Press Release

AFT Joins Labor Groups and Americans in
Taking on K Street and Wall Street

Rally Aims To Expose Wall Street and Corporate Lobbyists

WASHINGTON—Thousands of Americans—including members of the American Federation of Teachers—will take on Wall Street and other deep-pocketed corporate special interest groups, at a rally that will take place on Washington, D.C.’s K Street, the corridor for corporate lobbyists.

Wall Street CEOs are spending more than $1.4 million a day fighting financial reform, and have hired more than 1,500 lobbyists. Meanwhile, working families continue to struggle with the effects of the worst recession since the Great Depression.

“The economic mess precipitated by Wall Street is playing out in our public schools—with devastating effects for students and as many as 300,000 educators facing layoffs,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Wall Street was bailed out and sadly went back to business as usual—while working men and woman are still bearing the brunt of the mess. Main Street deserves better.”

WHAT: Rally to take on Wall Street and lobbyists

WHEN: Monday, May 17, at 11:45 a.m.

WHERE: McPherson Square, 15th and K Streets N.W., Washington, DC

WHO:

Educator from New York

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry

Jobs with Justice

Rev. Eugene Barnes, board president, National People’s Action

Everyday Americans affected by the financial crisis

Other labor leaders