US Labor Against Racism and War

US Labor Against Racism and War, previously named US Labor Against the War, was an anti-war, anti-racist labor organization in the United States. USLAW formed in 2003 to oppose the invasion of Iraq and became defunct in 2023.
Notable members included Michael Letwin, Amy Newell, and Nancy Wohlforth.

Ideology

USLAW sought to connect domestic US labor demands with opposition to US wars abroad. For example, in 2005, USLAW stated: "This is not an 'extra issue.' We cannot achieve any of labor's goals such as major health care and pension reform, the government-funded rebuilding of the Gulf Coast the strengthening of our endangered public services, without ending this war."

History

In January 2003, more than 100 delegates from unions representing more than 2 million members founded USLAW at a Chicago convention.
In 2005, the AFL-CIO convention passed "Resolution 53: The War in Iraq", which demanded that the United States "bring" its soldiers "home rapidly" from Iraq. The resolution passed overwhelmingly. This was the first time that the AFL-CIO had ever opposed US foreign policy. USLAW was essential to the passage of this resolution. At the AFL-CIO convention, USLAW whipped at least 150 delegates to oppose moderate language promoted by the conservative AFL-CIO leadership. Since 2005, the AFL-CIO has repeatedly passed anti-war resolutions, including in 2009, 2013, and 2017.
In 2010, USLAW endorsed The Good Soldier.
In 2020, following the George Floyd protests, USLAW renamed itself to US Labor Against Racism and War.