A Statement on the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore from President & CEO George L. Askew, MD

We are deeply saddened to learn of the lives lost in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. Among the victims of this tragedy were migrants and immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. They were providers for their families in the US and in their countries of origin. The jobs they held were inherently dangerous, filled with challenging conditions and laborious requirements. Too often, the occupational hazards they faced on this day, and on a regular basis, disproportionately affect Latin American, migrant, and immigrant workers.

As The Washington Post reports via CASA, a Maryland-based Latino and immigration advocacy organization and Meyer Foundation grantee partner: “Some 130,000 immigrants work in the construction industry in the Baltimore and Washington regions, making up 39 percent of the workforce. Latin Americans are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the region, surging by 77 percent in Baltimore during the 2010s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”

The bridge collapse was a tragic accident and we know that many workers will continue to face unsafe, exploitative environments daily to provide for their families and contribute to the broader economy. In envisioning an economically just future, we continue to strive for a world in which a liberated economy would allow workers to be met with safety, security, and care.

We share in the call for safer working conditions for migrant and immigrant workers and all workers, regardless of citizenship status, country of origin, or industry. Through this and similar tragedies, we see the power in community coming together for change. This underscores why Meyer is committed to systems change, as we envision a world in which all can thrive. We hold our neighbors in Baltimore in our hearts and minds as recovery efforts continue and rebuilding begins.