Close to one thousand low-income New Yorkers, mostly immigrants from Latin America, to hold march and massive community assembly in Brooklyn

March 10, 2009

Contact: Andrew Friedman, 718-418-7690 x206 or 718-809-7158 andrew.friedman@maketheroadny.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 10, 2009

More than 15 elected officials, including Congressional Hispanic caucus Chair Nydia Velazquez, most major candidates for Mayor, and representatives of City, State, and federal government will be present to hear and respond to these New Yorkers' public policy concerns.

Stilt-walkers, Brazilian drummers, a marching band, and other entertainers from throughout Latin America will add a lively, cultural aspect to the march and gathering.

WHAT:    Make the Road New York (MRNY), New York City' s largest membership-led, community-based organization's 2nd Annual Community Assembly. Low-income New Yorkers will call for progressive taxation, protection of workers rights, vacancy decontrol and an expansion of civil rights laws. People of all ages will share their stories, in their languages, with elected officials from every level of government and other power brokers from across the city.

Members of MRNY will present the organization's "Platform for a Just New York" and hear responses from the elected officials. Musical performances and theater will complement the substantive policy portion of the event. Balloons, signs, and flags will fill the auditorium. The Assembly comes on the heels of MRNY's successful voter education and mobilization effort that knocked on over 20,000 doors over the past few months.

WHEN:    Saturday, March 14, 2008
                 1pm - The March through the streets of Bushwick (8 blocks)
                 2pm - The Community Assembly

WHERE:
The March begins at
Make the Road New York, 301 Grove Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

The Assembly will be hosted in the auditorium of the
Bushwick High School Campus, 400 Irving Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237