CNY Solidarity Coalition Upcoming Meeting Schedule: 

(No meeting in July)

Sunday, August 11 In person at Bishop Harrison Community Room

(NOTE: CNY Solidarity Coalition is a founding member of SustainCNY, along with other local environmental organizations.)

Wetlands Permitting Action Needed for Micron Plant, Clay, NY

The deadline is fast approaching to submit written comments to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on the federal wetlands permit related to the proposed White Pine Commerce Park Chip fab development (the Micron plant). Public comments, and requests for a public hearing, must be in writing and received by 4:30 pm on July 31, 2024

Micron is going to build on 200 acres of wetlands, plus destroy over a mile of an existing stream.  Surrounding wetlands will likely be impacted because the hydrology will be altered, and the development will increase the risks of non-point source pollution. Three endangered species, the Sedge Wren, Indiana Bat, and Northern Long-Eared Bat, will be affected.

Please submit comments clearly referencing “Application No: LRB-2000-02198 (Section: NY)” to: US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District

File via email to: celrb-micron.public.comments@usace.army.mil

SustainCNY urges you to comment on your own, or to use this template letter and send it to the ACOE so that at a minimum, these three demands are made:

1. If Micron/OCIDA has to build on this site, they should be required to construct or rehabilitate between 300 and 400 acres of wetlands in the vicinity to offset the loss.
   
   

2. That, in addition to this written comment period, a public hearing be held to obtain public comments because it is necessary to assure the public has adequate opportunity to be heard.
   
   

3. The review of this permit be subject to the NEPA EIS, and the permit is not issued until the NEPA prescribed process, including adequate public review and comment on all aspects and details of the mitigation plans for this action as well as other aspects of the proposed development, are completed.

Further information: contact us at info@sustainCNY.org. 

SustainCNY is volunteer-driven. You can help us grow our work by donating through the GreeningUSA website – please note the donation is for Sustain CNY.

Organizations: to join Sustain CNY, contact us at info@sustaincny.org or use this Google Form.

Individuals can participate through a member organization– we recommend joining GreeningUSA, which has reasonable dues at $40 per year.  

Now is the time for action, not distraction! Project 2025 threatens our democracy. While we know that Project 2025 will destroy civil rights, reproductive freedom and turn our country towards extremist Christian Nationalism – too many of our friends and family are completely unaware. But we can change that together! No one is better equipped to help us meet this challenge than our favorite historian Heather Cox Richardson. Join us to hear from Heather on what we can do together to win this battle in November.

This YouTube video with HCR is from July 15. Watch on YouTube.

Do you want to know what’s in this year’s City budget? Wonder why City spending is up $30 million? Why does 80% of our revenue come from just 3 sources? Curious to know why our debt payments are up over $10 million? Check out the Syracuse City Auditor’s latest report called Making Dollars & Sense. 

View Report  |  Read & Watch Article  |  Follow Syracuse City Auditor on Facebook

More counties are turning to private corporations to run medical care in jails. The companies have deadly track records.

For-profit health care companies like PrimeCare have proliferated in New York jails in recent decades — even as scores of incarcerated people have died after they were provided inadequate care, according to a New York Focus review of court records, state death investigations, and financial reports. On Central Current

Read it on Central Current 

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the City of Syracuse will host five 

neighborhood open houses to collect input on the Community Grid Vision Plan, a multi-decade look ahead at how Syracuse can maximize the positive impact of the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project on neighborhoods and mobility. The sessions will be held in Downtown Syracuse and in all four quadrants of the city during the month of August. These five sessions are in addition to open houses held in February.

The sessions will be held at the following times and locations:

• Monday, August 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Lucy’s Church (432 Gifford St., Syracuse, NY 13204 – Westside)

• Tuesday, August 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Magnarelli Community Center (2300 Grant Blvd., Syracuse NY, 13208 – Northside) 

• Thursday, August 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the OCPL Central Library (447 South Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202 – Downtown)

• Monday, August 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Nottingham High School (3100 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13224 – Eastside)

• Monday, August 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church (515 Oakwood Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205- Southside)
  
  

The City introduced the Community Grid Vision Plan last February.This comprehensive plan reflects extensive input from neighborhoods and stakeholders, including a weeklong design charette in August 2022 that engaged city residents in envisioning and designing the future. More information on the Community Grid Vision Plan can be found at syr.gov/communitygrid.

An Appalachian writer says Hillbilly Elegy played to bogus notions on the left and right about the impoverished region. The only thing that benefited was Vance’s political career.

