The AFT Michigan Administrative Board adopted the following resolution at its June 17, 2024 meeting:
AFT Michigan recognizes the devastating impacts of war on children, families, educators, support staff, healthcare workers, and people all over the world, especially as they begin to find homes and settle abroad, including in our classrooms and clinical settings here in Michigan.
Our members come from diverse backgrounds. Working people around the world want and deserve to live free from the effects of violence, war and militarization. The rising escalation of war and arms sales doesn’t serve the interests of workers anywhere.
AFT Michigan joins our national union’s call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and statement Condemning Hate and Affirming Freedom of Speech on Campus.
In addition, AFT Michigan will:
- Work within the national AFT to strengthen our union’s opposition to the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including:
- Ensuring all Israeli and Palestinian hostages and prisoners are returned home to their families;
- Expediting progress toward a two-state solution through U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state; and
- Calling on the U.S. to actively intervene to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure the safe distribution of humanitarian aid to the entire region.
- Support our members’ right to engage in nonviolent protest, including but not limited to, in support of Palestinian rights.
- Identify opportunities for Arab Americans and Jewish Americans to engage in dialogue aimed at promoting mutual understanding and searching for solidarity in a shared future.
- Develop resources to educate members on the struggle of the Palestinian people for justice and equality since 1948, and encourage our members and affiliated organizations to engage in dialogue, education, and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting understanding and solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for justice and equality.
