CNY Solidarity Newsletter – March 14 – 21

From CNY Solidarity Coalition

Please attend: We can really have an impact on this critical local issue!

Next Meeting: 3/26/23 3 PM Zoom meeting Zoom info to be sent the week of March 20

Special Speaker: Oceanna Fair, Families for Lead Freedom Now (branch leader)

3:00 Opening, Announcement

3:15 Oceanna Fair speaking on: lead poisoning issue in Syracuse, and how we can be of assistance

3:55 Q & A

4:15 Closing

Lead poisoning of children is a serious issue in Syracuse, resulting in nearly 12% of black children tested and 6% of white children tested in the city having elevated blood lead levels, compared to the national average of 2.6%. 17 Syracuse neighborhoods have above-the-average lead exposure levels. County statistics show city children are lead poisoned at a rate ten times higher than children in the rest of Onondaga County. Lead poisoning isn’t something we outgrow as we age: it translates to reduced IQ, inability to focus on academics or behavior in school, leading to lower performance, and often results in lifetime disabilities. Please see the Harvard University Public Health report: Lead poisoning is a crisis for Syracuse’s Black families (harvardpublichealth.org). The report’s author is Christine Mehta, a Syracuse University alum.

Despite knowledge of the danger of lead poisoning, the number of local children tested for lead at age one and two (as required by NYS law) is lower than we would think:

Some pediatricians don’t have the required testing equipment, creating insurmountable obstacles for families to get their children tested.
The City of Syracuse, which has passed a lead paint ordinance, still does not rigorously monitor for it, or enforce repairs.
The Onondaga County Dept. of Health, which used to have the WIC program perform blood lead tests, no longer allows it.

How can we support the Families for Lead Freedom Now agenda?

Email your elected officials right here about our State’s childhood lead poisoning crisis and their need to act now.

Next Meeting: Sunday April 16, 3 PM In-person

ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:

Here’s a new poll that just dropped from Hart Research and Fiscal Policy Institute!

Some of the findings:

84% of state voters supported raising taxes on corporations with profits of $5 million or more with strong support across partisan lines and throughout the state
84% of New York voters also favor raising the state personal income tax on incomes over $5 million. Both the Senate and Assembly’s one-house budgets included proposals to raise the personal income taxes by 0.5% on people who earn over $5 million a year.
When asked by the pollsters to rank budgetary priorities, among the top 5 priorities were closing tax loopholes that mainly benefit the wealthy and (5) increasing revenue to expand funding for public education, public transit, healthcare and child care.
83% of voters surveyed support the Legislature’s approach to raising revenue over the Governor’s approach.

Sochie Nnaemeka, Director of the NY Working Families Party, shared a statement on behalf of the Invest in Our NY Campaign following the poll’s release, too.

And see the actions below to Support the Invest in Our NY (IONY) Campaign!

New UN Climate Report: Read Rebecca Solnit’s comments Here: “The world already has all the knowledge, tools and financial resources needed to achieve its climate goals, according to the IPCC. But after decades of disregarding scientific warnings and delaying climate efforts, it adds, humanity’s window for action is rapidly closing.” And read the full Washington Post article Here

Let Us Not Forget: 20 Years After the US Invaded Iraq. Read them on Democracy Now

· War Made Easy: Norman Solomon on How Mainstream Media Helped Pave Way for U.S. Invasion of Iraq

· “Catastrophic”: Iraqi Writers Sinan Antoon & Feurat Alani Reflect on U.S. Invasion 20 Years Later

· Protesters Call for End to U.S. Wars on 20th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion

· Blood and Treasure: Documenting the Costs of Iraq War from Civilian Casualties to Trillions Spent

· Climate Change & War: How U.S. Military Emissions Factor into Costs of War & Shape Military Policy

· Death, Destruction & Resilience: Nadje Al-Ali on the 20th Anniversary of U.S. Invasion of Iraq

· 20 Years After the Invasion of Iraq, Bush Administration Lies Still Take Lives

Or you can watch Rachel Maddow: Hubris on YouTube (45 min.)

