PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 18, 2013
Contact:
Blanca Gallegos 213-500-9594
“Fighting for His Dream” float honors Dr. King’s legacy and highlights contributions of cafeteria workers, bus drivers, child care providers and others to building the dream in our schools and communities
LOS ANGELES, CA – School cafeteria workers, teaching assistants, custodians, child care providers, Head Start workers and other education workers with SEIU Local 99 will join the 28th Annual Kingdom Day parade in South Los Angeles, marching on Saturday, January 19 under the banner “Fighting for His Dream.” They will march alongside a float depicting a mural of Dr. King surrounded by images of education workers. The float illustrates how Dr. King’s dream was shaped by those who raised and nurtured him and how those who work with our children today are creating the leaders of tomorrow.
“As education workers, this is an opportunity to reflect on how our daily work builds on Dr. King’s dream,” said SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Courtni Pugh. “We know that, for Dr. King, education was inextricably bound to the struggle for equality, opportunity and civil rights. This cannot be lost as our schools, colleges and early learning programs struggle with budget deficits. To diminish education, is to defer the dream for our children.”
“As we march, we recommit to fighting for Dr. King’s dream,” added Pugh. “We gather strength as we look to the work still ahead of us to ensure safety in our schools, combat hunger in our classrooms, defend good jobs in our communities, and secure equal access to quality education for all our children.”
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SEIU Local 99 represents nearly 45,000 employees in public and non-public organizations in early education, child care, K-12 , and community college levels. SEIU Local 99 members are: Teacher’s Assistants, Playground Workers, Special Education Aides, Bus Drivers, Custodians, Cafeteria Workers, Maintenance Workers, Family Service Workers, Child Care Providers and others working in schools, colleges, and administrative offices throughout Southern California.
