To all Labor, Socialist and Progressive Activists: We the undersigned strongly protest the Working Families Party decision to campaign for Howie Hawkins's opponent in the race for Syracuse City Council. It is unconscionable that the Working Families Party which claims to be a champion of organized labor should seek to undermine his independent, progressive campaign. Hawkins track record as an environmentalist, labor and Green Party activist make him by far the best choice as an elected spokesperson for working people in Syracuse. As the New York Green Party's candidate for Governor in 2010, he campaigned for progressive taxes and revenue sharing as the alternative to Governor Cuomo's cuts to schools, cities, and public services. He received nearly 60,000 votes, which gave the Green Party a ballot line statewide for the next four years. He is a working Teamster, an active member of Teamster Local 317. His endorsement by CSEA reflects his success in reaching out to organized labor. CSEA's statement of support reads...“CSEA Central Region 5 is very proud to endorse Howie Hawkins for Syracuse Common Council District 4. We are confident Howie is the candidate for the middle class, working men and women and those less fortunate. He will bring an independent and thoughtful no-nonsense approach to the Syracuse Council, something we need during these tough economic times.” In the last city council election, Howie lost by only 96 votes. This year all indications are that he has a real chance to win against his establishment Democratic opponent. We call on the WFP to end its ill-considered and divisive opposition to Howie Hawkins. Jon Flanders retired member, IAM 1145 VP Troy Area Labor Council John Halle Former Green Party Alderman Director, Music Theory, Bard College Conservatory Steve Early retired CWA District One Staff Representative and past supporter of the Working Families Party in Massachusetts

To all Labor, Socialist and Progressive Activists:



We the undersigned strongly protest the Working Families Party decision to campaign for Howie Hawkins's opponent in the race for Syracuse City Council. It is unconscionable that the Working Families Party which claims to be a champion of organized labor should seek to undermine his independent, progressive campaign.



Hawkins track record as an environmentalist, labor and Green Party activist make him by far the best choice as an elected spokesperson for working people in Syracuse. As the New York Green Party's candidate for Governor in 2010, he campaigned for progressive taxes and revenue sharing as the alternative to Governor Cuomo's cuts to schools, cities, and public services. He received nearly 60,000 votes, which gave the Green Party a ballot line statewide for the next four years. He is a working Teamster, an active member of Teamster Local 317. His endorsement by CSEA reflects his success in reaching out to organized labor. CSEA's statement of support reads...“CSEA Central Region 5 is very proud to endorse Howie Hawkins for Syracuse Common Council District 4. We are confident Howie is the candidate for the middle class, working men and women and those less fortunate. He will bring an independent and thoughtful no-nonsense approach to the Syracuse Council, something we need during these tough economic times.”



In the last city council election, Howie lost by only 96 votes. This year all indications are that he has a real chance to win against his establishment Democratic opponent.



We call on the WFP to end its ill-considered and divisive opposition to Howie Hawkins.



Jon Flanders

retired member, IAM 1145

VP Troy Area Labor Council



John Halle

Former Green Party Alderman

Director, Music Theory, Bard College Conservatory.



Steve Early

retired CWA District One Staff Representative and past supporter of the Working Families Party in Massachusetts



Michael Rice

former WFP supporter



Kevin Zeese

www.PopularResistance.org



Angelica Clarke

Staff Organizer & Representative, CWA 1104



Zachary Flaugher

Campaign for a United Socialist Party



Peter LaVenia

Common Council candidate Albany, Green party, Secretary of GPNYS



Robert F. Grace

Retired PEF Division 295 Treasurer/DOS Executive Board Rep.



Nancy Wallace

Shop Steward, IBEW Local 97



Sean Sweeney, Ph.D.

Director, Cornell Global Labor Institute



Ron Kaminkow

General Secretary, Railroad Workers United



Greg Giorgio

Delegate-Upstate N.Y. IWW



Jodi Dean

Professor of Political Science

Geneva, New York



Mike Keenan

Treasurer, Troy Area Labor Council



Barbara Garson

Writer



Rick Wolff

Economist: Democracy at Work



Sherry Wolf

ISO



Joanne Landy

Campaign for Peace and Democracy



Matt Gonzalez

Former President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors



Louis Proyect

The Unrepentant Marxist



Kshama Sawant

Socialist Alternative



Ty Moore

Socialist Alternative



Scott McClarty

Communications Director, Green Party



George de Stefano

Writer, editor



Joe Lowndes

Associate Professor of History, University of Oregon



Doug Henwood

Left Business Observer



Paul Street

Historian

Tim Horras

Philly Socialists



*organizations listed for identification only