MANHATTAN — On the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, CSEA Metropolitan Region members joined thousands of people for the National Action Network’s March on Wall Street.
CSEA members joined other members of our international union, AFSCME, and other march attendees from across the country in demanding economic justice, protection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and accountability from corporate and political leaders.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who led the march, told the crowd gathered near Wall Street that the choice of location was intentional.
“We are here to say we will not be silenced; we will not be marginalized,” said Sharpton. “When we stand together—union and non-union, Black, white, Latino, Asian—we cannot be defeated. You can try to turn back the clock, but you can’t turn back time. We are not going back.”
Union voices were central to the march, reflecting its theme that justice for working people is inseparable from racial and economic justice.
“This administration sides with corporations and the wealthy over working families,” said AFSCME International President Lee Saunders. “But our message is clear: working people will not be ignored. We are here to fight for dignity on the job, fair wages, and a fair shot for every family. And we’re going to hold Wall Street and Washington accountable.”
CSEA’s Metropolitan Region members who attended the march linked the fight to both workplace struggles and personal identity.
“We need to show this administration we are not going to sit down and take what they’re doing,” said CSEA New York Metropolitan State Employees Local President Lanielle Roach, an attorney with the Mental Hygiene Legal Service. “As a union member, it’s powerful to see us uniting for positive change. And as an African American woman, it’s even more important to raise our voices—we’re not going anywhere, and we will fight back.”
Brooklyn Developmental Center Local activist Renee Dargan said she came out for future generations.
“This is for our future, our children, our world,” said Dargan. “When we fight together, we usually win. America is for everybody, not just the rich and Trump. America, keep hope alive—we got this.”
Marchers also spoke out against efforts to dismantle DEI programs, denouncing them as a direct attack on civil rights, while calling for a fairer tax system that requires the wealthy and Wall Street to pay their share.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Sharpton. “We will keep marching, keep organizing and keep demanding change.”
— David Galarza