Issued April 29, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thousands of SEIU members, including healthcare professionals, home care, child care, security and airport workers will join the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., and 90 of its sister marches nationwide to call on self-interested politicians who have rigged the system in favor of corporate polluters to start standing up for the health and safety of working families.
From Boston, where climate change has caused rising sea levels to flood part of the city including historical buildings such as Faneuil Hall, to Los Angeles, where the air is some of the most polluted in the nation, to Miami, where climate change has been a major factor in the Zika virus’ emergence and risk to expectant mothers, to Pittsburgh, where storms are increasing in intensity and threatening safe drinking water, SEIU members will join marches in their communities to echo the call in the nation’s capital.
“It is time to put the health and welfare of our communities before polluters’ profits. Communities of color, working families and immigrant communities disproportionately suffer the devastating impacts of toxic pollution and climate change. That’s why working people, like me, are joining together with environmental advocates and other concerned citizens across our communities because we know that by working together, we can and will hold greedy, polluting corporations accountable,” said Judith Howell, SEIU 32BJ member and security officer in Washington, D.C.
“I speak almost every day with patients from the Bronx who suffer from asthma attacks, or are parents of children who suffer from asthma attacks. We know that emissions from cars and trucks on the many highways that pass through the community contribute to the condition. I march because these families shouldn’t have to suffer. With asthma hospitalization rates in the Bronx amongst the highest in the United States, it’s imperative our elected officials start working for working families and not greedy corporations,” said Almitra Yancey, Local 1199SEIU member and customer service liaison at Montefiore Health System in New York City.
By rolling back the progress made through initiatives such as the Clean Power Plan and Paris Climate Agreement, President Trump and his administration are killing new jobs and industries that could give communities the boost they need to thrive. Simultaneously, greedy corporations are taking advantage of working people to boost their bottom line.
“SEIU members and our communities are at the front line taking care of those most affected by the impact of air and water pollution and the catastrophic impacts from climate change. We will no longer stand by idly and allow self-interested politicians to put the interests of polluting corporations above working people. We join thousands of people across the nation who have seen and felt the impacts of a rigged system that continues to promote a broken economy. We are here because our families deserve clean air and water, said Mary Kay Henry, SEIU International President.