Save Chicago Sun-Times Photographers

The Chicago Newspaper Guild, TNG-CWA Local 34071, picketed the Chicago Sun-Times building this morning in support of the 28 photojournalists who were abruptly fired last week.

"The company's move of letting go over two dozen photographers may be looked at as cost saving to them, but more importantly, it weakens the freedom of the press and the positive and powerful impact it has had on our country," said Local President David Pollard. "Our founding fathers would be disturbed at how quickly this important medium was so quickly cast aside with only a few days of consideration and I am as well."

The newspaper is the first known news company to eliminate its entire photography staff. Among those fired was Pulitzer-prize winning photographer John White.

On Monday, dressed all in black in mourning, the photojournalists and Guild supporters delivered a petition to Timothy Knight, CEO of Wrapports, owner of the Chicago Sun-Times. The goal was to serve Knight with legal notice of violating federal law because the company agreed at the bargaining table that there would no more layoffs among photographers and reporters. But the CEO was "too busy" to meet with them.

Send your own message to Knight here.

And "like" Save Sun-Times Photojournalists on Facebook to join our fight to bring these workers back.