Daniels heard about Italie's case in the course of winning support for a battle against his own firing. Formerly the director of the Mecklenburg County Office of Minority Affairs in North Carolina, he was dismissed for expressing his political views in a letter to a local newspaper.

Daniel's statement is one of a growing number issued by people who are demanding that Italie be rehired by Goodwill, and who express solidarity with the socialist garment worker's fight against his October 22 political firing.

After speaking out as the Socialist Workers candidate for mayor of Miami against the U.S. war on Afghanistan and in defense of the Cuban Revolution during a televised candidates debate, Italie was called into the bosses' office at Goodwill Industries of South Florida and discharged because of his "views of the U.S. government."

The company has never disputed the political character of the dismissal. In a statement published in the October 30 Miami Herald, Goodwill CEO Dennis Pastrana said that he fired Italie because "we cannot have anyone who is attempting to subvert the United States of America" work at the plant.

Rodrick Colbert, a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Greater Tampa Bay chapter, and the assistant coordinator of the Tampa Bay Amnesty International chapter, said in a message that "all Americans should be horrified that anyone exercising this sacred privilege should suffer from reprisals, be they from a government entity or a private business.

"In the future," said Colbert, "I hope that freedom of expression protection can be afforded to employees of the private sector through legislation. In the interim, it is my hope that Goodwill Industries will live up to its eponym and reinstate Mike Italie."  
 
First amendment rights violated
In a message backing Italie's fight, Margaret Becker, who is speaking around the country in defense of five Cubans framed up and jailed by the U.S. government, said that there is a "gravely troubling climate surfacing in our midst where people are marginalized, fired, or even prosecuted for expressing their beliefs, a cherished right protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Further evidence of this climate can be seen in the executive branch linking with the judiciary to operate in secret to discredit, vilify, and frame those with whom they or their bedfellows disagree."

In the case of the Miami 5, wrote Becker, whose companion is one of the framed-up Cuban patriots, the "Cubans' homes were secretly raided." They were then "arrested, thrown into solitary confinement arbitrarily, and incarcerated more than two years prior to a trial. Their activities comprised communicating solely open source material in an attempt to thwart terrorism stemming from well-known political and paramilitary groups who operate with impunity from U.S. soil, groups which advocate and initiate violence against the sovereign nation of Cuba."

In an interview this week with the Militant, Italie said, "Goodwill has thrown down the gauntlet to working people and all those who see freedom of speech as essential in our struggles to defend our living conditions and our right to organize strong unions free of company and government interference. Freedom of speech is an empty shell when a worker who runs for office can be fired by the employer if he or she doesn't say what the boss wants.

"The support I have gained shows that when you fight you will find other working people who will stand together."

The Committee to Defend Freedom of Speech and the Bill of Rights has been formed to win support for Italie's fight and has organized a national speaking tour.

Italie has already visited Los Angeles and New York City, and has received invitations to speak in Houston; Valdosta, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Committee to Defend Freedom of Speech is seeking help from law students, attorneys, and professors who can take time over the next few weeks to aid in researching case law regarding the First Amendment, civil rights, and employment violations.

The committee is also seeking help in putting up a web site where information on the firing and statements of support can be posted for everyone's use.

For more information or to offer assistance in this fight, contact the Committee to Defend Freedom of Speech and the Bill of Rights at P.O. Box 510127, Miami, FL, 33151--127. Tel: (305) 724-5965. E-mail: DefendFreeSpeech@yahoo.com.
 

December 12, 2001
Mayor Joseph Carollo
Miami, FL 33133

Dear Mayor Carollo:

I was appalled to hear of the termination of Mr. Michael Italie from his position at Goodwill Industries. Of most concern is the reasons given for his termination. It was not for poor work performance or a poor attitude at the workplace, but for his views expressed as a candidate for public office in Miami.

I do not agree with Mr. Italie's position regarding his opposition to the United States policy in either Afghanistan or Cuba. In addition, I disagree with much of the stated policies of the Socialist Workers Party. However, to deprive one's ability to provide for himself and family by taking away his job is simply not right.

As a candidate for mayor, I believe it was his duty to make known his views on any and all issues discussed. It would have been dishonest for him to withhold his views and say the "right" things in an attempt to win support. The democratic process is for voters to hear the views of all candidates and judge which candidate most closely mirror their views. In this case, the obvious method to stop him would be not to vote for him and encourage others to do the same.

In reality, his boss Mr. Pastrana appears to be displaying his personal displeasure of Mr. Italie's views and with his power of being boss, decided to deliver his own punishment on someone whose views he didn't like. Again, the more effective means of stopping Mr. Italie was not to terminate him, but simply not vote for him.

Sincerely,

Howard Kern, Union Representative

UFCW Local 789, St. Paul, Minnesota  
 
 
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