The Inside Story of ‘the Largest Conservation Agreement in the History of the World’

On Saturday, March 4, world leaders finally agreed on a treaty to protect the high seas. The accord reached by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction establishes a mechanism for sharing the benefits of scientific discoveries from marine life, enforces environmental impact assessments for new human activities in international waters and makes it possible to create protected areas in the open ocean. Read it on https://www.ecowatch.com

If you missed it last week: Indivisible’s new guide: “A Practical Guide to Defeating MAGA,” in PDF form. At just 19 pages, it’s their usual easy-to-read, hyper-local analysis.

ACTION ALERTS:

How can we support the Families for Lead Freedom Now agenda?

Email your NYS elected officials right here about NYS’s childhood lead poisoning crisis and their need to act now.

NYS Budget Deadline Approaching: Support the Invest in Our NY (IONY) Campaign!

Please call your Senator and Assemblymember and urge them to stand firm on the respective Senate/Assembly positions on the budget. If you got a Hochul PAC-paid flyer in the mail today, you can see that she is spending a lot of money not to have to accommodate them in negotiations. They need to hear from us EVERY DAY. (This P2A tool makes it easy!)
Please sign up to go to Albany for one or more of our IONY Days of Action next week! Register here. Transportation and lunch provided, accommodation available if you can stay multiple days.
- Mon 3/27: #InvestInWorkers with Caring Majority, Raise Up NY, and the FEW Coalition (Unemployment Bridge Program)
- Tues 3/28: #InvestInClimate with NY Renews
- Wed 3/29: #InvestInHousing with Housing Justice for All
- Thurs 3/30: #InvestInEducation with Alliance for Quality Education
- Fri 3/31: #NoBillionaireBudget with IONY
If you can’t go, please support from home with this social media toolkit.

Eyewitness Palestine Delegation

Witness the Israeli occupation! Help the Justice for Palestine committee fundraise $5,000 to send a member of the community on a delegation to Palestine.

Justice for Palestine is fundraising to send a local activist to witness the injustice of the occupation in Palestine. Eyewitness Palestine aims to expose delegates to the realities of Israeli occupation by connecting with Palestinian organizers and human rights defenders. Our goal is to send a member of the Syracuse community on Eyewitness Palestine’s 2023 delegation in order to witness firsthand the situation as well as develop international solidarity from Syracuse to Palestine. Donate via paypalor contact ayeh@peacecouncil.net

EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR

TODAY! Village Elections: March 21 If you live in the villages of Baldwinsville, Fabius, Fayetteville, Jordan, Manlius, or Skaneateles, make a plan to vote on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023. Elections vary per village. Questions?, contact your village clerk. More information: http://www.ongov.net/elections/Village-Elections.html

Save Money, Save Lives: Rally to Kick Fossil Fuels Out of Buildings!

Wed., Mar. 22 at 11 AM – 3:30 PM @ New York State Capitol

Event by Renewable Heat Now, Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow and 4 others

Please RSVP here for a head count for lunches and buses! And find the schedule for the day, Covid protocols, etc.

Join leading climate groups from Buffalo to Long Island as we converge on Albany to get New York state to kick fossil fuels out of buildings. We’ll push the Legislature, particularly the Assembly, to enact vital new laws to save New Yorkers money, fight childhood asthma, create jobs in clean energy, and slash climate emissions:

All-Electric Building Act (S562A|A920A)

NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT Act) (S2016|A4592)

Energy Efficiency, Equity, and Jobs Act (S2469|A2655)

On March 22nd, we will kick off with a rally and then line the halls of the Capitol Building, in particular the Assembly, which needs extra encouragement to kick the gas lobbyists to the curb.

Carpool – set up and view existing carpools. https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/tfr56d

Rally sponsored by (list in formation): AGREE NY, American Institute of Architects New York, EarthJustice, Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, New Yorkers for Clean Power, NYPIRG, Renewable Heat Now, Rewiring America, Sane Energy, Sierra Club, WEACT

Covid-19: Riding The Latest Wave

Occupational Health Clinical Center Choose either date:

Wednesday, March 22 4:00 -6:00pm: English Register

Thursday, March 30 4:00-6:00pm: English Register

What do workers need to know to stay safe on the job? Join us for an ONLINE training where you’ll learn:

Your rights as a worker
The latest information on COVID
What are worker health and safety committees
The rules all employers must follow

Presented By: Nenycosh, Wnycosh, Midstate Cosh And The Occupational Health Clinical Center

Also available in Spanish and Burmese: Call Jeanette Zoeckler, PhD, MPH. Director, Occupational Health Clinical Center (315) 432-8899 ext 121 desk.

