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Tuesday, Nov 13, 2012 6:30 PM UTC

Labor heads say Obama backs them on ‘fiscal cliff’

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Topics: From the Wires,

Labor heads say Obama backs them on 'fiscal cliff'President Barack Obama speaks at the annual Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Credit: AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor leaders say President Barack Obama remains committed to preserving tax cuts for middle class families and ensuring that the wealthiest Americans pay more in taxes.

The leaders of labor unions met with Obama Tuesday to discuss ways of averting the so-called “fiscal cliff” and find consensus on a plan to prevent more financial hardships next year.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says Obama expressed his commitment to ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. He says labor leaders made clear their opposition to benefit cuts to Medicare as part of any plan to deal with the fiscal cliff.

Labor and progressive leaders say they plan to make a public campaign during the lame duck session to pressure Republicans to support higher taxes for the wealthy.

Ken Thomas

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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