From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sunday, May 16, 2021, 3-4 PM. Zoom Link to come
Agenda: Center for Community Alternatives representative Nyatwa Bullock will present on CCA’s campaigns for parole reform and clean slate, two components of the Justice Road Map. See the Justice Road Map Here and the CCA site Here.
Some committees, including Climate Justice and SLAT, will meet at 4 PM after the full coalition meeting.
NOTE: Revised Meeting Schedule: Upcoming Meetings: 5/16/21, 6/6/21, 6/27/21 Newly scheduled: 7/18, 8/15, 9/12, 9/26/21. We are considering the possibilities for in-person meetings. Committees will meet on their own for the summer months.
Announcements from our Committees:
You can sign up for the mailing lists of each of the committees. Email your request to the contact person listed.
Indivisible NY24: Contact: Deborah Rose: dcurryrose@gmail.com
Next Meeting: 5/11, 7 PM. Agenda: Report back on 4/28 meeting with Sen Schumer’s staff; Assessment of 5/8 action; etc.
Climate Justice: Contact: Kitty Burns – otiscohills@yahoo.com
Next Meeting: Sunday May 16, 4PM, at the end of the CNY Solidarity meeting. Agenda: Next actions to support the CCIA, including a telephone blitz to state representatives, and any other meetings with state reps.
SLAT (State/Local Action Team), with DSA Allies. Contact: Peter McCarthy – pmccar1100@gmail.com
Next Meeting: Sunday May 16, 4PM, at the end of the CNY Solidarity meeting. Agenda: Next steps in NY Health Act campaign.
Beyond War and Militarism. A joint committee of CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council. Contact: Ron Van Norstrand; ron@vannorstrandlaw.com
Next meeting: May 26 at 3pm. Agenda: the broad impact of War and Militarism on climate, policing, social justice endeavors, etc.
Update–NY HEALTH ACT
For the first time, a majority of state legislators in the Assembly and Senate are supporting the NY Health Act (A6058/S5474) , which makes healthcare a guaranteed right to all NYers by setting up a comprehensive universal, single-payer healthcare program (learn more about the Health Act here). However, bill introduction is not assured – see New York State Could Finally Get Single-Payer Health Careby Liza Featherstone in Jacobin. The New York Health Act will provide comprehensive, universal health coverage — including long-term care — for every resident of New York.
Here’s how you can help:
- Insist that Senator Mannion and other CNY Legislators pass the NY Health Act. Use this tool from the Campaign for NY Health to contact them.Sen. Mannion is not yet a cosponsor. Senator May and Assemblymembers Hunter, Stirpe and Magnarelli are longtime co-sponsors – please thank them and urge them to push for a vote this session.
- Share your healthcare story with the Campaign for NY Health.
- Write a letter to the editor – many resources (and media contact info) here.
- Sign the petition to #PassNYHealth
- Would your business or organization like to endorse? Click here.
- Send an organizational memo of support to your legislators.
- Volunteers are needed for phone banking every Monday and Thursday in May at 6pm. RSVP here(scroll down to the date you want).
Join us for a Healthcare Town Hall! Tuesday May 18th 6-7 PM on Zoom and Facebook. Mobilize your networks! https://fb.me/e/4azs5J8S0 See May 18 event below.
Stop the Violent Repression in Columbia!
Please take action via the Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective demanding that the U.S. government take action to condemn and stop the Colombia government’s brutal violence against Colombian social movements: https://tinyurl.com/2kcen2k7
The U.S. government has been a primary financier the Colombian military through decades of military aid and arms sales.
Articles of the Week:
For regular updates on movements for peace, social justice, and related issues, sign up for the Syracuse Peace Council’s online Peace Newsletter. Email carol@peacecouncil.net or michaela@peacecouncil.net.
And while you’re at it, send them some money! http://peacecouncil.net/donate
“Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes FY2022,” published yearly by the War Resisters League is a great two-pager with an eye-opening pie chart (with info on how the figures were determined) on one page and “Rethink Defense” and what you can do on the other. Download the pdf.
