In Solidarity

Supports Workers’ World Today

Recently, I was in Albany fighting and seeking support of A1261/S1947, legislation that will create a clear definition of public work and level the playing field for New York’s contractors. District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union (DC9), the union for painters, prides itself on being a strong advocate for workers’ rights and safety. We are excited about this new publication, Workers’ World Today, which covers the issues of relevance and concern for all workers. We are encouraged that all workers: blue and white collar will have a voice and platform. Congratulations on your inaugural issue. We wish much success to the leaders and team of Workers’ World Today and pledge our support.p Davon Lomax

Political Director, DC9

Black Leaders Demand Fox Fire Carlson

On Monday, August NYS Assemblyman Al Taylor, Teamsters Local 237 Presi31, 2020, the president of the Teamsters Local 237, Gregory Floyd, NYS Assemblyman dent, Gregory Floyd and community activist Willie Walker Denounce Tucker Carlson’s Praise of Kenosha, Wisconsin Shooter and Call for the anchor's Immediate Dismissal Al Taylor of Harlem, and community activist Willie Walker joined together in front of Fox News Studios to denounce the admiration shown and dangerous misinformation offered by the popular anchorman, Tucker Carlson. On Sunday August 23, 2020, Jacob Blake, a 29-yearold, father of three, was shot by Kenosha Police officers in the state of Wisconsin seven times in the back as he opened the door of his Photo courtesy Local 237 vehicle where his children awaited. He is now para- as claiming Dr. Fauci is a ing them in our present. Butlyzed. fraud; stating that white su- this is a different time and we A detailed video account premacy is not a problem; and won’t stand for it. He has goneof the shooting emerged on claiming House Intelligence past “dog whistles” andsocial media late that Sun- Committee Chairman Adam straight to inciting violenceday, sparking angry Schiff is mentally ill, to name a and we demand accountabilprotests that prompted the few. The latest outrage has ity; even from a news anchorcity to declare an emergency added to the fever pitch of calls on the number one “alternacurfew. to dismiss Carlson from his in- tive fact news network. FIRE The protesters were fluential post at Fox News Net- TUCKER CARLSON!” demonstrating the killing of work. Assemblyman Al Taylor,yet another black man at the Gregory Floyd, President of NYS Assemblyman forhands of law enforcement. Teamsters Local 237, City Em- Harlem’s 71st Assembly DisSome are defining this reoc- ployees Union in New York, trict, said: “I echo the statecurring action as a “pan- said: “As the president of the ment of my brother Gregdemic within a pandemic.” Local 237, the largest local in Floyd. As a lawmaker, an On the controversial show the International Brotherhood elected official of the state, and that aired on Wednesday of Teamsters, I speak for the most importantly a man ofAugust 26, 2020, Tucker 24,000 members of the Local God, I call for the hearts and Carlson asserted: "Are we 237, largely essential workers, minds of this city, state and nareally surprised that looting who are finding it increasingly tion to recognize that there is aand arson accelerated to difficult and at times like these, dangerous shift in the mesmurder?" Carlson said dur- impossible, to stomach the lies sages we are being fed.” Theing his show on Wednesday that are coming from so many Assemblyman continued:night. "How shocked are we corners of this country.” Floyd “People like Tucker Carlsonthat 17-year-olds with rifles declared: “Tucker Carlson has have plainly rejected and dedecided they had to main- been spinning racist webs of nounced the morality of thetain order when no one else dangerous lies and deceit for fourth estate and willfully useswould?" too long and it’s time for it to his platform to wield lies, in This statement is a string come to an end. Justifying cite hate and justify murder.of many that shows his homeland terrorism is nothing This is not acceptable andquestionable judgment and more than reviving the violent today, brother Floyd, myselfmenacing sentiments, such uprisings of the past and plac- and all of you stand in unity to

TEAM

Publisher Workers’ World Today, Inc

Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

Contributing Writers Marilyn Silverman Charles Tabasso Victoria Falk Erin Telesford Jennine Estes, MFT Travis Morales Mary Campbell Janet Howard

