AFGE Mourns Passing of Labor Pioneer Paul Booth
January 18, 2018
We write today with sad news. Last night a dear friend, mentor, and beacon to many, Paul Booth, passed away at the age of 74.
He was a longtime DA Partner representing AFSCME and a wise and generous colleague who freely shared his wisdom, encouraged others to ask tough questions, and had an insatiable appetite for "good trouble," as Rep. John Lewis would say. Paul, together with his beloved partner and wife Heather Booth, inspired, trained, and helped thousands of organizers and progressive advocates to fight, lead, and never give up.
Paul was a progressive icon and a leader of social justice movements since the 1960s, when he co-authored the seminal Port Huron Statement and served as the National Secretary of Students for a Democratic Society. He was the lead organizer of the first March on Washington to End the War in Vietnam. In the early-70's, Paul was Co-Chair of Citizens Action Program (CAP), the Chicago community-based organization that was the prototype for metropolitan and statewide coalitions that have spread across the country. His leadership inspired thousands and thousands to make change.
Our thoughts are with Heather and their family, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the AFSCME family.
You may leave condolences on Paul’s CaringBridge page.
