CONTACT: Alexander Tucciarone, alex.tucciarone@berlinrosen.

com, 646200-5282

PRESS CONFERENCE:
AS STATE SENATE DELIBERATES MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE,
FIGHT FOR $15 ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING MINIMUM WAGE
WORKERS AND FAITH LEADERS, TO HOLD RUSH HOUR
DEMONSTRATIONS ON LONG ISLAND
Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, joined by 1199 SEIU and the
Long Island Progressive Coalition, will stage actions at five Long Island
Railroad stations today targeting state Senators Kemp Hannon, Jack Martins,
John Flanagan, and Carl Marcellino
Advocates will stage demonstrations in support of a minimum wage increase during
morning and evening rush hour today at five Long Island Railroad (LIRR) stations in
the districts of state Senators who have not yet committed to supporting Governor
Andrew Cuomos proposal for a $15/hour minimum wage. These demonstrations,
organized by the progressive Jewish organization Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership
for Justice, come as the state Senate deliberates on whether to include Governor
Cuomos proposal for a $15/hour minimum wage in the new state budget, which
must be finalized by March 31. They follow Bend the Arcs launch last month of
#Jewsfor15, a campaign to support the Fight for $15 movement in its nationwide
push for a $15 minimum wage and the right of workers to form a union.
Were making a splash during rush hour today to remind our state Senators that
the economic security of millions of New Yorkers is in their hands, said Rachel
Ackoff, Senior National Organizer at Bend the Arc. Our state and country are
facing an economic inequality crisis and raising the minimum wage is essential to
help countless families get by and strengthen our economy. As people of faith, we
see this crisis as not only an economic justice issue, but also a racial justice issue
and a matter of fundamental American values. Too many New Yorkers working jobs
that pay the current wagewho are disproportionately people of colorcant
support their families and are long overdue for a raise that will allow them to
provide for their basic needs. Our states current minimum wage is not only
economically unfair. Its immoral and un-American.
There is still time for Long Island Senators to stand up in Albany for the thousands
of hardworking Long Island families that need a $15 minimum wage increase as
soon as possible, said Olivia Santoro, Lead Organizer of the Long Island Progress
Coalition. Soon, well know whose side they are on.

At the site of their third demonstration, the Hicksville Long Island Railroad station,
Bend the Arc and its partners will hold a press conference.
WHAT:

Demonstrations and Press Conference:

Fight for $15 Advocates Call on Long Island state Senators to
Support $15/hour Minimum Wage
WHEN:
Monday March 28, 11:00am
WHERE:
Hicksville Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Station
WHO:
Rachel Ackoff, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice
Cantor Eric Schulmiller, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the
North Shore
Shirley Newsome, Homecare Worker and 1199 SEIU Member
Olivia Santoro, Lead Organizer, Long Island Progressive Coalition
Member
A full list and schedule of the planned demonstrations is below:
Demonstration at Garden City LIRR Station (Westbound side of the station),
7:20am-8:15am
Demonstration at Mineola LIRR Station (Westbound side of the station),
8:20am-9:00am
Demonstration and Press Conference at Hicksville LIRR Station, 11:00am
Demonstration at Huntington LIRR Station (Eastbound side of the station),
4:45pm-5:30pm
Demonstration at Smithtown LIRR Station (Eastbound side of the station),
6:00pm-6:45pm
Following the Monday demonstrations, the groups will also hold a prayer breakfast
on Tuesday, March 29, where low-wage workers from several industries will speak
about their struggles to get by on minimum wage salaries.
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE:
WHO:

Prayer Breakfast with Low-Wage Workers

Tuesday March 29, 9:00am
The Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore Community
1001 Plandome Road
Plandome, NY, 11030
Low-wage workers, including car wash, homecare, retail, and
janitorial staff

For more information, please contact: Alexander Tucciarone,

alex.tucciarone@berlinrosen.com, 646-200-5282
Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice is a national organization
inspired by Jewish values and the steadfast belief that Jewish Americans, regardless
of religious or institutional affiliations, are compelled to create justice and
opportunity for Americans.

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