Do Palestinians Have a Right to Defend Themselves?

Wednesday March 22, 7:00 pm – All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210

International Law, Nonviolent Resistance and the Heart of the Crisis in Israel/Palestine

International human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab , co-founder of Nonviolence International and Executive Director of Friends of Sabeel North America, examines the crisis in Palestine/Israel. Mr. Kuttab will address several critical questions, including: Why, 30 years after the signing the Oslo Accords does peace seem farther away than ever? What lies behind the recent wave of violence? And, is it even possible to speak of peace without justice?

Preceded by an Interfaith Prayer service beginning at 6:30pm

Sponsored by All Saints Catholic Parish Hearing loop equipped. Wheelchair Accessible .

The program will be live-streamed at allsaintssyracuse.org

Beyond the Divide (Film and Discussion)

Wednesday March 22 @ 7 pm. Syracuse Peace Council, 2013 E. Genesee St. (top floor, handicap accessible) Popcorn included. Learn more: spc@peacecouncil.net

In Beyond the Divide, discover how a small-town art crime sparks furious passion and reignites animosity left unresolved since the Vietnam War. In Missoula, Montana, a group of people from the “wrong side of the tracks” decided to commit an act of civil disobedience by painting a peace symbol on the face of an enormous communications panel that sat atop a hillside overlooking the town. The reaction essentially divided the community between anti-war and military-establishment supporters.

Beyond the Divide speaks to the historical divide between veterans and peace advocates, yet the wisdom and leadership modeled by the two primary characters is especially timely in today’s politically divisive world. Beyond the Divide is a starting point for powerful conversations about civil discourse and healing.

Powerlands

Thursday, March 23 5pm – 7pm – Moon Library, Room 110, SUNY ESF

Center for Native Peoples and the Environment Spring Film Series https://www.esf.edu/nativepeoples/

A young Navajo filmmaker investigates displacement of Indigenous people and devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies that have exploited the land where she was born. On this personal and political journey she learns from Indigenous activists across three continents. (75min. 2022) Spring Film Series

Fund Excluded Workers Coalition – Phone Bank Session (Workers’ Center of CNY)

Thurs. 3/23: 6:00pm

Phone banking for the Unemployment Bridge Program (S3192/A4821) to provide unemployment compensation to New York workers who are excluded from traditional unemployment insurance. Register here

ReZone Syracuse Public Hearing – City Planning Commission

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 At 5:30 Pm – Syracuse City Hall’s Common Council Chambers

https://www.syr.gov/…/CPC-Special-Meeting-2023-03-38

Members of the public wishing to comment in person during the Public Hearing will be limited to three minutes.

Written comments may be submitted at the Public Hearing, mailed, or emailed to the Office of Zoning Administration at 201 East Washington Street, Room 500, Syracuse, NY 13202, or zoning@syr.gov.

Written comments will be accepted up until the Public Hearing is closed.

https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Planning/Planning-Initiatives/ReZone-Syracuse

Support Our Allies at Workers’ Center of CNY and NYIC:

Access To Representation Act Mass Mobilization
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 Albany, NY

Registration and Details Here

The Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity for Immigrant Families is mobilizing to Albany on Tuesday, March 28th, for a statewide day of action in Albany, NY. The budget deadline (April 1st) is just around the corner and we need to ensure that the Access to Representation Act (S999/A170) and the $120 Million in funding is in the final budget! Please wear your masks! We also ask that all participants be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Questions/ more info: kkelechian@nyic.org

Save the Dates

“Everyone Can Sing” – Exploring Our Voices

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 At 7 Pm – 9 Pm – Grace Episcopal Church of Syracuse

“Everyone Can Sing” Exploring Our Voices

Come join the Syracuse Community Choir and Singing Soulutions for an evening of exploring the connective, imperfect, and joyful possibilities of singing together.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or you only belt out your favorite song in the shower, we invite you into the possibility of growing your skills and vulnerability through embodied singing. We will sing and move together and guide workshops including singing 101, holding your part, and four-part harmonizing. We believe that everyone can sing, and the intention of this workshop is to meet you wherever you are in your singing journey.

