Bronx business owners, legislators, NYFEC organize conference to call for corporate accountability

Bronx small business owners, workers, elected officials, and advocates from the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition have organized a press conference.

The press conference slated for Wednesday February 23, 2022, is aimed at calling on the New York State legislature to rein in the power of abusive corporations by passing updated anti-monopoly laws like the 21st Century Antitrust Act.

In industry after industry, huge companies have been allowed to bully small businesses through anticompetitive practices.

“Mom and pop stores in the Bronx are being run out of business by abusive corporations that unfairly dominate the market,” the organizers said.

They added that workers are suffering with low wages and poor working conditions as businesses struggle to survive.

“And big tech corporations like Amazon have moved in, resulting in skyrocketing rents that leave tenants and small businesses vulnerable, and harmful pollution that contributes to the highest asthma rates in NYC.”

The Bronx is a microcosm of what’s happening all over New York State, where power is in the hands of a few dominant monopolies. Business owners and workers will share their stories of corporate mistreatment and demand the State Legislature take action by passing the 21st Century Antitrust Act

The conference will hold at New Green Earth Food Corp, 3187 Webster Ave, Bronx NY at the corner of Webster & 205th St.

Invited persons include Senator Michael Gianaris (lead sponsor of 21st Century Antitrust Act), Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz (lead sponsor), Assemblymember Karines Reyes (co-sponsor), Assemblymember Kenny Burgos and Francisco Marte (bodega owner and founder of the Bodega & Small Business Association).

Others are Rev. Carmen Hernandez (President of NYS Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), Anthony Rosario (UPS driver and Teamsters member), Marlen Lugones (Boening/Oak), Maritza Silva-Farrell (Executive Director, ALIGN NY), and more essential workers, elected officials, community members, and advocates from the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition including ALIGN NY, Teamsters Joint Council 16, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, New York Communities for Change.