Healthcare workers declare we must address the root causes of young people's anger and despair: income inequality, the lack of education and recreational opportunities and good jobs
The nurses, caregivers and staff of the Maryland-DC Region of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East commend State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and the Baltimore area community for vigilance in seeking justice for Freddie Gray, who died from injuries inflicted while in police custody.
While our justice system rightly determines that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the charges issued today against six officers of the Baltimore Police Department, illustrate that no one, including any police officer, is above the law.
Freddie Gray's death has sparked two weeks of protest in Baltimore and around the country by those of us who are calling for justice in this case and in too many similar cases of baseless arrest, harassment, brutality and even death at the hands of police.
"We believe the way forward is through organizing and non-violent protest with our sisters and brothers in the social justice movement," said Lisa Brown, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland-DC Region. "We not only need to ensure police accountability, but also we must address economic inequality and the root causes of young people's anger and despair. We cannot progress as a nation until every community has education opportunities, affordable housing, civil rights, economic security and good jobs with a living wage."
We support and look forward to working with organizations and concerned citizens in coalition to address these social justice issues going forward, for the sake of Baltimore, all of Maryland and our communities nationwide.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in Maryland and the nation. We represent 400,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida, with nearly 7,000 members in Baltimore. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
The nurses, caregivers and staff of the Maryland-DC Region of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East commend State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and the Baltimore area community for vigilance in seeking justice for Freddie Gray, who died from injuries inflicted while in police custody.
While our justice system rightly determines that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the charges issued today against six officers of the Baltimore Police Department, illustrate that no one, including any police officer, is above the law.
Freddie Gray's death has sparked two weeks of protest in Baltimore and around the country by those of us who are calling for justice in this case and in too many similar cases of baseless arrest, harassment, brutality and even death at the hands of police.
"We believe the way forward is through organizing and non-violent protest with our sisters and brothers in the social justice movement," said Lisa Brown, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland-DC Region. "We not only need to ensure police accountability, but also we must address economic inequality and the root causes of young people's anger and despair. We cannot progress as a nation until every community has education opportunities, affordable housing, civil rights, economic security and good jobs with a living wage."
We support and look forward to working with organizations and concerned citizens in coalition to address these social justice issues going forward, for the sake of Baltimore, all of Maryland and our communities nationwide.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in Maryland and the nation. We represent 400,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida, with nearly 7,000 members in Baltimore. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
