From CNY Solidarity Coalition
Annual Membership Meeting Report – Jan. 8, 2023
- Please read our Annual Report: https://www.cnysolidarity.org/coalition-updates/
- Financial Report
- Coordinating Committee elections: 5 members reelected to 1 year terms
Our plan for the winter months, dependent on health warnings:
- We will schedule one in-person meeting per month.
- An additional Zoom meeting each month will likely be scheduled, depending on issues.
- Meetings will start at 2 PM, followed by in-person Committee Meetings
- In case of inclement weather or other issues, a notification and a Zoom link will be sent no later than 10 AM on the day of the meeting.
- Please wear a mask, and practice reasonable social distancing.
Newsletter note: This newsletter is now coming from a new account: CNYSolnews@gmail.com . You can still send newsletter-related comments and information as a response to this email. For other topics, use CNYSolidarity@gmail.com
ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:
If you didn’t get to this one last week, please read it now!
Time Magazine: The Top 1% of Americans Have Taken $50 Trillion From the Bottom 90% — And That’s Made the U.S. Less Secure
“…According to a groundbreaking new working paper by Carter C. Price and Kathryn Edwards of the RAND Corporation, had the more equitable income distributions of the three decades following World War II (1945 through 1974) merely held steady, the aggregate annual income of Americans earning below the 90th percentile would have been $2.5 trillion higher in the year 2018 alone… At a recent pace of about $2.5 trillion a year, that number we estimate crossed the $50 trillion mark by early 2020.” Read it on www.Time.com
Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Defeating MAGA (PDF).
If you haven’t been with us for a guide launch before, welcome!!! This whole movement started with a team of former congressional staffers writing a guide on navigating a Trump presidency back in 2016. Since then, we have continued to put out guides for every new Congress, updating the state of play and consolidating tactics for the new year in one place. The 2023 guide will break down the stakes, go over our game plan, explain the framing for both Democrats and Republicans, and bring together big-picture tactics for how we want to activate in the new session. Get the Guide Here.
Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) fromThe White House. The guidebook is an overview of clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs in the IRA. It also includes information on who is eligible to apply for funding and for what activities. The guidebook groups the IRA’s investment programs and tax incentives into chapters based on themes. Each chapter includes a summary of each program’s eligible uses, potential beneficiaries, and other important information. The guidebook does not contain information on the IRA’s health care provisions or certain corporate tax reforms.
More information from the White House is linked here. The guidebook is linked here.
ACTION ALERTS:
Representative Brandon William’s first vote as a Congressman
(Good Topic For A Letter To The Editor!)
House Republicans voted to gut the House Ethics Committee, and George Santos said it was ‘fantastic’
From Climate Change Awareness and Action (CCAA):
METHANE ALERT: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing tighter emissions regulations by expanding the 2021 methane rule. The new rule is estimated to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 87% below 2005 levels by the end of this decade. Fossil fuel interests are no doubt going to fight tooth and nail to try to bury these new regulations. The EPA needs to hear your support for cracking down on these methane super-polluters.
We Need To Hold The Supreme Court Accountable
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. They hand down decisions that affect the entire country for generations. They should be held to the highest level of ethical conduct. Except there’s no established code of conduct that these lifetime appointed justices can be held to. Right now, the nine members of the Supreme Court are the only federal judges in the United States that don’t have a code of ethics they’re meant to follow.
No one is above the law—even the Supreme Court. It’s up to us to demand accountability.
In one click, send a pre-written email to your legislators demanding they pass a long overdue code of ethics for the Supreme Court.
Volunteers needed:
Help keep CNY Solidarity’s website up to date! We are looking for a volunteer to post our weekly newsletter to our website once a week. No experience needed, we will train you. To volunteer, send an email to cnysolidarity@gmail.com with the subject Website Volunteer.
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Climate Change Awareness and Action (CCAA) Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 10th, 6:00 p.m.
Each month, CCAA invites you to join us, in-person or over Zoom. Come meet people who are committed to working towards fossil-free communities. The room opens at 5:45 p.m. for socializing. If you wish to join us in person, please register and you will be sent details about in person meetings. Register here.
Cabeza En Las Nubes.
ArtRage Gallery: https://artragegallery.org Exhibition closes on Saturday, January 14th!
