WHEREAS:
During the past 18 months, at least 32 black churches have been attacked and burned throughout the South in actions that law enforcement authorities have characterized as suspected arson; and
WHEREAS:
At the direction of President Clinton, federal authorities have moved in to investigate the attacks and to determine whether there are links between the arson and racist organizations so that prosecution can be initiated against any such groups involved in the burnings; and
WHEREAS:
Initial attacks on the churches have been followed by assaults that appear to be isolated hate crimes rather than an organized pattern of arson; and
WHEREAS:
These developments have indicated the danger of organized terrorism providing examples of destructiveness that individual and isolated racists and bigots will emulate, thus spreading the effect of the assault on the black community; and
WHEREAS:
Prompt and effective law enforcement action is essential in order to break the pattern of arson and to demonstrate that the lawless actions of a few racist bigots cannot be allowed to establish a terrorist environment in any part of the nation.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME notes with approval President Clinton's action to intensify FBI involvement in investigating the assaults and bringing the perpetrators to justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME urges federal and state law enforcement authorities to work together to determine possible relationships between the arson assaults and racist organizations that undermine community understanding and observance of the civil rights of all citizens; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME calls on President Clinton and local and state government leaders to speak to the American people about racist actions and to intensify the effort to establish a campaign of understanding among all people, and to encourage community rejection of and revulsion toward the actions of a few that threaten the civil rights of all Americans.
SUBMITTED BY:
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD