On July 1, 1999 an estimated 2,500 NY Carpenters, ignored torrential rains to march across the Brooklyn Bridge to Federal Judge Haights Court, demanding the right to vote, and protesting the UBC’s treatment of Retirees.

At the Federal Courthouse , the rain subsided, and Mike Forde worked the crowd, saying "I told you I’d be here." While running for EST, Mike bragged about being the
only BA on the Bridge march. However, no one recalled seeing Brother Forde on the Bridge, and he was dry as a bone at the courthouse.