From Maine to California, nurses, students, HIV/AIDS and community activists, took to the streets today calling on Congress to fulfill the quest of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for economic justice by enacting a tax on Wall Street speculation to fund efforts to reverse inequality.

 "The Inclusive Prosperity Act would make Dr. King proud," said Rep. Keith Ellison at a kick off press conference in Washington against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol.

National Nurses United Vice President Sandy Falwell, RN

Rep. Keith Ellison, author of HR 1579

"This is a holy day, a sacred day," Ellison continued. April 4 is a day America remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It was on this day 46 years ago that he was assassinated, slain while in Memphis to provide support to city sanitation workers as part of a campaign for worker justice and to fight poverty.  

And on this day in 2014 Rep. Ellison spoke of the Robin Hood Tax, embodied in his bill, H.R. 1579, a sales tax on Wall Street speculative trading that would create hundreds of billions of dollars a year in revenue for communities in need, a way to attain the economic equality Dr. King was seeking.

Big gathering in Chicago for the Robin Hood tax for economic justice

Vigils to honor Dr. King’s legacy, and call for enactment of HR 1579 were also held at Congressional offices in 24 cities from coast to coast, and letters of support delivered to Congress members at 44 other offices this day as well.

In Washington, Bill Lucy, president emeritus of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, who was with King in April, 1968, stood today outside the Capitol with Ellison remembering King and calling for passage of the Ellison Bill.  

"The Inclusive Prosperity Act really is a vehicle to continue the work of Martin Luther King Jr.," said Lucy.  "The sanitation workers of Memphis wanted decency and dignity," he remembered.   "Keith Ellison wants economic fairness.  I applaud him."

"The originators of the idea for the tax are nurses," said Ellison, introducing Sandy Falwell, RN, a national vice president of National Nurses United.  

“Registered nurses are on the front lines of this calamity as many of the patients we care for in hospitals around the country are coming to us with multiple illnesses aggravated by poverty and a delay in seeking care because they simply cannot afford it. They have to choose to eat or get health care,” said Falwell. “Too many people in this country are forced to choose whether to take medications or try to pay their rent, and in a country such as ours with such tremendous wealth, this is unconscionable.”

"America is our patient," declared Falwell.  "The Inclusive Prosperity Act is a vital step to funding programs Dr. King stood for."

'Heal Detroit' say nurses, activists in Detroit

Falwell and others talked of jobs to rebuild a crumbling infrastructure, quality schools and healthcare, retirement with dignity, funds for a clean environment, all goals of the H.R. 1579.

Nurses, activists call on Rep. George Miller, Concord, Ca to support the Robin Hood tax

"We will push this forward.  The Robin Hood Tax is real hope for a just economy," added Rep. Barbara Lee, a co-sponsor of HR 1579 who was also present outside the Capitol to remember Dr. King this day.  "The American dream," she warned, "is turning into an American nightmare."

In recent weeks, investigations of high speed trading on financial markets have underscored the negative effects these trades have on the U.S. economy.  The Wall Street Journal reported in March that high speed trading programs "can encourage traders to engage in strategies that boost volumes but harm other investors."  

High speed trades are also linked to price rises in gas, food and other essentials.   H.R. 1579, say economists, will serve to diminish this harmful trading.   That was echoed at today's press conference.  Said Ellison, "H.R. 1579 will make super fast trades unprofitable."

Rev. Rodney Sadler, Moral Mondays leader

Reverend Rodney Sadler was present, as well.  A leader of the "Moral Mondays" in North Carolina, he spoke of the struggle for justice in that state.   "Will we allow the poor to be overlooked, forgotten and invisible?" asked Sadler.  "Prosperity is something that should be inclusive.  The Inclusive Prosperity Act will go a long way to meet needs in housing, employment, education, for veterans and for the elderly."

New York City activists call for Robin Hood tax

Amanda Lugg came to the event from Harlem where she is director of advocacy for the African Services Committee.  She is also a board member of Health GAP.    H.R. 1579 is committed to raising U.S. contributions to international efforts to research and treat HIV/AIDS.  "We can end the AIDS epidemic in 30 years," said Lugg.  "Half the people who need AIDS medicine go without.  That ain't right."

Boston vigil

"The Robin Hood Tax," Lugg said, "can save lives and restore human dignity."   She reminded the press conference that, for 11 nations in Europe, next month is the start date for their Robin Hood Tax.  

The time to join in is now.