U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW) and its New York City chapter held their annual fundraiser in the 1199SEIU Penthouse at 330. W. 42nd on November 10 and welcomed as the keynote speaker Wisconsin Federation of Teachers President Bryan Kennedy. Also on hand were a group of protestors from the Occupy Wall Street movement

Kennedy was among the leaders of the historic takeover of Wisconsin’s capital building earlier this year. He reported on preparations to recall Gov. Scott Walker and the developments in the battle to beat back the vicious anti-union legislation passed in Wisconsin.

Kennedy is a former full-time faculty member at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and has run for U.S. Congress on the Democratic ticket. In his remarks, Kennedy characterized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as “national tragedies as well as international travesties” and pointed out that the conflicts will cost the U.S. $3.5-4 trillion by the time they are over.

“That money could be used for schools and universal health care,” he said. “The wars that we are engaged in go back to the founding of our country. It’s war for the control of resources. What’s happening now has nothing to do with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

1199SEIU Executive VP Steve Kramer praised those in attendance for standing against the wars and reminded them they carried on abor’s proud tradition of anti-war activism. Kramer also said that OWS has energized the anti-war movement.

“During Vietnam, the movement against the war came from the rank-and-file. And with Iraq and Afghanistan we were out there saying ‘don’t do this again.’ And we saw it again,” said Kramer. “We watched trillions of dollars go for war and destruction and not for jobs. OWS has breathed new life into the movement and songs like ‘Solidarity Forever’.”

An Occupy Wall Street activist thanked USLAW members for their support and said events like the fundraiser were important to the movement and also in bringing people together.

“There is a global discussion happening now and it is beyond our wildest dreams,” he said. “Now we all need to march together and retake our country.”

Attendees were also treated to a performance by the New York City Labor Chorus.