For Immediate Release:  August 31, 2020   

 Contact: Phyllis Shafran  (347) 947-0102             

NYS Assemblyman Al Taylor, Teamsters Local 237 President, Gregory Floyd and community activist Willie Walker Denounce Tucker Carlson’s Praise of Kenosha, Wisconsin Shooter and Call for the anchor's Immediate Dismissal
 
On Monday, August 31, 2020, the president of the Teamsters Local 237, Gregory Floyd, NYS Assemblyman Al Taylor of Harlem, and community activist Willie Walker joined together in front of Fox News Studios to denounce the admiration shown and dangerous misinformation offered by the popular anchorman, Tucker Carlson.
 
On Sunday August 23, 2020, Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old, father of three, was shot by Kenosha Police officers in the state of Wisconsin seven times in the back as he opened the door of his vehicle where his children awaited. He is now paralyzed.
 
A detailed video account of the shooting emerged on social media late that Sunday, sparking angry protests that prompted the city to declare an emergency curfew.
The protesters were demonstrating the killing of yet another black man at the hands of law enforcement. Some are defining this reoccurring action as a “pandemic within a pandemic.”
 
On the controversial show that aired on Wednesday August 26, 2020, Tucker Carlson asserted: "Are we really surprised that looting and arson accelerated to murder?" Carlson said during his show on Wednesday night. "How shocked are we that 17-year-olds with rifles decided they had to maintain order when no one else would?"
 
This statement is a string of many that shows his questionable judgment and menacing sentiments, such as claiming Dr. Fauci is a fraud; stating that white supremacy is not a problem; and claiming House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is mentally ill, to name a few.  The latest outrage has added to the fever pitch of calls to dismiss Carlson from his influential post at Fox News Network.
 
Gregory Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237, City Employees Union in New York, said: “As the president of the Local 237, the largest local in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, I speak for the 24,000 members of the Local 237, largely essential workers, who are finding it increasingly difficult and at times like these, impossible, to stomach the lies that are coming from so many corners of this country.” Floyd declared: “Tucker Carlson has been spinning racist webs of dangerous lies and deceit for too long and it’s time for it to come to an end. Justifying homeland terrorism is nothing more than reviving the violent uprisings of the past and placing them in our present. But this is a different time and we won’t stand for it. He has gone past “dog whistles” and straight to inciting violence and we demand accountability; even from a news anchor on the number one “alternative fact news network. FIRE TUCKER CARLSON!”

Assemblyman Al Taylor, NYS Assemblyman for Harlem’s 71st Assembly District, said: “I echo the statement of my brother Greg Floyd. As a lawmaker, an elected official of the state, and most importantly a man of God, I call for the hearts and minds of this city, state and nation to recognize that there is a dangerous shift in the messages we are being fed.” The Assemblyman continued: “People like Tucker Carlson have plainly rejected and denounced the morality of the fourth estate and willfully uses his platform to wield lies, incite hate and justify murder. This is not acceptable and today, brother Floyd, myself and all of you stand in unity to say it must stop here. Right here. FIRE TUCKER CARLSON!”

In July, Tucker Carlson’s top writer was dismissed from his job once outed as an influential blogger that posted bigoted remarks on an online forum known for its racist, sexist, and other offensive content.  After the revelation, Carlson took an abrupt one-week vacation, likely, to recover from the backlash.

Noted celebrities, entertainment executives and other high-profile individuals in varying fields have denounced Carlson’s rants and have called for the removal from his anchor post and the boycott of his shows advertising sponsors; they include: Disney, Papa Johns, My Pillow USA, Fisher Investments, T-Mobile, Sandals Resorts, Postmark, Unhinge the Movie, Gabi Insurance, Relief Factor, Visiting Angels, Pure Talk USA, Grayscale, WeatherTech and Sure Payroll.
 
  pdf Read President Floyd's Remarks (136 KB)

Watch Video


Leaders Demand Fox Fire Carlson. President Floyd at podium, Walker (left) Taylor (right)

 


Local 237 calls on Fox to Fire Tucker Carlson.

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