Worker Cooperative Conference Declares Solidarity with Immigrants & People Facing Housing Insecurity

Originally published at MadWorC

MADISON, WISCONSIN - At the conclusion of the 5th Midwest Regional Rendezvous of worker cooperators, the participants unanimously ratified two declarations in solidarity with immigrants and people facing housing insecurity.

The Madison area network of worker cooperative businesses (MadWorC) hosted worker cooperators and supporters from Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Madison and Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN, St. Louis, MO, Saint Paul, MN and Santa Fe, NM for the conference on September 19 and 20, 2025.

In addition to exploring practical aspects of worker cooperative businesses like accounting and committee structures, participants also delved deeply into the themes of solidarity, collective self-determination, and the intersection of social justice movements.

During the Rendezvous, participants from Chicago were receiving news of individuals being handcuffed and taken away by unidentified, masked people who claimed to be law enforcement officers, as well as by federal agents. Several of their coworkers who had registered for the conference did not attend for fear of being targeted.

In a session dedicated to the cooperative scene in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN, a resident of the historic Glendale Townhomes presented on the history of cooperative enterprise within public housing developments, and reported that the Townhomes are being slated for demolition and privatization next year.

Following the cooperative tradition of issuing public statements at the conclusion of convenings, Rendezvous organizers conferred with participants from Chicago and the Twin Cities to draft declarations of solidarity with their struggles. During the closing session the declarations were read aloud for the review of Rendezvous participants. Input was solicited, and the declarations were ratified unanimously with great enthusiasm.

On June 19, 2024, the UN General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. In these tumultuous times, worker cooperatives in the Midwest strive to uphold and embody visions of a better world for our communities through the values, principles and practices of solidarity and cooperation. These two declarations of solidarity are intended to inspire and support individual and collective action.

Solidarity Declaration - Immigrants

We, the participants of the 2025 Midwest Regional Rendezvous of Worker Cooperators, hereby declare our solidarity with members of our communities who are being targeted by US government agencies for detention and deportation based on their languages, appearances and assumed national identities.

We understand that the grabbing and plundering of resources and the destruction of local economies around the world have forced people to migrate for their families’ survival and wellbeing. Our communities and workplaces have been enriched by their presence and we defend their rights to participate fully in society.

We categorically reject the violence and impunity with which these mass detentions and deportations of our friends, neighbors and relatives are taking place, as well as the fear and terror generated by these actions. 

In particular we stand in solidarity with the workers and families in Illinois who have suffered brutal home invasions and kidnappings this weekend. The US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s publicity stunt in Elgin this past Tuesday will not deter us in our defense of our coworkers, friends and neighbors.

Our cooperative values, principles and commitments are rooted in the deep belief in the value and dignity of every person and the conviction that no human being is illegal.

September 20, 2025
Madison, Wisconsin

Nosotros, los participantes del Encuentro Regional del Medio Oeste de Cooperativistas Trabajadores 2025, declaramos por la presente nuestra solidaridad con los miembros de nuestras comunidades que están siendo objeto de detención y deportación por parte de las agencias gubernamentales estadounidenses debido a su idioma, apariencia y supuesta identidad nacional.

Entendemos que el acaparamiento y saqueo de recursos y la destrucción de las economías locales en todo el mundo han obligado a las personas a migrar para garantizar la supervivencia y el bienestar de sus familias. Nuestras comunidades y lugares de trabajo se han enriquecido con su presencia y defendemos su derecho a participar plenamente en la sociedad. Rechazamos categóricamente la violencia y la impunidad con la que se están llevando a cabo estas detenciones y deportaciones masivas de nuestros amigos, vecinos y familiares, así como el miedo y el terror que generan estas acciones.

En particular, nos solidarizamos con los trabajadores y las familias de Illinois que han sufrido brutales allanamientos de morada y secuestros este fin de semana. La maniobra publicitaria de la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional de EE. UU., Kristi Noem, el martes pasado en Elgin no nos disuadirá de defender a nuestros compañeros de trabajo, amigos y vecinos.

Nuestros valores, principios y compromisos cooperativos se basan en la profunda creencia en el valor y la dignidad de cada persona y en la convicción de que ningún ser humano es ilegal.

el 20 de septiembre de 2025
Madison, Wisconsin

Solidarity Declaration - Housing

We, the participants of the 2025 Midwest Regional Rendezvous of Worker Cooperators, hereby declare our solidarity with members of our communities who are struggling to obtain and maintain secure housing.

We understand that the speculative real estate market and the demands of cities and municipalities for unlimited growth in the tax base has rendered the cost of housing out of reach for a significant and growing number of members of our communities, leaving nearly 1 million people in the US without a home. We uphold the value of public housing, and call for an investment and expansion of the Section 9 public housing program. Public housing offers housing that is fully decommodified and accessible to the most marginalized people, and we support its continued existence and prosperity.

In particular we stand in solidarity with the residents of Glendale Townhomes and Defend Glendale and Public Housing Coalition in Minneapolis, MN whose homes are being targeted for privatization and demolition next year. We call on the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to halt all Rental Assistance Demonstration and demolition plans, and demand that Minneapolis City Council supports historic designation for Glendale Townhomes.

Our cooperative values, principles and commitments are rooted in the deep belief in the value and dignity of every person and the conviction that housing is a human right.

September 20, 2025
Madison, Wisconsin

Nosotros, los participantes del Encuentro Regional del Medio Oeste de Cooperativas de Trabajadores 2025, declaramos por la presente nuestra solidaridad con los miembros de nuestras comunidades que luchan por obtener y mantener una vivienda segura.

Entendemos que el mercado inmobiliario especulativo y las exigencias de las ciudades y municipios de un crecimiento ilimitado de la base impositiva han hecho que el costo de la vivienda sea inalcanzable para un número significativo y creciente de miembros de nuestras comunidades, dejando a casi un millón de personas en los Estados Unidos sin hogar. Defendemos el valor de la vivienda pública y pedimos que se invierta y se amplíe el programa de vivienda pública de la Sección 9. La vivienda pública ofrece viviendas totalmente desmercantilizadas y accesibles para las personas más marginadas, y apoyamos su continuidad y prosperidad.

En particular, nos solidarizamos con los residentes de Glendale Townhomes y Defend Glendale and Public Housing Coalition en Minneapolis, Minnesota, cuyas viviendas están siendo objeto de privatización y demolición el próximo año. Pedimos a la Autoridad de Vivienda Pública de Minneapolis que detenga todos los planes de demolición y demostración de asistencia para el alquiler, y exigimos que el Ayuntamiento de Minneapolis apoye la designación histórica de Glendale Townhomes.

Nuestros valores, principios y compromisos cooperativos se basan en la profunda creencia en el valor y la dignidad de cada persona y en la convicción de que la vivienda es un derecho humano.

el 20 de septiembre de 2025
Madison, Wisconsin