Statement re: Racist remarks by Mr. Daniel Loeb from George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU

August 14, 2017

The remarks by Mr. Loeb regarding State Senate Democratic Caucus leader Andrea Stewart Cousins are repugnant. To liken an African American woman to the Ku Klux Klan in any context is far beyond insulting, it is the essence of racism. As the Chair of the Success Academy Charter School Network, deleting his comments from a post are not nearly good enough. The 400,000 members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East share the outrage voiced by several in response to his racist remarks. We join Rev. Al Sharpton and others’ demand for Mr. Loeb’s immediate resignation as chair of the Success Academy Board. If Mr. Loeb refuses, we will stand strong with those who call for the suspension of state funding of Success Academy. Over the length of our 85-year history, 1199SEIU and our members have never stood by while others were slurred by hate and racist speech – and today is no different.