Statement on Recent Actions Targeting Ohio Organizing Collaborative

We are deeply concerned by reports that federal agents have visited the homes and worksites of employees, volunteers, canvassers, and community activists associated with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, seeking to question individuals engaged in voter registration and civic engagement work without warrants.

We condemn these actions, which threaten to intimidate volunteers and suppress civic participation. We not only have a right to organize, advocate, and participate in civic life—our democracy depends on it.

Just days ago, delegates to the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention adopted resolutions reaffirming our movement's commitment to defending democracy, protecting voting rights and civil rights, expanding civic participation, and ensuring that working people have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Today, we carry those words forward by adding our voice to the growing number of community leaders demanding answers.

We stand in solidarity with everyone working to engage their communities, and we encourage every eligible voter to make their voice heard — now more than ever. We stand with the Workers United staff members at OOC, and we will continue to stand with them in the days ahead.

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Contact: Brian Pearson, bpearson@clevelandaflcio.org