FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Trisha Harms
651-379-0746 or trisha@takeactionminnesota.org
December 6, 2022
MEDIA ADVISORY
TakeAction Minnesota, Amazon workers, Awood Center and community members to hold Workers Rising action at Amazon Fulfillment Center in Shakopee
Shakopee, Minn – On Thursday, December 8, over 100 community members and Amazon workers are advancing the fight for fair wages, worker safety, corporate accountability, and climate justice with a public program and demonstration outside Amazon’s Shakopee fulfillment center. Demonstrators will call on Amazon to take responsibility for its impact on our climate by paying for a just transition to clean energy in Minnesota.
WHAT: More than 100 community members will stage a public demonstration and program demanding immediate action from Amazon on raises, safety, and the climate emergency.
WHEN: Thursday, December 8
4:00 – 4:20 pm: Gather & march from Shakopee Ballroom to Amazon facility
4:20 – 5:15 pm: Program & rally
WHERE: MSP1 – Amazon Fulfillment Center (2601 4th Ave E, Shakopee, MN 55379); parking at Shakopee Ballroom, Inc. (2400 4th Ave E, Shakopee, MN 55379)
WHO: Amazon Workers, concerned community members, grassroots organizations TakeAction Minnesota and The Awood Center. Speakers include:
- Khali Jama, Amazon worker
- Jeremy Lane, Amazon worker
- Fardowso Yussef, Amazon worker
- Conor Cusack, TakeAction Minnesota Climate Leader
- Senator-elect Zaynab Mohamed
BACKGROUND: Amazon is one of the largest employers, retailers, and distributors in the nation and is expanding rapidly in Minnesota. In addition to the Shakopee fulfillment center, Amazon currently operates warehouse facilities in St. Cloud, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Eagan, and Brooklyn Park, and has plans to open new distribution centers in Woodbury and Centerville. The company also owns Whole Foods Market, with seven locations in Minnesota, and plans to open six new AmazonFresh grocery stores in Twin Cities suburbs. This is a turning point for workers and their communities as Amazon threatens to grow its stronghold in the Midwest.
- Amazon shares data with 1,400 police departments nationwide. Amazon owns Ring, the home surveillance company. Amazon has shared Ring camera footage with police without device owners’ consent.
- Amazon damages local economies and harms small businesses through its customer loyalty program, Amazon Prime, which sells products below market value to squeeze competition.
- Amazon treats its workers as disposable. During the pandemic, Amazon workers were exposed to Covid at disproportionate rates and suffered increased injuries as a result of the company’s response. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos added $70 billion to his net worth in 2020 alone.
- Amazon lies about its responsibility for the climate crisis. The company only reports the emissions from their own brand label – just 1% of their online sales.
Climate justice and workers rights advocates have come together before in Minnesota to make historic wins, and will continue to work together to hold Amazon accountable for their actions. Amazon workers in Minnesota have been leading this fight for years. It’s time to hold the company accountable for hurting workers, destroying small businesses, and its enormous contributions to the climate crisis.
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multiracial grassroots organization advancing justice and equity through organizing, policy, and campaigns. Offices are located in St. Paul, Duluth, and St. Cloud.