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Telephone 1-866-435-3286

Email info@workersworldtoday.com

Visit us at www.workersworldtoday.com

say it must stop here. Right here. FIRE TUCKER CARLSON!” In July, Tucker Carlson’s top writer was dismissed from his job once outed as an influential blogger that posted bigoted remarks on an online forum known for its racist, sexist, and other offensive content. After the revelation, Carlson took an abrupt one-week vacation, likely, to recover from the backlash. Noted celebrities, entertainment executives and other high-profile individuals in varying fields have denounced Carlson’s rants and have called for the removal from his anchor post and the boycott of his shows advertising sponsors; they include: Disney, Papa Johns, My Pillow USA, Fisher Investments, T-Mobile, Sandals Resorts, Postmark, Unhinge the Movie, Gabi Insurance, Relief Factor, Visiting Angels, Pure Talk USA, Grayscale, WeatherTech and Sure Payroll. p

The 9/11 Attacks – 19 Years Later

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Where were you on September 11, 2001 – the day that forever changed America? At 8:46 am eastern time, a passenger plane crashed into the 110 –story North Tower of the Twin Towers of the former World Trade Center in New York City. The crash left a burning hole near the 80th floor, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more on the higher floors. The collision caused a massive explosion that sent burning debris showering down over surrounding buildings and the streets below. People ran to avoid getting hit by clouds of smoke and falling debris. Reporters and photographers rushed to the scene to cover what they initially believed to be a terrible accident. Onlookers watched from the street as the airplane stuck out through the sides of the building. People ran frantically down stairwells as the tower came crashing down. Ceilings fell over them, and floors collapsed beneath them. They tried desperately to make it out of the building before it collapsed at 10:28 am eastern time. People watched in horror, from the South Tower, and started leaving the building as the North Tower was evacuated. At 9:02 am eastern time, when a plane hit the South Tower, it became clear this was no accident. America was under a terrorist attack. People ran down the stairwells of the South Tower, hoping to escape death. Some made heartbreaking calls to family and friends to say their last goodbyes. By 9:59 am Eastern time, the South Tower collapsed. Some were fortunate to make it out of the buildings alive; however, many perished beneath rubble and debris. About 200 people jumped out of windows, falling to their death. Reporters and photographers captured those disturbing images that played on the news and shown in newspapers worldwide. According to public records and the New York City Fire Department, about 3,000 people died: including men, women, and children ranging from 2 ½ years - old to 85years-old. Reportedly 343 firefighters and 60 police officers lost their lives on September 11, 2001. While civilians ran from the devastation, the city’s first responders rushed inside the collapsing towers to help save lives. Firefighters, police officers, medics, and other rescue workers came together to find survivors trapped under the rubble and pulled them to safety. Many rescue workers, mainly firefighters, lost their lives due to smoke inhalation, falling debris, and fighting the blaze that consumed the Twin Towers. Years after 9/11, there is evidence of lingering negative effects resulting from the events of that day. Many Americans suffered depression, stress, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and even suicidal ideation, following the 9/11 attacks. People who lived and worked in the area near the World Trade Center in New York, first responders, including rescue, cleaning, and recovery workers, developed these problems at a higher rate than others. Children and adults complained of nightmares, trouble sleeping, flashbacks, and anxiety. Toxic fumes, including lead and asbestos, remained in the air weeks after the terrorist attack, causing people to develop respiratory diseases, and other ailments. Many rescue workers who responded to the scene, mainly firefighters, have since died due to 9/11 related illnesses. Nearly 10,000 first responders and others, who were in the World Trade Center area on that day, were diagnosed with cancer. Most recently, on July 25, 2020, longtime firefighter, Rich Kubler, 53, died from liver cancer related to the 9/11 attacks. Although he was retired at the time of the 9/11 attacks, he, like many other firefighters who have since died, volunteered his time to help save lives. He continued working, not realizing the negative impact 9/11 had on his health. Eventually, he got testing and was diagnosed with cancer. He died soon after learning his diagnosis. There is no need to delay treatment. Federally funded healthcare programs are now available to offer free and low-cost medical services to those exposed by the 9/11 disaster. We remember the victims, heroes, first responders, and the many firefighters, like Rich Kubler, who sacrificed themselves to save others. As we approach the 19th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety may arise. The 9/11 memorials can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder—calm feelings of anxiety before interfering with your daily functioning. Uncontrolled stress can negatively affect your health. If you experience stress brought on by the 19th Anniversary of 9/11, consult with a mental health professional.p