Cabeza en las nubes, directly translated as ‘head in the clouds’, is a body of work that spans a decade of dreamscapes that have been born from liberatory struggle and creative release. Rommy, a queer trans migrant who navigated the world as undocumented until 2018, has been collaborating with communities at the forefront of liberation movements since 2012. As a trans storyteller who lives at the intersections of these identities, they have committed to constantly dreaming and reimagining a refuge of futures where migrant, queer trans communities can live in joy and safety– with access to affordable housing, stable income and nourishing networks of care. From immigration, to incarceration, to education, the images in this collection explore a range of issues that are impacting trans communities. Read The Review By Carl Mellor On Syracuse.Com
Syracuse Peace Council Volunteer Open House
Thursday, January 12 at 6 pm at SPC offices 2013 E. Genesee St. Syracuse (top floor).
Volunteering with the Syracuse Peace Council is a way to fight for justice in the world. We are holding our first Open House of 2023. Come and learn about the SPC, meet both new and old activists and hear about our plans for 2023. There will be refreshments and activities. Good for people new to SPC as well as those who have been more involved. For more info, contact 315.472.5478 or spc@peacecouncil.net.
Kick Gas Out of NY Buildings: January Grassroots Meeting
Thursday, January 12 from 7 to 8PM on Zoom Register Here
AGREE, the Renewable Heat Now campaign, and allies throughout New York. Together, we will celebrate the strong building sector provisions in New York’s Climate Action Plan, learn more about the Renewable Heat Now bill package for the upcoming legislative session, hear from several bill sponsors, gather your input about increasing our people power, AND learn about the exciting plans being crafted for a dynamic and impactful Kick Fossil Fuels Out of Buildings Lobby Day on Tuesday, January 24 in Albany (and on Zoom for folks unable to travel).
Sign up today for the Day of Action on January 24. Our logistics team will need a clear idea of how many people will be attending and from where people plan to travel so that we can arrange transportation and set up lobby teams (in Albany and virtual) effectively. If you have any questions, please contact Andra @ AGREE (aleimanis@gmail.com or text to 315-677-7824).
Food and Clothing Drive; 21st Annual MLK Day of Service
Jan. 16, 2023, 8 AM-12 PM
Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., Syracuse, NY
Needed: Warm Coats and Jackets; Gloves and Mittens; Socks and Blankets; Baby Formula; Food (non-perishable cans and boxes, unexpired)
CleanSlateNY Advocacy Day on January 17. RSVP now
Will you mobilize with us to end perpetual punishment?
Together, we’ll board buses from across the state and travel to Albany for a powerful press conference, rally, and meetings with lawmakers. This is a critical opportunity to make our voice heard and demand passage of Clean Slate, and we need all of us to make it happen. Can you join us? RSVP here.
2.3 million New Yorkers have an old conviction record and face barriers to jobs, housing and education years (and even decades) after completing our sentences. Clean Slate will seal old conviction records allowing all of us to support ourselves and our families. Clean Slate is about dignity, humanity, and an opportunity to thrive.
Transportation and food provided from across the state.
After you RSVP, register here to join us tomorrow (Wednesday, January 11th), for our Advocacy Day Training on Zoom. All are welcome! Invite friends, family, and colleagues. You can forward this email and post the graphics in this toolkit on social media.
THE SUM OF US: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Heather McGhee Virtual Speaking Event
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm EST
CNY Community Foundation
You’ll hear from Heather McGhee, New York Times best-selling author and one of today’s most insightful and influential thinkers. McGhee reveals the devastating true cost of racism — not just for people of color, but for everyone. Join folks from across the state to hear what McGhee learned from interviewing Americans of all races during her journey across the country. This virtual event is free. Registration is required.
SAVE THE DATES
The Workers Center of CNY Press Conference
1/18 at 2PM. Location TBD
On 1/5/23, the Immigration Research Initiative issued a new report about the impact of the Unemployment Bridge Program, formerly called the Excluded Workers Unemployment Program.
The pandemic highlighted how many workers are excluded from unemployment benefits: freelancers, self-employed workers, cash economy workers, undocumented workers, people in re-entry. Expanded pandemic UI closed some of these gaps temporarily, but we’re fighting for a permanent solution at the state level. The report estimates this program will cover 750,000 workers who currently fall between the cracks, with up to 30,000 receiving benefits in a given year depending on the actual unemployment rate.
