The events of the past week make it crystal clear that the profound evil of white supremacy is on the march in America, emboldened by a president who refuses to issue an unqualified condemnation of hate and bigotry and instead blames “all sides” for violence perpetrated by racists. We stand in solidarity with the brave women and men who risked their lives in Charlottesville and across the US to stand up to bigots and racists who seek to denigrate and divide this great country.

The California labor movement is united in our resolve to fight racism wherever it rears its ugly head. Standing up to hate is part of the labor movement’s DNA. It’s core to our mission to improve the lives of all working people, no matter their color, gender, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunity for everyone and won’t rest until the kind of hateful display of racism we saw in Charlottesville is eradicated.

California’s unions are working tirelessly to advance the cause of civil rights and economic justice that lifts communities up. Every day, we organize to give all workers an equal shot at the American Dream, free of racial and gender discrimination. That’s a goal we will never lose sight of. And as long as racism and hate exist, the California labor movement commits to being on the front lines to fight it.