Black Trade Unionists Gather in Orlando, Celebrating Strength and Solidarity

ORLANDO—“We will not retreat! We will not surrender. We shall rise, and we will battle relentlessly, even when hell freezes over. And once it does, we’ll don ice skates, continuing our fight.” These compelling words from Rev. Terrence L. Melvin, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), embodied the organization’s resolve against the MAGA agenda through collective, worker-driven activism. Amid ongoing assaults from Donald Trump on labor and Black political leaders, coupled with his recent disparagement of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, chants of “We have nothing to lose but our chains!” resonated from 800 delegates representing 60 unions at the CBTU convention in Orlando. This year’s empowering theme—Unbought, Unbossed, Unstoppable—ushered in a passionate opening session highlighting labor leaders’ calls for united resistance against these attacks. The absence of CBTU founder William “Bill” Lucy, who passed away last September, was profoundly felt. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler asserted that Trump’s recent strategies are crafted to elevate billionaires while sidelining workers, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Rev. Melvin denounced the government as being dismantled