Assembly Quote by George Meany
“One cannot have a trade union or a democratic election without freedom of speech, freedom of association and assembly. Without a democratic election, whereby people choose and remove their rulers, there is no method of securing human rights against the state. No democracy without human rights, no human rights without democracy, and no trade union rights without either. That is our belief; that is our creed.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Labor union conference, 1970
Freedom of speech, association, and assembly are prerequisites for democratic elections, human rights, and trade union rights.
In simple terms: Free speech and association are needed for democracy and rights.
Key Takeaway
Protect free speech and association to safeguard democracy.
Themes
democracy
human rights
labor rights
Mood
serious
hopeful
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- union organizing
- voting
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
freedom of expression
collective bargaining
political participation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies strengthen these freedoms?
- What role do unions play in protecting rights today?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate other factors influencing democracy.
![“Mac [Barnett] and I prank each other during our presentation. We show baby pictures of each other looking completely ridiculous. I can't believe the frilly shirt that I'm in, and Mac's wearing a sailor suit and playing a toy piano. That's a perfect example of a good prank, where we have three…” quote by Jory John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afb/jory-john-60334_assembly_mac-barnett-and-i-prank-each-other-durin_50495.jpg)
