That was the message of famed attorney Johnnie Cochran. Representative Cynthia A. McKinney (D-GA), Member of the House Armed Services Committee presented Cochran to the Congressional Black Caucus today to discuss a pending class action suit against Lockheed Martin.

"Cochran's message to the CBC was that, there is no place for nooses, Klan membership cards or "Back to Africa" tickets at the workplace of America's number one defense contractor", said McKinney.

"Seventy percent of Lockheed's $26 billion dollar budget comes from contracts with the Federal Government," said Cochran. "We implore the Congressional Black Caucus to help the employees, many of whom are your constituents, to find relief and to help Lockheed change its corporate structure."

He asked CBC members to help correct these problems by publicizing the abuses, and to let Lockheed know that they must address the treatment of it workers, in all of its facilities.

Cochran stated that the current problems at Lockheed are not new ones. As told by hundreds of employees, racial and sexual harassment and discrimination has existed at Lockheed for many years and has been tolerated by Lockheed's management and apparently the US Government.

Expressing dismay at the slow pace of resolution of the many employee complaints and the apparent apathy of some, Congresswoman McKinney stated, "Many measures to find relief to these problems have already been exhausted and it is now time to put the rubber to the road."

McKinney has already met with Dr. Vance Coffman, CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation to discuss the problem.

McKinney requested the meeting following many calls from Lockheed workers who have been victims of discrimination. From Alabama through Georgia and South Carolina up to North Carolina, complaints have been filed against the management of Lockheed Martin. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.) issued eleven letters of determination, finding discrimination and nine of those letters stated that Lockheed Martin had discriminated on the basis of color.

Congresswoman McKinney presented to Dr. Coffman a list of demands, which includes compensation for all employees who have been discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, age or disability during the past five years. "Lockheed must write a check to these workers. It is the only way to compensate them for their damages," stated McKinney.

"The good old boys at Lockheed will now be held responsible for the African-American female employee who was required to have a pass and an escort to go to the Lady's Room. They will be held responsible for the African-American male employee called boy by his manager during staff meeting.

McKinney concluded, "Its time to leave the KKK Membership cards, robes and racists activities at home"

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