For Immediate Release
Contact: Amilcar Navarro (718) 791-9421 amilcarcabral2(at)gmail.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGwaET0xDPI
NYC Socialists to Hold Forum Against Budget Cuts
On Saturday February 7th at 3:00 pm, the “Say No to NY Budget Cuts” forum will be held at St. Mary’s Church (521 W. 126th Street) in Harlem. Presenters at the forum will speak against the budget cuts proposed by NY State Governor David Paterson and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg which include harsh cuts to education, transportation, healthcare and a variety of social services. “These cuts will have a devastating effect on the lives of working class, and poor New Yorkers.” stated Amilcar Navarro of the Socialist Party USA, “Saving money by cutting the services we use daily will guarantee neighborhoods like Harlem, Crown Heights, and East NY will become even poorer.”
The forum is sponsored by the NYC Local of the Socialist Party USA and will feature University of Massachusetts (Amherst) economist, Rick Wolff. Wolff is the author of nine books and dozens of articles on alternative economics. His recent speeches and articles examine the global financial crisis and propose economic policies, which move beyond market-based solutions. Other speakers include representatives from the Take Back Our Union Caucus, in the Transport Workers Union Local 100; the Independent Community of Educators, in the United Federation of Teachers; and the community organization Families United for Racial and Economic Equality.
The budget cuts proposed by Paterson and Bloomberg, threaten the quality of life of all New Yorkers. Bloomberg intends to reduce the city workforce through more than 3,000 layoffs in the next year – with transportation, sanitation and education workers being targeted for dismissal. Paterson’s state-based budget cuts target necessary services, including transportation and may lead to the closing of bus lines such as the M8 and Q74, as well as further layoffs and station closings. Zoos, botanical gardens, health centers and libraries also face sharp reductions in funding.
City and State budget deficits caused by declining tax revenues are undeniable. However, it is also true that cutting local budgets may accelerate the overall economic decline. Columbia University Economics Professor Joseph Stiglitz argued as much in a recent letter to David Paterson, where he stated that state and local spending are the most efficient means to combat a national recession. Saturday’s forum will be a first step towards campaigning for policies which will generate revenue while aiming at making New York a more just and equitable city.
The NYC Local of the Socialist Party USA is a democratic socialist organization which supports grassroots struggles which aim at creating a society in which the values of humanity, solidarity and compassion predominate.
For more information please contact: Amilcar Navarro (718) 791-9421
