UNION STRONG, UNION PROUD: Labor Day Parade 2019

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By MIKE LEE

Thousands of union members and supporters marched up Fifth Avenue Sept. 7 to show the world that they are working together to build worker power in New York York City.

Throughout the day, midtown Manhattan thundered with the sounds of labor unity and activism.

DC 37 members filled 48th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. for more than two hours before marching behind a banner that declared, “Never Quit!”

Bolstered by the recent, historic unification of DC 1707’s private sector workers and DC 37’s public employees, members chanted, danced and celebrated worker pride.

Led by Executive Director Henry Garrido, DC 37 marched as a single mass, a defiant force showing its enhanced power.

In what has become a tradition in recent years, members took the opportunity to boo loudly as they passed Trump Tower.

More than a dozen elected officials stopped by in solidarity to pay their respects to DC 37 members: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer; U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney; state Assembly members Latrice Walker, Catalina Cruz, Richard Gottfried, Michael Blake, Alicia Hyman; state Sens. Zellnor Myrie, Diane Savino; and New York City Council members Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Diana Ayala, Carlina Rivera and Mathieu Eugene.

See DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido with New York Sen. Charles Schumer at the Labor Day Parade.

At a time when it is needed the most, the energy generated by the  march signaled the increased power of DC 37 as it moves on to new challenges.

“We are stronger than ever,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “We’ve stood up and won before, but now we can continue the fight to build our power as a voice to defend and expand workers’ rights and protect our benefits.”

 

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