‘Harry Belafonte was a pioneering artist, social justice warrior and healthcare champion’

1199SEIU President George Gresham offered the following statement on the passing of Harry Belafonte:

1199SEIU healthcare workers mourn the passing of our beloved Mr. B.

Harry Belafonte was a pioneering artist, social justice warrior and healthcare champion. His lifelong commitment to advancing freedom and equality — often risking his own career and livelihood in the process — is testament to his character and courage.

I cannot think of a social justice movement in my lifetime that didn’t have Mr. B behind it in some way.

As a child, I recall sitting with my family watching Dr. King’s funeral on television, Mr. B by Coretta Scott King’s side, and my father teaching me about his commitment to the civil rights cause.

That I would decades later be able to call Harry Belafonte my friend has been one of the great privileges of my life.

He was an amazing man, a man of history and his legacy will live on through the millions of people he has inspired to fight for a better world.

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. It represents more than 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida.