CWAers, Atlanta Activists Pull Off Stealth Action at AT&T

CWA Local 3204 activists, Occupy Atlanta and Jobs with Justice held a stealth action at AT&T headquarters in Atlanta, telling the company to stop layoffs and create good jobs.

CWA Local 3204 activists, Occupy Atlanta and Jobs with Justice doubled up on the message that AT&T must stop layoffs and create good jobs in our communities.

A Valentine's Day rally to defend good jobs at AT&T was on everyone's radar screen, but activists had more plans in the works for the day before, Feb. 13. After months of planning, groups of protesters -- CWA retirees and JwJ and Occupy Atlanta activists -- were ready for a stealth action at AT&T's Atlanta headquarters.

CWA local 3204 President Walter Andrews said "the events were great, and gave everyone a lot of hope and inspiration that we're fighting back."

CWA Local 3204 Steward Ernest Talley reported:

"The first group entered the building one by one... and then proceeded to deliver our written demand, which was to immediately rescind the proposed 740 layoffs. They locked arms, sat down and refused to leave. This caught the company completely off guard. Management actually said, 'We weren't expecting you until the 14th.' While inside, activists notified local news stations and sang R&B love songs modified to focus attention on AT&T's corporate greed. This group did intend to be arrested.

"Meanwhile the second group gathered at a nearby homeless shelter, where they started a march carrying letters spelling out the message 'Expect Us.' About 70 people were walking down the middle of Peachtree St., with mid-day traffic honking horns behind them. When they finally arrived at AT&T's corporate offices, they marched straight to the doors. Just outside the building, they formed more messages, and a broken heart.

"While all this was happening, several vans pulled up with tents that had already been put together. We unloaded them, and in one clean swoop, the Occupation had begun. In a matter of minutes we had approximately 16 tents up, and about 50 more people from Occupy Atlanta joined the protest.

"It was perfectly executed by all parties involved. The next day, hundreds of workers came for our rally, in a show of solidarity and appreciation."