Pentagon Spending Fact Sheet, put out by National Peace Action, is two-page pdf that graphically illustrates that the U.S. spends more on its military than the next ten countries combined.
We know how pervasive racism is in housing. Here’s a glaring example. Read it Here
Home Valuation Jumps By More Than $100K After Black Woman Removes Family Photos and Asks White Male Friend to Sit In on Appraisal: ‘That Part Hurts’
An Indianapolis woman has filed a complaint in conjunction with the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana after her home valuation jumped by $100,000 when she removed Black identifiers from her home and had a white friend sit in for her during the appraisal.
Republicans Will Punish Democrats for Every Reform They Make
But that shouldn’t stop Democrats from embracing big and sweeping changes while they can.
Read it In The Nation
The basic argument from conservative Democrats is that the party should be cautious in its use of power. Taking aggressive, provocative actions, like ending or reforming the filibuster, might encourage Republicans to use power viciously should they ever get it again. But that argument is ludicrous. It proceeds from the false premise that Republicans are restrained by what Democrats are willing to do. The truth is that Republicans are restrained only by what their racist white voters will allow, and those voters have proved time and again that they will allow anything…
Migration and the climate emergency are not separate issues. This DemocracyNow interview with Camila Bustos, human rights associate at the University Network for Human Rights looks at the link between migration and the climate emergency, which studies have estimated could displace over 200 million people by 2050, including many in Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Watch, read or listen to “Shelter from the Storm”: Climate Change Is a Driving Force in Central American Migration
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Bi-Weekly General Meeting: SIRDN
Tuesday, May 11 AT 5:30 PM EDT – 7:30 PM EDT
Event by Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network
Join SIRDN for our next bi-weekly general meeting! We will be providing updates on our campaigns and the activities of our working groups, including solidarity fundraising, ongoing legislative advocacy campaigns, and other efforts to support the work of the Workers Center of Central New York. New members are always welcome. Meetings conducted in English and Spanish w/ interpretation.
For Zoom information, please send us a Facebook message or email us at sirdn315@gmail.com.
The Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network works for immigration justice in Central New York and beyond through organizing, advocacy, and solidarity support for directly affected individuals and their families. We center the leadership of staff and members of the Workers’ Center of Central New York and strive to show up as allies and accomplices in the fight for human dignity for all people regardless of their citizenship status.
Constituent Services Day with NYS Senator Rachel May and Syracuse Common Councilor at Large Rita Paniagua
May 12th, from 11 AM – 3 PM at the Spanish Action League.
We will be offering support with open unemployment cases, as well as support in residential issues & open DSS cases. We will also be distributing food boxes, offer COVID-19 vaccine registration, and back to school information for SCSD students. Join us!
Upcoming Online National Conference: Prohibiting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons.
May 15, 12:30-5pm. Register here. Many co-sponsors. Speakers and breakout groups.
These are the stakes: A nuclear exchange between the US and Russia would incinerate hundreds of millions of people immediately, and lead to a Nuclear Winter which would slaughter an estimated 7 billion of the Earth’s 7.7 billion people, mostly through starvation. Building back civilization would require over 1,000 years [Daniel Ellsberg, 12/13/2020]. A US nuclear strike against China would result in a similar catastrophe.
Civic Saturdays: Meet the Candidates running in your local elections!
Saturday, May 15, 2021. 12-5 PM
Key Bank Parking Lot, 2209 S. Salina St.
Sponsors: TNT and NAN
Please join us for a day of fun with a purpose! Free food, entertainment, and candidate information!
Learn why participation in your local elections is important: Local elections have local consequences!
· Voter Registration
· Voter Education
· Participation
Must wear face masks. Sanitizer provided.
Online National Conference: Prohibiting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons.
May 15, 12:30-5pm. Register here.
These are the stakes: A nuclear exchange between the US and Russia would incinerate hundreds of millions of people immediately, and lead to a Nuclear Winter which would slaughter an estimated 7 billion of the Earth’s 7.7 billion people, mostly through starvation. Building back civilization would require over 1,000 years [Daniel Ellsberg, 12/13/2020]. A US nuclear strike against China would result in a similar catastrophe.