This event is open to the public. Recommended donation of $5 – 25, no one ever turned away due to lack of funds.

Central Current Virtual Town Hall: Bring-a-Friend

Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. –

Like what you’ve been reading? Tell a friend (or two!) to join us for an evening of dialogue, questions and answers with Central Current’s editorial and business staff.

To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

Syracuse Citizen Review Board (CRB): Acknowledging 30 Years!

Wed., April 5, 2023

10:30 AM Assembly @ Dunbar Center and Hopps Memorial Church

11:oo AM March to City Hall

12:00 PM Speakers: City Hall Steps

5:30 PM @ Nancy Cantor Warehouse: Reception; Discussion of the CRB’s past, Present, and Future

Nonviolent Action from Civil Rights to Climate Justice

Thurs. April 13, 6-7:30pm. Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library at SU, Room 114.

Activist and author George Lakey discusses his work with the Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), a mostly youth-led coalition, which he co-founded to pursue ecojustice at the intersections of race, class, queerness, and the climate crisis. Series info: https://envirostorycny.com/

Climate Justice Nonviolent Direct Action Training

Fri., April 14, 9am-12pm. Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), 805 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13210

Civil rights leader and author George Lakey works with community leaders and university students, faculty, and staff to think carefully about how they can craft nonviolent social change campaigns to be inclusive, powerful, and successful. Open to the public, but space is limited. Please register by Friday, April 7, 2023. Series info: https://envirostorycny.com/

The Letter: A Message for Our Earth

First Showing: Co-Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and Liverpool Public Library

Saturday April 15^th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St, Liverpool, NY 13088

FREE but you must register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9zycmt

Approximately 80% of the people on Earth belong to a faith. Pope Francis has written a document called Laudato Si’ where he calls on “all people of good will” to care for our common home. He also highlights the importance of open, respectful dialogue with scientists and people of other faiths in addressing the ecological crisis. Based on the Laudato Si’ document, this film demonstrates how common ground can be found in people of different faiths and backgrounds by addressing shared values and delivering hope. The approximately 90 minute film showing will be followed by time for dialog, discussion, and calls to action. Film Trailer: https://tinyurl.com/2ud82md5

Second Showing: Co-Sponsored byThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and ArtRage Gallery

April 26, 2023. Film screening 7pm; doors open at 6:30pm for patrons to view exhibit, Climate Connections.

ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203 A light snack will be available.

FREE but you must register: https://tinyurl.com/2mmr25bj

Electronics Recycling Event April 22, 2023 8:30AM – 2:30 PM Destiny USA- Register Here

Central Current Virtual town hall: Commentary & Perspectives Edition

Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. -Central Current has heard a lot of interest from our readers in submitting letters, opinion, creative writing and commentary. Our staff will lead a roundtable discussion about opinion and readers’ submissions. We’ll discuss Central Current’s vision and what it would take to execute this addition to our website in the future. To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

EarthFest 2023

Sat., April 29, Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville

Sustainable Manlius and Renewable Fayetteville will be hosting a large, outdoor environmental and sustainability event. Informational booths, an EV car show, EV buses and many other educational and fun activities for both adults and children. Learn about solar power, native plants, EVs and bicycles, composting techniques and sustainable practices, among other things.

Central Current Spring Fundraiser Kick-off at Harvey’s Garden. Thursday, May 25, at 6 p.m.

Join Central Current in-person at Harvey’s Garden for local food, drink and music. Hear about what we’ve accomplished since our launch in June 2022, see what’s in store for 2023, and mingle with the community and our staff. There may just be a surprise or two in store! To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

Central Current In-person focus group: Commentary & Perspectives: Thursday, June 22, at 6 p.m.

There was a real interest in this topic. We hear you – and that’s why we’ll have a virtual AND in-person discussion around this. If you’d like to participate, email membership@centralcurrent.org

Election Day: Tues. November 7, 2023 County, town, and village elections. More info: NY State Board of Elections page and at the Onondaga County Board of Elections Primaries will be in June.

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