A Victory for Students and Parents: SPLC, Allies Win Case Blocking DeVos from Diverting COVID-19 Relief Funds Away From Public Schools

BY THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER (SPLC)

Afederal court has sent a clear message to U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos: You cannot use a national crisis as an excuse to advance your education privatization agenda by siphoning desperately needed COVID-19 relief money away from public schools. Along with co-counsel, the SPLC filed suit in July on behalf of the NAACP, as well as public school parents and school districts from across the country, after DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education (USED) issued an illegal rule to divert substantial federal emergency aid intended for public schools to private schools. And on Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich ruled that DeVos and USED violated the language of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – to the detriment of underserved children in public schools, including children from low-income families, children with disabilities, children of color and English language learners. The decision vacated the USED rule nationwide. Without the work of the SPLC and its partners, DeVos’ illegal rule may not have been overturned – and millions of public school students across the country would have felt the impact. This ruling was a victory, but so much work remains to be done, in education and across all of the SPLC’s other issue areas. The CARES Act specifically required school districts to apportion emergency relief funds for private school services “in the same manner” as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the country’s primary federal education law. But instead, DeVos’ illegal rule gave school districts two options: 1) significantly increase the amount of funding to be diverted to private schools based on a new and inequitable apportionment formula, or 2) face onerous restrictions on how districts could spend their relief money – harming the children and families who need help the most right now. In this huge victory for public school students across the country, the judge’s decision invalidated DeVos’ rule, saying it was not what Congress intended. Now, public schools will receive the full amount of federal aid to which they are entitled and the resources they continued on page 7

Volunteers Needed for Labor Votes! Phone Banks

As part of a robust member-to-member phone bank for the 2020 elections, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is conducting twiceweekly phone bank opportunities for NYC union members to reach out to other union households both in NYC and in battleground states, every Tuesday & Thursday from 11am-8pm. Volunteers will provide voters information on labor-endorsed candidates in their communities, as well as encourage members to call their legislators to ensure COVID-related legislation is passed and signed into law immediately.p

Labor Counts!

Afederal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from winding down the Census count by Sept. 30, a month before the scheduled completion date of Oct. 31. But time is still running out make sure that every New Yorker is counted! Without a complete count, our City's fair share of congressional representation is at stake, as are billions of dollars in federal funding for healthcare, education, housing, food and income security, transportation, infrastructure like bridges and tunnels, and other critical programs that working families rely on. Help us make sure NYC gets our fair share of funding and congressional representation by completing your 2020 Census at my2020Census.gov online or on your smartphone, or by calling 1-844-330-2020.p Victory for Students and Parents/continued from page 6

need to support their students and keep them safe, nourished, healthy and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public schools are open to all, serve the vast majority of children across the country and are accountable to our communities – yet are often severely underfunded. Our public schools are struggling during the pandemic to provide meals to students, access to technology and internet to continue remote learning, social and emotional supports, and PPE to their staff and students. They need our support, and the support of all levels of our government, now more than ever. That’s why the SPLC filed this suit – in collaboration with its national Public Funds Public Schools campaign partners Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP, and Education Law Center – and that’s why this ruling is such a consequential one. Public schools need more, not fewer, resources – period. With your support, the SPLC is holding DeVos and USED accountable and keeping public funds where they belong – in public schools.p

This is your city. Do you know your zone?

Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 to find out what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC. #knowyourzone