Skip to main content

ADVISORY: “Black Workers are Heroes” Press Call June 17, 11am

Jeremy Sprinkle
Social share icons

Media Advisory for June 17, 2020

“Black Workers are Heroes: We Need Sen. Tillis to Support the HEROES Act” Press Event on June 17th at 11AM 

Part of the Workers First Caravan for Racial and Economic Justice national day of action

WHAT: Press event with Black workers and labor leaders and a call-to-action for Senator Tillis to support the HEROES Act

WHO: Black frontline transit, postal service, and airport workers; Union retiree and community activist Jocelyn Bryant; Policy analyst William Munn, NC Justice Center; NC State AFL-CIO president MaryBe McMillan

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, at 11:00am

WHERE: Online via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvd-CtpzsvGNGCnqREnqX3JZmOAChPeZA-)

WHY: Black workers, many of them essential and frontline workers, are heroes who struggle not only with the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 but also centuries of structural racism that have resulted in persistent economic inequities. We need to listen to Black people, demand Congress pass the HEROES Act, and come together in our communities to combat racism and denounce violence against Black people.

RALEIGH (June 15, 2020) -- On Wednesday, June 17, working people from North Carolina will join with workers in all 50 states to take part in a Workers First Caravan for Racial and Economic Justice, a national day of action calling for policies to confront the three crises facing America: a public health pandemic, an economic free fall, and long-standing structural racism. 

During the national day of action at 11:00am, the North Carolina State AFL-CIO will hold a Zoom press call to center the voices of Black workers from our state in the debate over the need for continued federal response to the triple threats of COVID-19, mass unemployment, and structural racism. A policy analyst from the NC Justice Center will address how the pandemic has intensified racial and economic inequality in North Carolina. Speakers also will issue a call-to-action for Senator Thom Tillis to support the HEROES Act and America’s Five Economic Essentials.

Additional caravans from across all 50 states and Puerto Rico will be participating in other solidarity actions as well. 

In Washington, D.C., a 1,000 car caravan will make its way through the city to make sure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell knows his inaction is unacceptable, and that the labor movement will mobilize to fight for our health, our economy, and our people. 

Register at this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

CONTACT: Jeremy Sprinkle, NC State AFL-CIO, [email protected] // 336-255-2711.

###

The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of unions of working people in North Carolina, representing over a hundred thousand members, working together for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people. PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605.