Members of the Staten Island Electrical Club who participated in the Climate March.
On Saturday, April 29th, hundreds of people showed up to march in Staten Island to demand climate justice. Alongside residents of NYC’s five boroughs, workers from several local unions, peace and environmental activists and members of immigrant rights organizations gathered on Staten Island’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt boardwalk. The protesters rallied and marched to call attention to the pressing issue of climate change, while also underscoring the link between economic and climate issues.
Organized by Sustainable Staten Island, a coalition of labor unions, community leaders and climate change activists, Local 3 member Allison Ziogas provided the keynote speech. “We’re here to stand in solidarity with members of our community and amplify our collective voice to call for bolder commitments to sustainable energy. Transition to renewable energy represents not only an opportunity to make our communities greener and healthier, but also address economic inequality through job creation ‰ÛÓ good paying union jobs,” Ziogas said.
The location of the march in Midland Beach, was of particular importance, as it was one of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. The timing of the march was set to coincide with climate marches happening in other cities across the country and Washington. Many members from our construction, cable division and RENEW program turned out to show elected officials that climate resiliency is not only possible, but can create green jobs that lead to environmental justice and greater equity.
