CLEVELAND, January 17 — The following is a statement from BLET National President Don M. Hahs.
“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.
The quote above summarizes the shared philosophy of the civil rights movement and the American labor movement. During our daily lives, we do not think about all the changes brought about in this world through non-violent struggle. We do not think about how peaceful protest has shaped the world we live in today.
On the news, we see that violence and bloodshed is forcing change throughout the world, but we know from experience that these changes do not often last. However, some of the greatest changes have been brought about by men and women joining together in peace — this is the shared legacy of both the civil rights movement and the labor movement.
Today, we celebrate the legacy of the leader of the greatest non-violent movement in history — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his lifetime, Dr. King preached that non-violence was the most effective route to change in America, and this philosophy helped to ensure both movements’ continued relevance in society.
Dr. King’s life and legacy are inexorably linked to that of the civil rights movement, but his struggle is also a part of the labor movement’s struggle to ensure the rights of all workers.
King’s work revealed the common bonds between all workers. Both the labor movement and the civil rights movement sought equality for all people — regardless of race, creed or color.
Today’s unions continue the work begun by King and thousands of others by making the voices of America’s working families heard on the job, in the voting booth, in our communities and in the global economy.
The American union movement played a critical role in the civil rights struggles of the past and is steadfast in those struggles today. We continue to fight for the rights of all.
The goals of Dr. King were best summarized in the speech he delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and we must not rest until these goals — of freedom, equality and tolerance — are achieved for all people.