Labor, Transit and Environmental Justice Advocates Host Panel on Transit Equity

2/4/20

Today at CASA de Maryland Multicultural Center, local labor unions, students, environmental organizations and community and social justice advocates gathered in honor of the 107th birthday of civil rights leader Rosa Parks, as part of the national Transit Equity Day led by the Labor Network for Sustainability.

In a panel followed by a community discussion, attendees discussed the housing and transit issues facing Montgomery County and Prince George’s County and uplifted the work of local advocates.

This morning, Councilmember Evan Glass joined riders from Silver Spring to Rockville to attend a Montgomery County Council meeting where the council issued a proclamation to declare Feb 4th as Transit Equity Day.

"Full access to quality affordable housing and transit is a top issue for communities of color. As we continue this community discussion on transit equity, we need to be intentional about lifting up underrepresented voices.” - Julio D. Murillo-Khadjibaeva, Government & Strategic Relations Specialist at CASA

“Transit and housing are inextricably linked. We need to allow enough housing near transit to support transit ridership. At the same time, our housing policies should help existing community members benefit from improved transit and new access to opportunities.” - Jane Lyons, Maryland Advocacy Manager with the Coalition for Smarter Growth

"Public transit has always been a civil rights issue. Transit is at its best when it is designed with equity in mind and treats riders and workers with respect." - ATU Local 689

"Public transit means good jobs, stronger communities,and environmental justice." - Tefere Gebre, Executive Vice President of AFL-CIO

“Transportation is the largest source of climate-disrupting pollution in Maryland, impacting our most vulnerable communities, that are also under-served by the existing public transit options. Investing in multi-modal public transportation options that get people out of gas-guzzling vehicles, including a faster transition to 100% electric buses with affordable, reliable and efficient service, is a must for economic and environmental justice.” - said Shruti Bhatnagar, Chair of Sierra Club Montgomery County, Maryland

“Low income communities and communities of color suffer disproportionately from air pollution that increases their risk of asthma, heart disease, infant mortality, and cancer. The opportunity for addressing these inequalities while providing public transportation solutions, including school buses, that are sustainable, affordable and accessible to all, and for improving the quality of life in these communities is one that we cannot miss.” - Ramon Palencia-Calvo, Deputy Director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Background:

Transit Equity Day is a national event in its third year, a unique collaboration among labor, environment and social justice advocates to honor Rosa Parks’ legacy and celebrate the ongoing fight for transit equity. In Montgomery and Prince George Counties, Transit Equity Day is sponsored by organizations including:

  • 350 MoCo
  • CASA
  • Institute for Policy Studies
  • Interfaith Power and Light
  • Jobs With Justice
  • Labor Network for Sustainability (LNS)
  • Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (MC-FACS)
  • Maryland Environmental Health Network
  • Maryland Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
  • Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund - Chispa
  • Montgomery County Regional Student Government Organization (MCR-SGA)
  • Sierra Club
  • The Climate Mobilization Montgomery County
  • UFCW Local 1994 (McGeo)
  • Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Youth Climate Summit

Labor, Transit and Environmental Justice Advocates Host Panel on Transit Equity

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