As Blavity previously reported, Smalls said the workers were demanding the Staten Island Amazon facility in New York to implement safety precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic. Smalls, who worked as a management assistant, said he was fired after leading a protest with about 50 coworkers.
“We’re here today to inspire — to send the message to workers around the country that it’s possible to stand up for your rights. We can do it together and I look forward to continuing discussions with the Biden-Harris Administration,” Smalls said in a statement shared with Blavity.
Other advocates who attended the meeting on Thursday included Laura Garza of Starbucks Workers United, Alex Speidel of United Paizo Workers and Communications Workers of America, Rachel Gitlevich of Titmouse, Inc., and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Jaimie Caldwell of the Baltimore Public Library and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Damien Sowell of REI, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.