November 2, 2001

Parade for ICSD Paras Planned for Commons

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Fifty-five groups representing the many faces of Ithaca will walk tomorrow in the Parade for a Living Wage for Paraprofessionals and all Working People in downtown Ithaca.

The parade will begin at 12 p.m. at the Southside Community Center downtown and continue to the Ithaca Commons. Parade participants include community and church groups, business leaders, and members of an ssortment of local unions.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students at Cornell to support the people in our community,” said Lela Klein ’02, an organizer for the parade.

Three-quarters of the ICSD paraprofessionals make less than $12,000 and half earn less than $10,000 per year. In addition, ninety percent of the workers are women, and 20 percent people of color. The paraprofessionals are asking for an annual salary of $14, 500, a living wage pro-rated for the 10 months of the school year.

Archived article by Sun Staff