We welcome anyone interested in learning more to attend.
If you have been excluded from unemployment benefits in the past, or qualified for Pandemic UI but not regular UI, and might benefit from this bill or if you work with community members who might benefit and are interested in speaking at the press conference, please reach out with a direct message at jmaxwell@workerscentercny.org or 315-751-7242.
NYS for Abortion & Queer Liberation Mass Meeting
Jan. 18th at 5:30 p.m. Soule Branch Library community room.
NYS For Abortion & Queer Liberation
If you are concerned about the growing attacks on reproductive freedom for women and the queer community, join the first mass meeting in Syracuse to work with other activists on building local and statewide movements to demand reproductive justice. A mass meeting involves dialogue and group problem-solving to build consensus on a plan of action; we know Syracuse and CNY have the creativity, imagination, and determination to advance the struggle for abortion and LGBT liberation right now! Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/2fAPQTuDT
FOCUS Forum on the Future
Jan 20, 12:05pm ET
FOCUS Greater Syracuse
Tell FOCUS which topics to cover and suggest panels and strategies for engaging the community in forums.
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/33cj34u3
Reducing the Threat of Nuclear War Conference
Saturday January 21, 1-6 pm (Eastern).
This annual gathering is one of the major national conferences addressing this acute problem. Given the tragic events in Ukraine, tensions with China over Taiwan, and provocations from North Korea, we need to accelerate effort toward clear analysis, peaceful resolutions and nuclear disarmament. The subtheme this year will be “The Social and Economic Costs of the Nuclear Weapons Buildup”. Particular attention will be given to the destructive effect of excessive weapons spending on human needs. Attendees should sign up for one Breakout in the first set (3 pm) and one in the second set (4:30 pm). Register HERE for this event.
We Are Marching On January 22, 2023 In Recognition Of 50th Anniversary Of Roe!!!
Women’s March Syracuse FB Event Here
January 22, 2023, is the anniversary of Roe V Wade, together with our sisters in the states and across the world we acknowledge their loss of nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, and mourn the many other global challenges to equality and gender.
We are looking for:
Someone to support us with creating a video
Speakers
Performers
Volunteers to lead chants.
Please Inbox Us If You Are Willing To Volunteer. https://www.facebook.com/WomenMarchSYR
January 24 Rally & Lobby Day: Join Renewable Heat Now Campaign And Gas Free NY Coalitionto KICK FOSSIL FUELS OUT OF BUILDINGS
Climate groups from Buffalo to Long Island will converge on Albany to demand that Governor Hochul and the legislature pass key climate legislation THIS YEAR to kick fossil fuels out of buildings.
We will start the day with a rally and press conference in the State Capitol to push Governor Hochul to include these vital bills in her proposed budget. Then we will break into lobby teams (no prior lobbying experience necessary) to talk to our elected representatives and win their support for these important bills. Register for the Lobby Day here.
2023 State of the City Address
Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Auditorium at Corcoran High School
This will be the first State of the City Address in three years that will be open to the public. Join us in-person at Corcoran as we reflect on the past year’s progress and prepare for what’s next in 2023.
The address will also be broadcast on WCNY Public Broadcasting Channel 24.
Please RSVP by Friday, January 20 at syrsotc2023.eventbrite.com
BFP Forum: “War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict,” with Medea Benjamin
Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 pm EST Register
Russia’s brutal February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has attracted widespread condemnation across the West. Government and media circles present the conflict as a simple dichotomy between an evil empire and an innocent victim. In this concise, accessible and highly informative primer, Medea Benjamin and Nicolas Davies insist the picture is more complicated.
Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power (STOP) Coalition Community Teach In
January 28th at 2PM at the Westcott Community Center, and online, for everyone interested in Syracuse housing organizing. Get to know like-minded individuals, hear from organizers about their work over the past two years and collaborate with fellow organizers to create the next phase of organizing against Syracuse slumlords.
