cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/33022943
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Video Description:
Christian Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, has joined the next Freedom Flotilla to Gaza to deliver aid and protest corporate complicity in the ongoing crisis. During this call in to The Jimmy Dore Show from on board his ship in the Mediterranean, Smalls criticized Amazon for supporting the Israeli military through its AWS cloud services and called on U.S. labor unions to stop facilitating arms shipments.
Smalls expressed frustration with progressive politicians’ inaction and emphasized that real change must come from grassroots movements. Despite winning a union vote in 2022, he says his union still lacks a contract due to systemic obstacles and weakened labor infrastructure.
Christian Smalls on Twitter: / shut_downamazon
Generated Summary:
Main Topic: Christian Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), joins the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza to deliver aid, protest corporate complicity (specifically Amazon’s), and call for labor action against the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Key Points:
- Smalls’ Participation: Smalls is participating in the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, aiming to deliver aid and raise awareness. He emphasizes the need for labor unions to take a stand against the situation in Gaza.
- Amazon’s Complicity: Smalls accuses Amazon of being complicit in genocide through its contracts with the Israeli military, particularly through Amazon Web Services (AWS) and facial recognition technology used for surveillance and targeting of Palestinians.
- Call to Action for Labor Unions: Smalls urges labor unions to halt arms shipments to Israel, pass ceasefire resolutions, and hold Amazon accountable. He criticizes unions that are “complicit” and not standing up for the working class.
- Personal Risk and Motivation: Smalls acknowledges the risks involved in the flotilla but emphasizes the importance of standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza. He highlights the non-violent nature of the mission and the focus on delivering humanitarian aid.
- ALU’s Stance: Smalls states that the ALU has been pro-Palestine since October 7th and supports his mission. He clarifies that his actions are a personal initiative to connect the struggles of workers globally with the situation in Gaza.
- Labor Movement Weakness: Smalls discusses the weakness of the labor movement in America, the low union density, and the challenges faced under the Trump administration due to changes in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
- Lack of Political Support: Smalls expresses his distrust of politicians, including progressive ones, and emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism. He notes the absence of American politicians on the flotilla, contrasting it with participation from other countries.
- Amazon Union Contract Fight: The ALU is still fighting for a contract despite winning the union election three years prior, due to the lack of a bargaining order.
Highlights:
- Smalls’ direct accusation of Amazon’s complicity in genocide.
- His call for labor unions to take concrete action, such as halting arms shipments.
- His criticism of progressive politicians for their inaction.
- His assessment of the current state of the labor movement in the US as weak and divided.
- The emphasis on the humanitarian aspect of the flotilla, delivering essential supplies to Gaza.
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#TheJimmyDoreShow is a hilarious and irreverent take on news, politics and culture featuring Jimmy Dore, a professional stand up comedian, author and podcaster. The show is also broadcast on Pacifica Radio Network stations throughout the country.
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