Since last fall, PROTEC17 has called for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the systemic violence that has impacted thousands of innocent lives in Palestine and Israel. In addition, PROTEC17 has committed to continued education and action that supports the liberation of the Palestinian people.
In her November statement on behalf of the PROTEC17 Executive Board and our union, Executive Director Karen Estevenin proclaimed that: “We are unwavering in our shared vision that human rights, safety, and the ability to thrive should belong to all people, and we stand firm in our stance against occupation, genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and antisemitism.” You can read the full statement by Estevenin on our racial justice webpage: protec17.org/racial-justice/.
In the months since the violence began, PROTEC17 members have been working to lift up the voices of those who’ve long suffered from oppression by being vocal in our own Labor community.
MLK Labor, which represents tens of thousands of union members in King County – and where Estevenin serves on the Board and several PROTEC17 members serve as delegates – was instrumental in helping the AFL-CIO change course on their stance. In a letter to AFL-CIO President Elizabeth Shuler in January, the council urged the largest Labor organization in the country to revise their statement on the conflict to be more aligned with union values of justice, which it ultimately did.
Additionally, the PROTEC17 contingent of MLK Labor made a motion to hold an educational workshop on the political history of the region, which was held in April. The ‘Labor Teach-In’, was attended by over 60 union members representing a wide spectrum of historical knowledge and ideologies, and was hugely successful in holding space for learning and dialogue.
Most recently, Estevenin and PROTEC17 Union Representative Youssef El Hamawi have been actively speaking at rallies and marches around Seattle, including at Labor for Ceasefire and Labor for Land Day held in April, and Labor for Liberation in May, where many PROTEC17 members were in attendance.
As PROTEC17 continues on our liberation journey, we are committed to standing in solidarity with oppressed communities. If you would like to connect on upcoming opportunities to stand in solidarity, please contact .