NYC Firefighters Hold Concert to Save Firehouses Near Ground Zero 

This Monday, May 19, 12 Noon at Battery Park, NYC

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Sammy Hagar “Rocks the House to Save the Houses”

Thousand of New York’s Bravest, their families and supporters of the FDNY are expected on Monday, May 19 for a free lunchtime rally and concert to save firehouses by firefighter friend, Rocker Sammy Hagar and his Waboritas at Battery Park in New York City.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has threatened to close eight NYC firehouses in order to save only $11 million dollars out of the massive $44 billion city budget, with Friday May 23 slated for the closings.

The noon concert takes place just a few streets away from Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center where 343 firefighters gave their lives on Sept 11. 

The free concert is part of the continuing effort by city firefighters and the Uniformed Firefighters Association to educate New Yorkers about the looming public safety danger for civilians and firefighters if the Mayor goes ahead with his plan to close the firehouses.

“To find $11 million in a $44 billion city budget is like finding a nickel in the couch,” said Stephen Cassidy, UFA President.  “If the mayor absolutely insists the city can no longer afford to provide basic and necessary protections to the citizens than give us the authority to solicit corporate sponsorship so New Yorkers and firefighters do not die as result of his plan.”

We are grateful that Sammy Hagar has come to us now for the second time to lend his support for our cause.  Not only is Sammy an incredible talent, he is friend our firefighters can depend on.”

Hagar who volunteered to put on the show for his firefighting friends and all New Yorkers will make the trip from San Francisco to New York with his band, the Waboritas (Jesse Harms, Vic Johnson, Mona and David Lauser, (Sammy’s band members since 1996) for the special free lunchtime concert. 

“ I figured it was time to make some serious noise, just in case the Mayor hadn’t heard the message from my brothers and sisters at the FDNY,” stated Sammy. 

Sammy Hagar is a multi-platinum, GRAMMY award-winning guitarist, vocalist and musician with successes as a solo artist and as the frontman for both Van Halen and Montrose.  He is also the founder and owner of the Cabo Wabo Cantina based in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and the producer of Cabo Wabo Tequila, now the Number Two premium tequila in the US.  His latest CD, "Hallelujah" is available on Sanctuary Records as of May 20. http://www.redrocker.com

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Take the 1, 9 to South Ferry or the 4, 5 to Bowling Green