FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April Ezzell, 1199SEIU Communications, (716)449-1620

VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

Program will celebrate Dr. King’s work in the labor movement and commitment to workers’ rights featuring keynote speaker NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney

WHO:     Union Healthcare workers

WHAT:    42nd Annual Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration

WHEN:     Monday, January 16, 2023 starting at 11:30am

WHERE:   University of Rochester Medical Center
                   601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14641
                   Whipple Auditorium Room 2-6424

WHY?: 1199SEIU workers will join alongside community groups, activists, and performers to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s keynote speaker is New York State Senator Jeremy A. Cooney. The afternoon of celebration will feature music, poetry, and dance. Workers will also honor the late Bruce Popper, Retired 1199SEIU Vice-President at the event.

“Dr. King had a special relationship with organized labor, especially 1199SEIU,” said New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Labor leaders and the workers they represent were strong partners in his advocacy for civil rights and anti-poverty policies. I am looking forward to joining our brothers and sisters in labor to celebrate and recommit to our efforts to exemplify these principles, including the power of nonviolent protest,” said Cooney.

“Dr King taught us fair equality, freedom of speech regardless of race, creed and color,” said Tina Hawkins, Materials Processing Specialist at Strong Memorial Hospital. “Our children and generations to come need to be taught that they have a voice and a name no one can take that away. And that is what MLK was telling us - that we are important and must use our voice to make changes that will make this world a better place,” said Hawkins.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all. www.1199seiu.org