Watch the November CNY Solidarity meeting to learn more about the New York State Public Campaign Finance Program and hear a discussion about this year’s local election results.

December 10, 2023

Agenda: Micron: Promise and Peril?

Hear from our fellow members of the CNY Sustainability Coalition, David Sonnenfeld, a retired professor at SUNY ESF, Don Hughes, Atlantic Chapter of Sierra Club, and Dick Kornbluth, CNY Solidarity Coalition, on environmental concerns related to the Micron project and possible solutions. What are the critical social and environmental issues that need to be addressed with respect to the proposed Micron project? This discussion will focus on Micron’s claim of 100% renewable “energy”, the use of natural gas, the enormous water and electrical requirements, and the prospective problem of the use and generation of the highly toxic “forever chemicals” in the manufacturing process. What are the potential social and community impacts on life in CNY as a consequence of this project?  What is the proposed project’s timeline, including regulatory review and approval? What future opportunities will there be for public input?

Read a letter CNY Solidarity signed on to with over 50 national and local groups call on semiconductor manufacturing companies to deliver on the promise of good jobs, stronger communities and environmental protections. 

CNY Solidarity Coalition Meeting Schedule: Dates and agendas are subject to change.
January 7, 2024 – Annual Meeting

The CNY Solidarity Coordinating Committee is looking for new members! Terms are only 1 year. Submit your name or nominate someone by emailing cnysolidarity@gmail.com by January 1st, 2024.

CNY Solidarity’s current plan for meetings, dependent on health warnings:

• Please wear a mask, and practice reasonable social distancing.
• Meetings will start at 2 PM, followed by in-person Committee Meetings when scheduled.
• In case of inclement weather or other issues, notification/Zoom link by 10 AM on the day of the meeting.

New York counties, cities, towns and villages have multi-million or even billion dollar budgets like Onondaga County. Yet officials are elected with less votes than our state and federal representatives due to low turnout. We have seen in Onondaga County, how low turnout in local elections silences our voices. Residents demand services and instead representatives spend over 86 million dollars of taxpayer money on an aquarium. Local politicians promise to support non-partisan and independent redistricting and instead we get a gerrymandered map so they can continue to not listen to their constituents.

Here is a solution! The New York State Legislature passed a bill to move local elections to even numbered years. Even year elections see over 50% turnout. Odd year elections only see 30% turnout. Moving odd year elections to even years will increase turnout in critical local races. Let’s raise our voices and let the Governor know we want to move local elections to even years to increase turnout. 

Information on local races is hard to find as candidates for state and federal races announce their campaigns earlier every year. Let’s make our Democracy stronger by electing all our representatives in even years!

Sign Bill S3505B today!

URGENT: Patients and medical staff trapped in hospitals under fire in Gaza

“The situation in Al-Shifa is truly catastrophic,” said Ann Taylor, MSF’s Head of Mission in Palestine. “We call on the Israeli government to cease this unrelenting assault on Gaza’s health system. Our staff and patients are inside Al-Shifa Hospital, where the heavy bombing has not stopped since yesterday.” 

Plowshares is not only for the community, but it is created by the community. 

Many ways to help:

Publicity and outreach: lawn signs, flier distribution, make calls, outreach to faith communities, etc.

Silent Auction: Help find Silent Auction items, prepare the display for the items

SPC Marketplace: Create the Peace Calendar and other displays, do inventory

SPC Info Table: Help assemble written materials, put together the SPC Year in Review display

Help with needs as they arise: Run errands, repair things, phone calls, small tasks

Volunteer for a work shift: Join the packing and set-up crew or take a work shift (or more) during the weekend.

Or help out on your own: 

Share the event on social media! 

Download & print the flier and post it around places you know – and/or give us a list of locations to post.

Bring someone who hasn’t been to Plowshares.

Many thanks for all you do! See you at Plowshares!

Celebrate Apple Season By Supporting Birds And Bees (Guest Opinion By Lou Lego)

The Birds and Bees Protection Act would be the first in the nation to deal with the largest source of neonic pollution — neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, which extensive research shows provide no economic value to farmers. That includes a comprehensive report from Cornell University as well as ongoing statewide Cornell field studies confirming there is “no significant difference” in yields between seeds coated with a neonic and those without.

Join Jewish organizers and scholars for an urgent conversation about the political importance, and long history, of Jewish organizing against Israeli violence, dispossession and occupation. Speakers discuss the political analysis and strategic orientation guiding IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace as they organize for a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s latest brutal attacks on Gaza, as well as the historic and contemporary role of Jewish organizing in relation to the Palestinian struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.

