More than 100 people, mostly families from the surrounding neighborhoods, gathered at Greenwood Playground last Sunday to share their stories and collect signatures for a petition in support of the New York City Paid Sick Time Act.
Neighbor Wilhyn Larson recalled her time coping with being unable to use her sick days when her child was ill, before she left the corporate world to start her own business--Namaste Yoga on Coney Island Avenue.
“I would send my son to school sick in order to avoid the barrage of negative comments from my boss," Larson said. "Imagine the guilt that comes along with doing such a thing. It was better to have the school call me in order to pick him up then actually calling in for a sick day.” Larson’s son got his first taste of grassroots organizing at the Speak Out on Sunday.
You can still sign the online petition, located here.
Were any of you at the rally? Have you had experiences where your job made it difficult to take time off when you or your child has been sick? Please share your story in the comments.
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