Good Afternoon. Today, I stand here in solidarity with the Williamsburg 7, Engine Company 212 Community Action Group, the People's Firehouse, and all who believe in fairness, equity and justice.

The Williamsburg 7 - as they have been coined - are all passionate, responsible and respected leaders of the Northside Williamsburg community. They care about their community. They live and work in the community. They are stakeholders who give freely of their time and always volunteer to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.

On May 25th, 2003, these concerned citizens were arrested for standing up for the greater good - for the public good - of the Williamsburg community. Their attempts to negotiate in good faith with the City Administration regarding the closing of Engine Company 212 resulted in no response. The Williamsburg 7 - like many of the homeowners, residents, schools, and small businesses - know that public safety should be the City's number one job.

The Williamsburg 7 passionately stood before Engine Company 212 to protect it and, unfortunately, were arrested. It is unjust that people of goodwill - who only wanted to avert harm and protect the community from loss of property and loss of life - are now faced with a court trial.

My friends - I ask you, where is the justice? The only wrong committed by the Williamsburg 7 was that they wanted fire protection in their community. They wanted to have a firehouse that would protect them from fires and other life threatening events. Being that there are 2 million gallons of oil and gas stored in above-ground tanks within just 2,000 feet of Engine 212 - the proposal to close it was - and still is - absurd! Firefighters themselves have testified that even just 30 seconds can make a difference in saving lives.

Prosecuting individuals and organizations for free speech-related activities and civil, peaceful disobedience is an injustice. Peaceful public protest for the greater good is an American tradition that dates back to the civil rights movement and beyond. It is unjust to prosecute for defending a community's right to public safety and fire protection.

The closing of this fire station is certainly a matter of life and death. I will continue to fight in Washington and urge the Department of Homeland Security to allocate funding to reopen Engine Company 212. Our community cannot afford another fire like the recent one on Herbert Street in which 29 families were impacted.

In closing, I urge all people who believe in the right to peaceful protest to join the Williamsburg 7 tomorrow morning at the Kings County Criminal Court in the name of justice!