Watch the conversation here

It’s going to take a lot more than the renewables revolution–more justice, more awareness, more things that aren’t solar and wind–but we can’t do it without the renewables revolution, and news on that front continues to be exhilarating–maybe astonishing. 

“If we maintain our current path, we will be installing more solar in 2030 than the International Energy Agency/IEA’s stretch target for net zero.” The whole report from the Rocky Mountain Institute is great reading (if you have an appetite for nerdy good news). 

Read it on rmi.org

For democracy to work, legislators have to compromise and pass budgets (and other legislation) that reflect the center within the Congress (as the Senate has done). But Johnson, Jordan and Williams in practice do not support that principle.

Read it on Syracuse.com

As faculty members who teach, research and engage in the pursuit of free and open inquiry, we will not be silenced on our department listservs or in our classrooms or other spaces when it comes to the “protection of free and open inquiry, including expression of controversial ideas that some may consider wrong or offensive”

Read it in The Daily Orange

Decades of economic imperialism and conditional aid have inspired authors from Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o to Graham Greene to explore continued western control

Read it in The Guardian

Although the Peace Calendar is probably SCW’s best known product, it’s definitely part of a larger portfolio. The Cultural Workers create and sell an annual women artists datebook, buttons, postcards, T-shirts, and posters. “Earth Values,” a series of notecards, combines text by Robin Wall Kimmerer, an author and professor at SUNY ESF, and artworks by Wendy Harris. 

Read it on Central Current

 As conversations on the global debt crisis heat up, activists push New York State lawmakers to take on exploitative private creditors.

Read it on Lever News

Tuesday, Nov. 14; 6-8 PM. Clary Middle School, 100 Amidon Dr., Syr 13205

Project email: I81Opportuntities@dot.ny.gov

Project Hotline: 1-855-481-8255

Website: https://webapps.dot.ny.gov/i-81-viaduct-project

Wed, November 15, 12:15pm – 1:15pm

Coulter Hall, C116, SUNY Onondaga Community College                 
Exploring the impact of wealth inequality and discussing ways to address poverty and uplift marginalized communities.

The third program of the 2023-24 Social Justice Educational Series at Onondaga Community College, coordinated by RiseUp for Social Action.

Wednesday, November 15th at 3:30pm

Federal Building, 100 S Clinton Street, Syracuse

Indivisible Onondaga County, CNY Indivisible, Indivisible Salt City and other constituents

Demonstration of Onondaga County constituents calling on Rep Williams to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown at all costs. 

Congressman Brandon Williams must do his job and keep the government open. Onondaga County workers want to work, and he should protect their paychecks. The deadline to pass another continuing resolution is 11:59 pm on Friday, November 17th. 

Constituents are worried that since Speaker Mike Johnson did not vote for the last CR on September 30th, he may not bring up the bipartisan CR from the Senate to fund the government through the rest of the year. Rep Williams voted for Johnson for Speaker. Rep Williams has not spoken publicly about his plan to keep the government open.

Concerned constituents will be holding a peaceful, non-violent, law abiding rally in front of the federal building calling for Rep. Williams to keep the government open so workers can work and constituents can access important services.

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November 16 at these Starbucks Locations:

8:00 am – 10:00 am  3475 Erie Boulevard East 3475 Erie Blvd , Syracuse

9:00 am — 10:00 am Fairmount Starbucks 3604 W Genesee St., Syracuse

Red Cup Day is Starbucks biggest sales day of the year. On Thursday, November 16 , the “Red Cup Rebellion”, we will support striking Starbucks workers to protest Starbucks’ s unfair labor practices  at the above non-union locations.

Thursday, November 16, 5pm – 6pm

Immigrant Tea Time is an online community discussion group hosted by the New York Immigration Coalition. Participation is free and open to everyone, whether you are an immigrant, refugee, family, friend, or ally. If you are interested in learning about social issues, community organizing, current events, and more, please join us! Questions? Please contact Bryan Lee (blee@nyic.org)

The New York Immigration Coalition, a state-wide, member-led coalition of immigrant and refugee organizations, works to transform the lives of all New Yorkers by strengthening and building our members’ power, organizing and educating our communities and the public, and using our collective voice to advocate for opportunity and justice.

Register at Zoom link

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc., a free, virtual forum 

Friday, November 17 | 12-1 PM

The forum will feature a panel discussion on the next chapter of sustainable planning for Central New York. Panelists will explore the definition of sustainability today, effective local policies and practices, and Plan Onondaga. They will also share best practices for individuals, businesses, and municipalities to promote a healthy and vital CNY region. This informative and thought-provoking forum is open to all who are interested in learning about sustainable planning and its role in creating a resilient future for our planet and our region. Join us and be a part of the conversation on how we can work together to make a positive impact on our community. 