Many co-sponsors. Speakers and breakout groups. Confirmed Speakers include:
- Ted Lieu (D-CA), sponsor of the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2021 (HR.669)
- Ira Helfand (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War)
- Elaine Scarry (Harvard)
- Zia Mian (Princeton)
- William Perry (Sec. of Defense in Clinton administration)
- Tom Collina (Ploughshares Fund; author)
- Joseph Gerson (Charis of Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security)
- John Burroughs (Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy)
- Kennette Benedict (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists)
- Joe Cirincione (Quincy Institute)
CNY Healthcare Town Hall: Health Justice
May 18, 2021 at 6pm – 7pm
WHERE: Zoom and Facebook https://fb.me/e/4azs5J8S0
On May 18th, join community groups, health advocates, and State Senator Rachel May for a virtual Central New York Healthcare Town Hall to discuss the urgency of passing the New York Health Act as part of our state’s pandemic recovery.
Please RSVP! https://www.nyhcampaign.org/cnyhealthcaretownhall
By establishing a universal healthcare system, the New York Health Act will address the structural roots of healthcare inequity by establishing a system that make care a right guaranteed for every New Yorkers regardless age, wealth, place of employment, or immigration status.
The New York Health Act has majority support in both the state Assembly and State Senate. We have until June 10 to pass the Health Act. During this event, we will hear how guaranteed healthcare is a critical racial justice and economic justice struggle and we will take collective action to call on state legislative leaders to make passing the New York Health Act a priority in 2021.
Current sponsors of this event include: ARISE, Campaign for New York Health, CNY Solidarity Coalition, Doula 4 A Queen, New York Immigration Coalition, Workers’ Center of Central New York, Syracuse DSA, Syracuse Peace Council, CNY Poor People’s Campaign.
To have your group endorse, contact Marianna (marianna.kaufman@gmail.com).
Speakers list coming soon.
The event will be captioned and with Spanish-English interpretation. To request ASL interpretation, contact info@nyhcampaign.org
Save the Dates:
The Democratizing Knowledge (DK) Collective at Syracuse University invites you to our webinar:
Centering Native American and Indigenous Communities:
Decolonizing Pandemic Politics
Tuesday, May 18, 6 – 8 pm EST.
REGISTER here by Monday, May 17
We will examine the crisis of Covid-19 within a broader history of structural violence and its impact on land, language, environment, and personal and communal wellbeing. Speakers include: Betty Lyons (Onondaga Nation, American Indian Law Alliance), Dr. Brian Thompson (Oneida / Onondaga Nation, Assistant Dean for Diversity, SUNY Upstate Medical), and Dr. Jessica Kolopenuk (Cree, Peguis First Nation, University of Alberta, Canada). Dr. Danika Medak-Saltzman (Turtle Mountain Chippewa, Syracuse University) will serve as co-facilitator.
The webinar is the second in our series on Communities of Color, (In)Justice, and Multiple Pandemics.
Please register early. This event is free and open to the public.
The Honorable Harvest: An Evening with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021 AT 7 PM EDT – 9 PM EDT
The Honorable Harvest: An Evening with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
Virtual Talk With Robin Wall Kimmerer and An Evening With Live
Public Meeting on I-81: Syracuse/Onondaga County Human Rights Commission
May 20, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
This will be a listening session. Community members are encouraged to ask questions and learn the facts about the pending I-81 project.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83696997786…
Meeting ID: 836 9699 7786
Passcode: 362978
They Sustain Us: Food Sovereignty on the Onondaga Nation
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 AT 7 PM EDT
Event by Erie Canal Museum and Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center
Online: us02web.zoom.us
Please join the Ska•noñh-Great Law of Peace Center and the Erie Canal Museum for a virtual discussion with Onondaga Nation Farm Supervisor, Angela Ferguson, about the many ways in which the Onondaga Nation is achieving food sovereignty.
