I have been a faithful servant, unconditional defender and militant organizer for my CTA coworkers for over three years. Holding elected leaders in the Amalgamated Transit Union accountable is the duty of the members and I take it very seriously. Many members are inspired by my work with others in the Chicago Transit Justice Coalition and most elected union leaders are very upset that they elected me.

I passionately defended the members and their suffering at my first Executive Board meeting at the ATU Local 308 union office on January 5th. Vice President Mark Weems, our new president, Sister Pennie McCoach were furious that I told a fired CTA worker how many union officials sided with the CTA on the Executive Board. I mentioned how many that sided with her and added that I was one.

I also questioned our so-called union attorney on how much she was paid by our employer after she defended the CTA's so-called "third party adminstrator." This entity plays god, doctor and executioner for many sick and injured coworkers. Their byzantine protocols are confusing and have led to countless terminations.

After Trackmen Rep Maurice Booker and Customer Assistant Rep Corey Carr answered Vice President Weems' call to take immediate action for my removal and "discipline", our new president called a vote and I was ordered to leave. 

I refused, saying that the members elected me to defend them and paid me to be there. "I will not leave" I said. 

She called the police as shown in this video: https://youtu.be/zsYYSpcthQs

This petition is your call to all of the signatories, President McCoach and Vice President Weems: Retract the charges, focus on helping us fight for a new contract and stop focusing on a boogeyman who the CTA mismanagement fears—trying to silence Brother Eric Basir. 

Yes, my personality is strange, brash and militant. But that is no reason to punish me. I stole nothing. I sold out no one. I lied to no one.