REGISTER

Saturday, November 18 | 10 am – 5 pm | MOST

Join us for the largest native craft show in the area! Featuring 40 local native artisans and crafters, the MOST Native Arts & Crafts Show, sponsored by Honest Engine Films, has thousands of items for sale from some of our area’s most talented designers. This is a great opportunity to shop local and support local vendors as you get a start to your holiday giving. Admission free with a ticket to the MOST or free to any MOST member.

RSVP & Share on Facebook

Sunday, Nov 19 @ 4PM

Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America

Conntinuing our discussion of our Palestinian solidarity work.  If this is an area of organizing you want to dive into or learn more about, we strongly encourage you to attend!

A hybrid option will be available, masks are required for anyone joining in person!

RSVP For ADDRESS(In-Person) or Zoom Link:syracusedsa@protonmail.com

Thursday, Nov. 23, 10 AM – 11AM

Willow Bay @ Onondaga Lake Park

7189 Onondaga Lake Trl, Liverpool, NY 13088, United States

On Thanksgiving morning, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation gather each year with Onondaga people on the shores of Onondaga Lake to express thanks for the goodness of the Earth and to each other for our ongoing friendship, working side-by-side in peace and hope for healing, justice, and environmental restoration. You are invited to join us.

Some years it’s relatively warm, other years snowy and frigid. Please dress for the weather.

Questions, contact Andy Mager andy.mager@gmail.com

Details on Facebook

Sat. Dec. 2, 10 AM – 5 PM. 501 W Fayette St, Syr

Shop for original art for the holidays + see artist spaces as Delavan Studios opens for its annual event. 

Tickets $4 in advance – at Delavan office – or $5 at the door.

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December 2 & 3, 2023

Nottingham High School

Join us at the 53rd annual Plowshares Crafts Fair! With over 120 local artisans and community organizations selling handmade crafts, Plowshares is the perfect place to get all your holiday shopping done at once.

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Dec. 8 & 9: Friday 2-6pm Saturday 11am-4pm. 

Free admission.

Come to ArtRage Gallery for your Holiday Shopping and support craftspeople from around the world. Guatemalan goods from Mayan Hands, holiday gifts from India, Palestine, Bangladesh, Nepal and more from SERRV International, handmade sandals and embroidered shoes from Mexico.

Fair Trade Cocoa and cookies for our guests. It’s a fun and warm holiday tradition and we hope to see you there.

We are looking for a few more vendors! Please get in touch with any suggestions of local fair trade businesses.

ArtRage Events

Saturday, December 16, 7-9:30 PM at University United Methodist Church (1085 E Genesee St, Syracuse)

Syracuse Street Heat is just one, very unencumbered way to work for peace and social justice. We’re part of a decades-long grassroots tradition here, in Ithaca and elsewhere. We stand out and stand up for what we stand for. 

A handful of us stand at busy intersections, for 45 minutes at rush hour, pivoting to the traffic with hand-held signs. We want to get the public thinking about issues often underrepresented in the media. We’re there weekly in almost all of Syracuse’s weather (we seldom cancel). Bring your own sign – or use one of ours. No meetings or committees, so participation time is minimal (yay!) Our Team:  Ann, Dick, Ed, Geoff, Jim, Julienne, Les, Leslie, Peter…. 

To learn more, call Ann: (315) 478 4571.      

1ST TUESDAYS: 4 PM to 4:45 PM at Hancock’s main gate.

EVERY FRIDAY: 4 to 4:45 p.m. – JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE

West sidewalk of the broad intersection of Erie Blvd East & East Genesee St., DeWitt (across from the Fire Dept.) For years our focus has been on solidarity with the people of Palestine.

If temperature is below 20 degrees, we will cancel.

cnysolidarity.org

https://www.facebook.com/cnysolidarity

https://twitter.com/cnysolidarity      

Donate to the CNY Solidarity Coalition

CNY Solidarity Coalition contributes regularly to local progressive organizations: Syracuse Peace Council, National Action Network, & Urban Jobs Coalition. We also make occasional donations as needed to other local groups. We depend on your donations for this. 

Donate Online through PayPal

Mail donations to: 

CNY Solidarity Coalition

P.O. Box 6137, Teall Post Office, 226 Teall Ave., Syracuse NY 13217

Our Committees

To sign up for each of the committee mailing lists, contact the person listed. 

Indivisible Onondaga County: 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

Peter McCarthy

Coordinating Committee

CNY Solidarity Coalition