SEIU Local 21 LA members Everette Armand, Randy Zwez, Quentin LeDuff, Herman Addison, Tiea Silby and Belinda Pidgeon are in Washington D.C. through Friday, Dec. 9 to participate in Take Back the Capitol. These members are joining thousands of peaceful protesters from around the country to Take Back the Capitol and send a message that Congress needs to represent the 99 percent, not just the 1 percent.
Tiea Silby
Over the past few months the country has begun to focus on the growing disparity between the 99 percent and the 1 percent, and its impact on our cities and neighborhoods. Thousands of Americans will converge on Washington, D.C., starting on Dec. 5 to participate in four days of peaceful protests to make the voices of the 99 percent heard and counter the influence of the 1 percent.
“The problem in Washington is that too many members of Congress listen to corporate lobbyists from K Street and their campaign contributions instead of the 99 percent,” said Helene O’Brien, SEIU Local 21 LA president. “Now the 99 percent are coming to the corridors of power to make our presence felt.”
The situation for the 99 percent is dire. Nearly 14 million workers in the United States[1] are without jobs; median incomes for most workers have fallen 6.7 percent in the two years since the recession of 2009[2]; and income inequality is at its worst since the 1920s. And while the middle class and working people are suffering, taxes for the 1 percent are at an all-time low.
Everett Armand
“I’m going to Washington because I’m part of the 99 percent that Congress has been ignoring,” said Everett Armand, Jefferson Parish school bus driver. “We need good jobs here in New Orleans, not more budget cuts that make the economy even worse. We’re going down there to make sure Congress hears from the people, not just the lobbyists.
For more information, visit www.99inDC.org.
