The Service Employee International Union (SEIU) announced today that it is organizing a demonstration in Albany on Feb. 28 in support of Governor Andrew Cuomo's SAFE Act gun control law.
According to the SEIU website, "1199SEIU members are going to the State Capitol in Albany to take on the NRA and big gun companies – and defend the Governor’s NY SAFE Act that protects our families!"
The SEIU event is planned to counter the "Civil Rights – 2nd Amendment Rally" sponsored bt NSRPA, activist JJ Johnson–Smith and the Second Amendment Foundation. The 2nd Amendment rally is to protest the NY SAFE Act gun control law that was signed by Governor Cuomo last month.
The 2nd Amendment rally was announced earlier this month after a similar, but not as well organized protest march occurred on Jan 19.
Governor Cuomo pushed the restrictive SAFE Act through the state assembly and senate in one day allowing very little time for the legislators to debate or review the law.
The SAFE Act has been met with statewide opposition. As of Feb 23, 47 Counties and 16 Towns have passed resolutions or have resolutions pending rejecting the law. Additionally, 5 county Sheriffs and the Association of County Clerks oppose the Safe Act.
The SEIU represents 1.8 million healthcare and building service workers. The 1199SEIU, the United Healthcare Workers East, is a combination of 15 healthcare Locals throughout New York State, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Massachusetts.
The SEIU is offering free bus rides from nine locations around New York City and Long Island and is offering their members free meals to attend. Their online flyer urged their members to attend. "Now is the time to defend the NY SAFE Act, the law passed last month that takes deadly weapons out of the wrong hands."
The SEIU's plans have not gone unnoticed by the other side. In an email message today, the 9-12 Project warned their members "the progressives are organizing to show support for Gov Cuomo and the destruction of the Second Amendment. SEIU has a page dedicated to this purpose and is offering free rides, free breakfast, and a free lunch. Exactly what I would have expected from the SEIU."
The SEIU flyer stated that they must "take-on" the NRA. The concern is that the union marchers may specifically be seeking out a confrontation with the 2nd Amendment protesters.
The pro-gun protesters seem undeterred. "What is disturbing is that they may be doing this solely to incite confrontation" the 9-12 Project message continued. "Don't be tricked into a reaction that would blur your principles and the reason you may be there."
The 2nd Amendment rally is scheduled for 28 Feb at noon on 80 Swan Street Albany.
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