For immediate release
March 14, 2005
Amanda Cooper
212.332.9376
Triangle Fire Commemoration
94th Anniversary of Workplace Disaster
What: In 1911, 146 young immigrant garment workers died in a tragic fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. This tragedy galvanized a city to fight for labor reforms and for fire safety in the workplace.
Each year, UNITE HERE joins with the Fire Department of New York to commemorate those who died and to rededicate ourselves to the struggle for safety in the workplace.
Who:Bruce Raynor, General President, UNITE HERE Gifford Miller, Speaker, New York City Council Nicholas Scoppeta, Commissioner, NYFD Fernando Ferrer, former Bronx Borough President Brian McLaughlin, President, New York City Central Labor Council -Other labor leaders and representatives of the NYFD -Family members of workers who perished in fire
Where: Corner of Washington Place & Greene Street-just east of Washington Square Park
When: March 24, 2004* Noon – 1 p.m. *The actual anniversary of the event is March 25. Because the anniversary falls on Good Friday this year, we are holding the commemoration the day before.
Ceremony: Fire officer tolls bell, as students and workers read a name and lay a flower for each of the 146 victims. New York City firefighters will slowly raise the ladder of their truck to the highest point the firefighters could reach in 1911, which was two floors below where workers were trapped.
To RSVP, or for more information, please call Amanda Cooper at 212.332.9376.