…It’s dangerous because there’s such a lack of complexity in the book in a time when the national conversation lacks more and more nuance. There’s no nuance in the book. There’s a lot that’s false and intentionally misleading, and I always think that’s really dangerous when there’s intentional misinformation being shared. And I think he’s dangerous because he embodies all of that. And it seems to me that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to rise. 

Read it on Politico

Note: this is from 4 years ago,  but it is absolutely relevant today. 

…real politics is constant activism. It’s quite different from the establishment position, which says politics means focus, laser-like, on the quadrennial extravaganza, then go home and let your superiors take over.

The left position has always been: You’re working all the time, and every once in a while there’s an event called an election. This should take you away from real politics for 10 or 15 minutes. Then you go back to work.

…You vote against the worst. You keep the pressure and activism going.

Read the interview

July 24, 2024.   7 – 8 P.M.

Info & Registration for Link 

Beyond Plastics

July 25, 2024 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm at 

Dr. King Elementary School (416 E. Raynor Ave.) during the 2024 CNY Housing Fair Event

This immersive experience includes gift card giveaways for participants (limited to 30 on a first come first serve basis), a panel discussion featuring community members, and surveying. We will be delving into the rise of trade and skill work in Syracuse, and how this shift impacts traditionally underrepresented groups. Your voice and feedback are crucial as we navigate these changes together. There are only 30 seats available at a first come first serve basis! The first 25 to secure their spot by signing up using the link below to secure their ticket will walk away with a guaranteed monetary gift at the end! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of the conversation! 

Register Here

Stop at the Syracuse Peace Council Booth and visit CNY Solidarity Coalition

Help CNY Solidarity at the table: Fill out Google Form to Volunteer 

Friday, July 26: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 27: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 28: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Arts & Crafts – The 2024 Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival will feature around 150 artists and crafters representing 19 U.S. States and Canada. Visitors can shop and browse among the art and craft exhibits showcasing an exceptionally wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts, from functional to decorative.

Performing Arts – The festival also features the performing arts. A full schedule of free continuous entertainment will include street performances by musicians, costumed ethnic dance groups, and local singers/songwriters.

Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival

Syracuse Peace Council at the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival 

Join us and table at the Festival! We will be part of the Montgomery Street Arts Collective. Founded by Alberta Pepin and Walt Shepperd, the collective provides grants to organizations whose youth art programs support underserved communities. 

Each vendor makes a donation of their profits which are then donated to youth programs like the YMCA’s Creative Writing Programs, the Onondaga Nation School Art Dept., La Casita Cultural Center, The Community Folk Art Gallery and the Westcott Community Center afterschool art program on the Eastside. 

We need you to come and help us out over the 3 days. Please click the link here to find a volunteer form. 

Friday, July 26, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Opening reception.

Exhibition runs May 31 to August 16, 2024, in Lightworks Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery.

316 Waverly Ave, Syracuse

Black Artist Collective member and photographer Will Stith’s (@willdabeast215), work is on view in the group exhibition at Light Work titled “According to the Laws of Chance.” The artists in this exhibition—Cheryl Miller, Claire A. Warden, Jaclyn Wright, Josh Thorson, Kyle Tata, Louis Chavez, Will Stith, and Light Work’s collection artists Cecil McDonald, Jr., James Welling, Peter Finnemore, and Rita Hammond—explore and define chance as a core element of their diverse practices.

Will Stith’s photography practice involves constant engagement with the camera, capturing spontaneous and intricate body language at events and in city centers. His readiness to photograph moments as they unfold reflects the themes of chance integral to his work. Stith has frequently used his lens to make images of Black Artist Collective events, lending his talents to archiving the collective’s vibrant activities and cultural contributions.

July 27, 2024, 8:30 A.M. – 12 Noon

CNS High School, 6002 Rt. 31, Cicero, Ny 13039

Info & Registration

Saturday & Sunday, July 27-28 @ 10 AM – 5 PM
Ganondagan State Historic Site

7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) Victor, NY 14564

Ganondagan’s annual Indigenous Music & Arts festival showcases Haudenosaunee and Indigenous cultures through dance, music, storytelling, traditional craft demonstrations, an Indigenous Arts Market, children’s activities, Indigenous food, and more.

This year welcomes Māori artists and performers. The event will feature artist demonstrations, dance performances and collaborative opportunities with Haudenosaunee artists, performers, and culture bearers. Artists will also be selling their work.

