Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
NATIONAL - Tomorrow, in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday, labor unions, racial justice groups, environmental organizations, transit groups, and disability advocates are joining together to elevate public transit as a civil right and essential to decarbonizing the US transportation system.
Now in its sixth year, the Transit Equity Day network is hosting a virtual national livestream on Saturday, February 4, showcasing actions and speakers from a variety of cities and states, including California, Indiana, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Texas. Dozens of local events are set for Saturday as well.
While February 4 is acknowledged as Transit Equity Day, the work for transit equity continues year-round 365 days a year, as people mobilize in their communities to improve transit systems for riders and drivers at the intersection of racial equality, climate justice, and labor.
Rosa Parks’ historic resistance to segregation on public transit and the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott, made up of many freedom fighters of the civil rights era, is deeply connected to the current movement to ensure that all communities have reliable access to high-quality, pollution-free public transit.
In acknowledgement of Transit Equity Day, Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz released the following statement:
“Rosa Parks and many other freedom fighters dedicated their lives to fighting racism in the US public transportation system. For Transit Equity Day, transit advocates across the country honor their legacy and commit themselves to the ongoing work of making public transit more just and equitable for all.
“A strong transit system is critical to slashing pollution from the transportation sector. Ensuring that bus drivers have family-sustaining wages and are protected on the job is important. Making sure riders have reliable routes– so no one has to wait for the bus in the cold or be late to work– is paramount. This weekend, riders, drivers, and advocates across the country are showing why public transit matters to them and how they’re fighting for a better system.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.