Kingsbridge Heights Community To Hold Candlelight Vigil Friday Evening
On Friday, April 4th, the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, 1199SEIU members will partner with the Community Organization Strike Alliance (COSA) to hold a Candlelightt Vigil beginning at 7:30 pm. COSA is the coalition that was formed to support the workers at Kingsbridge Heights Nursing Home; their neighbors, their friends. They have been actively advocating for and helping the caregivers since the 1199SEIU members were forced by their employer on to an unfair labor practices strike on February 20th.
Coalition members include:
- Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club
- Bruce Feld and Randi Martos, Democratic District Leaders
- Cannon Heights Housing Coop
- First Step Women’s Support Group (FSWSG)
- Fort Independent Park Neighborhood Association (FIPNA)
- Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Assn Inc. (KHNIA)
- North Bronx Democratic Association
- North West Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition
The vigil will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in front of 3340 Giles Place, the corner of Cannon Place, where the nursing home is located.
Karen Argenti, vice president of FIPNA said, “Join us as we hold hands in front of the nursing home. We plan to sing and turn on flashlights. Some of us will hold candles. Come and show your support. Take one hour for justice and bring a friend.”
She said of the strike, “All workers deserve health care benefits. Most of the funding for long term nursing care is public funding from Medicare and Medicaid. As taxpayers, we want every effort to be made to help these workers and the frail and residents for whom they care.”