More Info

Sunday, July 28. 1:30 – 6 PM All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse

Meet the Gaza Solidarity Encampment 4 Greater Liberation

Raise Funds for Operations and Families in Gaza

Cookout! Art/Handmade Goods Sale! Bake Sale! Watermelon Stand! Live Music!

The Syracuse GSE 4 Greater Liberation is making their post de-camping debut back in the community! The community was so great while the encampment was going on, and we wanted to reach out and invite folks to come be in community with us again.

Bring your unwanted returnable cans and bottles for us to take off your hands as well! All money raised from can and bottle returns will go directly towards relief aid in Palestine.

More Here

Tuesday, July 30, 5PM

447 South Salina St, Syracuse NY

Citizen Action of New York – CNY Chapter and CNY Solidarity Coalition

Millions of New Yorkers rely on Medicare and Medicaid for healthcare and these critical programs are under attack by MAGA Republicans like Brandon Williams and private health insurance companies. Join Citizen Action of NY and Syracuse community members to celebrate the importance of Medicare and Medicaid and to commit to fighting to protect and improve healthcare by electing healthcare champions in November. 

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/citizenactionny/event/652250/

Help spread the word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/466442259513584

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 7:00 PM 

According to Meteorologist Peter Hall, yesterday (July 15) Syracuse TIED the record high for that date, and Syracuse has never had this many 90° days (16) thru July 15. In light of these heat waves, the NY Assembly’s and Governor Hochul’s failure to pass the NY HEAT Act during the legislative session are even more appalling. 

Join Renewable Heat Now for our monthly virtual power hour! These meetings are a great place to learn, get plugged in, and take quick and easy but impactful actions with us. 

We’ll be sharing summer actions to build power to pass the NY HEAT Act and share how you can plug into other RHN initiatives.

We’re fighting for policies and funding to phase fossil fuels out of buildings to fight climate change, lower utility bills, create good green jobs, and make New York healthier! 

Register to Receive Link

Aug. 6, 7 PM BH

Bishop Harrison Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, 13210.

The Syracuse Peace Council will sponsor a screening and discussion of the award-winning 20-minute documentary Appreciation: The Tomiko West Story, a survivor’s story of Hiroshima, with Director Michael Dwyer. 

Jeremy Love, National Field Organizer of the Back from the Brink Campaign to Prevent Nuclear War will lead a discussion about escalating tension between nuclear-armed nations and actions citizens are taking to prevent nuclear catastrophe. 

Free and open to the public (donations accepted). Refreshments will be served.

August 9, 11:30 AM Gathering. 12:oo Procession

Clinton Square, Syracuse NY 13202

August 10, 2024. At Bread and Roses Collective,  405 Westcott St., Syracuse, NY 13210

3:00 – 3:30 p.m., Free garden tour open to the public.

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Cooking class. REGISTRATION REQUIRED (Space Limited). 

By:  Climate Change Awareness and Action and Bread and Roses

Sign Up Here

This cooking course will go over vegan recipes using locally sourced and home-grown ingredients while discussing the effects of food and agriculture on our climate. The event has two parts: a short 30 minute garden tour that is free and open to the public, then a cooking class that REQUIRES registration as space and supplies are limited. Attendees will receive a recipe booklet of the dishes that they will be creating that evening.

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 or Ed: (315) 478 4571.      

FIRST & THIRD TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH…4 TO 4:45 P.M. (Killer Drones)

Across from the main gate of Hancock AFB, home of the 174th Attack Wing of the NYS National Guard  training Reaper drone operators. 6000 East Molloy Road.

EVERY FRIDAY…4 to 4:45 p.m. (“CEASE FIRE NOW”, etc./ Palestine solidarity)

A handful of us disperse along the sidewalk with our signs at the very busy intersection of Erie Blvd East and East Genesee St. (across from the DeWitt fire station; park in the nearby mini mall lot.)

EVERY  SATURDAY…9 to 9:45 a.m. 

(range of issues: racism, Palestine solidarity  anti-war, anti-war, etc.)

Across from the Syracuse Regional Market, 2100 Park  St. at the 81N Liverpool/Park St. exit. Park in the Market lot on the north side of Park. You can use one of our signs or bring your own.

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: Tom Keck

Climate Justice: Contact: Dick Kornbluth

SLAT (State/Local Action Team) Contact: Peter McCarthy  

Beyond War and Militarism: A joint committee of CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council. Contact: Ron Van Norstrand

Elaine Denton

Peter McCarthy

Coordinating Committee

CNY Solidarity Coalition