The Beyond Ground Zero Network, formed in the wake of September
11 by low-income, working people who work and/or live near Ground
Zero, comprises garment workers, public housing residents, service
workers, full-time mothers, injured workers, and senior citizens.
We are spearheading a march in Washington D.C. to expose the government's
discriminatory and anti-poor practices and cover-up of environmental
hazards, and demand that the government immediately prioritize rebuilding
people's health and lives.
On June 5 we organized 4,000 people from Lower Manhattan area to march
in New York City to protest the lack of response of agencies such
as the FEMA and the Red Cross to their health and economic needs,
which 2,000 workers had voiced on May 5 at our community townhall
meeting. However, the Bush Administration and FEMA show no intention
of addressing the health concerns of people.
We make the following demands upon the Federal Government:
1)The government must expand the range and scope of existing relief
efforts and set up a new relief program to provide living expenses
to those who have suffered loss of health or income, including those
who live or work north of Canal Street who are affected by the disaster.
2) The government must provide reparations for its cover-up of
the toxic air. Aside from monetary compensation and immediately
cleaning up the environment, the government must establish a medical
institution to specialize in studying the effects of the toxic air
on people and to provide appropriate medical care.
3) The government must create a law to protect low-income housing
and garment manufacturing in our community. The government must
make Chinatown a special zone to preserve industrial buildings and
factories.
4) The government must change the Family Health Plus program and
raise the income eligibility level, allowing all people who work
in New York to enjoy medical health coverage.
5) FEMA must change the wrong policies and procedures of the MRA
program to address the needs of all of us who are affected by 9/11.
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Ground Zero Campaign
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