New York City Council Declares Dec 1 “Rosa Parks Day”; Calls on businesses and schools to close

New York City Council Declares Dec 1 “Rosa Parks Day”
Calls on businesses and schools to close

Massive March and Rally on Wall Street Against Poverty, Racism, and War
Wall St. & Broadway Dec 1, 3:00 – 6:00 pm

December 1, 2005--Today the New York City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring December 1 “Rosa Parks Day.” December 1 is the 50th anniversary of the day that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, an act that launched the modern Civil Rights Movement.

The Resolution also calls on businesses and schools in New York City to close or to allow people to leave to attend a Rosa Parks National Day of Absence Against Poverty, Racism, and War, which begins at 3:00 on Wall Street and Broadway in Manhattan.

City Council member Charles Barron, sponsor of the resolution, said that in the face of the ongoing war and occupation and the government’s racism and neglect in the face of Hurricane Katrina, that “It’s time for everyone to have a Rosa Parks moment. All it takes is courage and determination.” Barron will be one of the keynote speakers at tomorrow’s Wall Street rally.

Leilani Dowell, a youth organizer for the Rosa Parks Anniversary Coalition said, “Tomorrow, we’re calling for everyone to walkout, to leave early, to do whatever they have to do to join us on Wall Street to honor Rosa Parks by continuing the struggle.”

City Council to declare Rosa Parks Day Urging businesses to let workers off early to attend Wall St. rally

Press Conference
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
1:00 pm
Steps of NY City Hall

On Wednesday, November 30, members of the NY City Council will join Civil Rights leaders, community organizers, members of the clergy, and antiwar activists to declare December 1 “Rosa Parks Day.” Last week, the subcommittee on cultural affairs unanimously passed the resolution and it will go before the full Council on Wednesday.

The Resolution will also ask businesses to close or to allow workers to leave early to attend the Rosa Parks National day of Absence Against Poverty, Racism, and War to be held on Wall Street on Thursday, December 1.

City Council Member Charles Barron has already sent letters to the NY Stock Exchange, the Greater NY Chamber of Commerce, the DownTown Alliance, and the Fulton St. Business Improvement Association asking them to allow workers to attend the Wall Street event.

New York city Council Member Charles Barron, the primary sponsor of the Rosa Parks resolution said, "Rosa Parks was a revolutionary and the best way to honor her is to inspire everyone to intensify the struggle against racism and injustice."

Barron continued, "The government's response to the Katrina hurricane has made it clear that reviving and broadening the movement against poverty and racism is our most urgent task."

Rosa Parks Day Memorial Committee
39 W. 14th St. #206
NY NY 10011
www.RosaParksDay.org 212-633-6646

Media Contact: Larry Holmes 212.633.6646 Dustin Langley 917.293.1138