The AFL-CIO Executive Council passed a statement on racism and equality in response to the death of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin, Thursday.
Their statement, “A Call for Social and Economic Justice for Communities of Color” focused on the death of Martin and the “the sense of unrealized justice it left behind.”
“Trayvon’s death — and the subsequent trial — have reopened the deep and unresolved wound of racism in our country,” the statement reads. “Nearly fifty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, we have made tremendous progress, but we still have a long way to go. Racism remains deeply rooted in American society.”
“The Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act and weakened anti-discrimination laws,” it continues. “Too many Americans are out of work and facing unfair and discriminatory barriers as they try to enter the workforce. Racial profiling occurs far too often, creating distrust in communities at a time when we need to be coming together.”
According to the Executive Council, Martin’s case is a “painful wake-up call” for more action, opportunity and justice.
“President Obama recently noted that we all need to do some soul-searching and start a conversation about race in America in families and churches and workplaces,” the statement continues. “As we re-dedicate ourselves to continue this march, along with our allies, we will heed the president’s call to begin conversations about race with our leadership, members and staff to ensure this tragedy leads to real action and tangible change.”
It adds that the organization will encourage its affiliates to work together to support policies that “that eliminate discrimination, profiling and gun violence and to denounce Stand Your Ground laws that are advanced by the anti-worker, pro-voter suppression American Legislative Exchange Council.”
The AFL-CIO Executive Council is comprised of three top officers and 54 vice presidents who represent their respective AFL-CIO affiliates.
The statement, which the council said the AFL-CIO will take action on during their September convention, comes more than two weeks after shooter George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder charges in Sanford, Florida.