America’s Largest Food & Retail Union, Representing 1.3 Million Frontline Workers, Demands Accountability for White Supremacist Attack on Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million food and retail workers, called for immediate action in the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol led by rioters attempting to disrupt the peaceful transition of power. As one of the country’s most diverse labor unions — with workers of color making up more than one-third of its members in grocery, healthcare, meatpacking, and other industries on the frontlines of COVID-19 — UFCW is calling for the January 6th hate crimes perpetrated by the pro-Trump rioters to be prosecuted and for President Trump to resign immediately.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“All Americans, who truly care about our democracy and this nation, remain in shock at the death and destruction at the U.S. Capitol that was directly led and fed by President Trump and his zealous acolytes.
“Make no mistake, the events of January 6th mark another historic stain on this failed Presidency. For over four years, we have been assaulted by his racist rhetoric, his apologies for White supremacists, his excuse of violence, and his undermining of our electoral process. All of these disgusting moments led to what we saw transpire this week.
“As a labor union that proudly represents the racial and ethnic diversity of this nation, indelible images of Nazi-tattooed Trump rioters waving symbols of hate and destroying symbols of our democracy must be more than condemned, they must be prosecuted. We must not ignore or forget that for the first time in this nation’s history we saw a Confederate flag waved within the halls of our nation’s Capital by insurrectionists and rioters who were all spurred on by President Trump.
“What happened in Washington on January 6th was more than a riot or attack, it was a hate crime – and all these rioters who took part and encouraged it should be prosecuted for these hate crimes. President Trump must resign immediately, and if he refuses to do so, should be removed from office. No matter how short his remaining tenure may be, we cannot afford to wait to see what further damage this failed president can do to the nation we love.”
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UFCW International is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.