Statement 1: 

Last night, at the HVALF’s monthly delegate meeting, delegates approved the following statement concerning the violent removal of peaceful protesters from their encampment on the University of Michigan’s Diag:

The Huron Valley Area Labor Federation strongly condemns the University of Michigan’s use of violent force and disciplinary action against the students and workers demanding University divestment.

As representatives of our respective labor unions, we recognize that the freedom of assembly and speech are central to our ability to collectively fight for meaningful changes in our workplaces as well as generally as a means of political expression. The disciplinary actions and use of campus police violence against peaceful protestors are attempts by the University of Michigan to curtail these rights. This has become especially clear after the dissemination of the proposed “Disruptive Activity Policy” earlier this year.

We stand in solidarity with all of the students, graduate workers, faculty, and staff exercising their rights to free speech and protest. We call on the regents and administration of University of Michigan to live up to their values of academic freedom and to guarantee the right to freedom of speech, assembly, and protest on campus.

Statement 2:

Last night at HVALF’s monthly delegates meeting, the body approved the following statement pertaining to the democratic process in Washtenaw County:

The Huron Valley Area Labor Federation is exceptionally disappointed by the actions of Evan Pratt, Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, and Catherine McClary, Washtenaw County Treasurer, to hand-pick their successors.

Immediately before the final filing deadline on Tuesday, April 23, at 4:00 pm, Commissioner Pratt and Treasurer McClary encouraged two Washtenaw County residents to file to run for election to the positions Pratt and McClary now hold. Shortly thereafter, Pratt and McClary dropped out of their races, ensuring that their chosen successors – Gretchen Driskell for Water Resources Commissioner, and Latitia Lamelle-Sharp for Treasurer — will run unopposed in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, August 6.

In a community as vibrant and diverse as Washtenaw County, there were undoubtedly numerous qualified candidates who would have considered putting their names forward for these positions if the public knew they were open seats. Through their actions, Pratt, McClary, Driskell, and Lamelle-Sharp have prevented the voters of Washtenaw County from choosing among a wider pool of qualified candidates.

The Huron Valley Area Labor Federation believes that these actions, while legal, display a deeply problematic lack of commitment to democratic norms and processes.