, the big issue is actually, once again, US laws which permit any bigot or disturbed individual to purchase deadly assault weapons.
The deaths in Orlando are not a reason for division. Instead, they call us to once more express our common humanity in the face of all those who trade in fear and hatred.
USW STATEMENT:
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- The United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement from USW International President Leo W. Gerard in response to the horrific shooting that occurred in Orlando, Fla., last weekend:
“We express our deepest condolences for everyone affected by the deadly shooting that occurred in Orlando, including the victims, their families, the police force and the medical professionals.
“In the labor movement, we live by the fundamental belief that an injury to one is an injury to all. This event was not just an attack on the LGBT community or on the attendees of the Pulse nightclub; it was an attack on all Americans who have the right to be free.
“As a union, we pledge to continue working to secure the right of everyone in this nation and in this world to live their lives free from violence and hatred, regardless of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or religion.
“In the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.