Angela is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. She has been the Onondaga Nation Farm Crew Supervisor since 2015. The farm is responsible for all aspects of food sovereignty within their community, including: planting, harvesting, seed preservation, foraging, medicine gathering, traditional food preparation, butchering wild game, bee keeping, food distribution, and community/Elder meal preparation. Angela is also one of the Braiding the Sacred Organizers. They have gathered hundreds of Indigenous Corn Growers together to share knowledge from respected elders, seed sharing, & planting methods.
The talk is a part of the Erie Eats Foodways Project and is a part of our collaborative series on Exploring Indigenous Foodways Along the Erie Canal. This series has received generous support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Indigenous Values Initiative, and the American Indian Law Alliance.
Free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated and welcomed and allow us to host more events in the future.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_OF3mAaKkSZ6mZ_ZPiiUm1A
Shop Small Sunday
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 AT 11 AM EDT – 5 PM EDT
Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina St. 13202
Join us for an outdoor festival that features antique, creative makers and craft vendors in the parking lot at Salt City Market. Live music on the outdoor patio, 40+ vendors
Sunday May 23rd 11am – 5pm
presented in partnership with Antique Underground, Black Artist Collective, Crafted and Wildflowers Armory. Support local – eat, drink, shop and enjoy!
ACTS 2021 Spring Virtual Event Series
05/24/2021 06:30 PM – 07:40 PM ET
We are excited to announce ACTS 2021 Spring Virtual Event Series “Seizing The New Day for Social Justice“!
*Please ensure to read all details below prior to registering!*
*If you prefer to register offline, please fill out our registration form and mail it to our office at:
1085 E. Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13210
*If you are registering for a congregation with multiple individuals, please e-mail us at officemanager.acts@gmail.com*
PROGRAM
Guest Speaker: Sarhia Rahim, ACTS Youth Council member, founding member of Raha Syracuse
Folk Music by: Colleen Kattau, singer and songwriter for social justice
Presentation of Community Social Justice Leadership Award ArtRage Gallery
ACTS Program Report Equity in Education – Kelly Ward, Task Force Leader
TICKETING OPTIONS (Please read carefully if you are buying a ticket that includes catering!)
FREE: Individual ticket
$25: Individual ticket
$40: Catering from King David’s. **Catering orders must be placed by Wednesday, May 19th at 9:00pm*
Catering pick-up will be from 5:00pm-6:00pm at University United Methodist Church (UUMC)
Event live stream on Zoom or in person at UUMC: 6:30pm-7:40pm
Community Discussion: OC Party Chairs Benedicte Doran (R) and Pamela Hunter
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021 AT 6 PM EDT – 7:30 PM EDT
Event by Black Leadership Coalition
The Black Leadership Coalition (BLC) will host a conversation with Benedicte Doran and Pamela Hunter, respective Onondaga County Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Parties. The forum held via Zoom and also be live-streamed on the BLC Facebook page
This virtual space is extended to learn, engage and question party ideas and ideals. Join BLC for this community-wide bi-partisan educational opportunity. Party representatives Doran and Hunter will share affiliation perspectives and insights. BLC looks forward to a candid discussion about the impact of these platforms to Black and Brown community.
Flip the County Leg 2021 with Senators Rachel May and John Mannion!
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 AT 7 PM EDT
Join New York State Senators Rachel May and John Mannion for an event that will feature all 17 2021 Democratic Candidates for Onondaga County Legislature. This initial fundraiser will help us start the groundwork for the 2021 campaign to #Fliptheleg. We will have additional fundraisers with our Assembly Memebers and others later this year!
The event will be MC’d by musician, Syracuse Common Councilor, and Flip the Leg Chair Joe Driscol!
Save the date! Chip in what you can and let’s #FlipTheLeg!
People’s Public Hearing on Lead Poisoning: Environmental Justice for Syracuse Now!”
Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 12pm – 2pm, in front of Syracuse City Hall
Poor Peoples’ Campaign Online Mass Assembly
June 21, 2021
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Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com