Topics will include:
– Forming Tenant Associations
– Legislation
– Advocacy
– Protesting
– Research & Writing
Can’t attend but want to support? Donate to our Mutual Aid fund here. All proceeds fund events like these as well as Mutual Aid projects. The event will be in-person as well as through Zoom. If you RSVP to attend the Zoom event, you’ll get the Zoom link. Please contact syrdsa.mutualaid@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you.
NY22 Summit
Organized By Grassroots Groups In Oneida, Madison, Oswego And Onondaga Counties
Saturday, February 4th; 10am to 4pm in Cazenovia. Hampton Inn, 25 Lakers Lane
This will be an exciting opportunity to build relationships with others across the district and work collaboratively together on goals, strategies, and tactics to flip NY22 blue together, something we’re all committed to.
The agenda outline includes:
- Relationship building
- Brainstorming ideas about local elections, a unified approach to our new member of Congress, and how we will win in 2024
- UP PAC (Upstate Progressive PAC) presentation
- Fair Elections campaign matching program presentation
- Laying the groundwork to build a 10-year vision for the district
- Creating working teams to flush out goals, strategies, and tactics
The expectation for attendance is that people will commit to working collaboratively on the ideas and next steps that come from the brainstorming sessions at the Summit. Your voice, talents, and perspective will be valuable at this event and for moving forward. Together we can achieve our goal of having a member of Congress who truly represents us and shares our values. Please save the date Feb. 4th, and if you’re already a YES, register here.
Syracuse DSA’s Annual Convention
Sunday, February 5th starting at 2pm
ArtRage Gallery at 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, in-person; and virtually on Zoom.
Please RSVP here, and the Zoom link will be emailed to you.
See agenda on the DSA Calendar Here
Anyone may attend convention, but in order to vote, you must be a dues-paying member of DSA in good standing. Confirm your DSA membership status here, and please pay or renew your annual or monthly membership dues if needed.
Masks will be required for those attending convention in person. Please email Keller at Keller.Shelton@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns, or childcare or other accommodation requests.
ONGOING EVENTS:
Looking For Flexible — No Meeting, No Committee — Opportunity To Oppose War And Oppression And Work For Peace And Social Justice?
We call it STREET HEAT: an easy, uncomplicated way –in solidarity with a handful of others — to stand up and out for what we stand for. Greeting passing traffic at rush hour with hand-held signs, we want to get them thinking about the day’s crucial issues.
First Tuesday Of The Month…4 to 4:45 p.m.: Killer drones
Hancock AFB (home of the 174th Attack Wing of the NYS National Guard), 6000 East Molloy Rd.
across from the main gate. Park on the south shoulder.
Every Friday…4 to 4:45 p.m.
West sidewalk of the broad intersection of Erie Blvd East & East Genesee St. in De Witt (across from the Fire Dept.)
For years our focus has been on solidarity with the people of Palestine; while the invasion of Ukraine persists, we also address that tragedy.
Our current stalwart team: Julienne, Les, Leslie, Geoff, Ed, Ann, Peter…. To learn more: Ed or Ann 315 478 4571
CNY Solidarity Coalition
Check out our Website and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Sign up for this newsletter Here
Twitter: @CNYSolidarity and @IndivisibleNY24
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cnysolidarity/ and
www.facebook.com/groups/IndivisibleNY24
Mailing Address: CNY Solidarity Coalition, c/o SPC, 2013 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210
To contribute: Donate Here through PayPal. Or send checks to mailing address above
Our Committees: To sign up for each of the committee mailing lists, contact the person listed.
Indivisible Onondaga County (Formerly Indivisible NY24): Contact: Deborah Rose: dcurryrose@gmail.com
Climate Justice: Contact: Dick Kornbluth dick@dickkornbluth.com
SLAT (State/Local Action Team) Contact: Peter McCarthy – pmccar1100@gmail.com
Beyond War and Militarism. A joint committee of CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council. Contact: Ron Van Norstrand; ron@vannorstrandlaw.com
CNY Solidarity Coalition contributes regularly to local progressive organizations: Syracuse Peace Council, National Action Network, and Urban Jobs Coalition, as well as to our mailing list provider, RiseUp. We also make occasional donations as needed to other local groups. We depend on our supporters’ contributions for this.
To contribute: Donate Here through PayPal. Or send checks to the mailing address above.
Peter McCarthy
Coordinating Committee
CNY Solidarity Coalition