Action Alerts – Week of July 31st – CNY Solidarity Coalition

We had an amazing victory last week when the US Senate voted to reject the latest version of TrumpCare. Much credit goes to all of you for your tireless phone calling and demonstrating. Similar grassroots groups have been doing the same throughout the country, and Congress is on notice that they can’t throw millions of people off their health insurance without the country rising up to resist.

We got good feedback on the call relay last week, so we’re going to make it a regular Wednesday tradition. This week, we’ll be calling Rep. Katko regarding Trump’s recent decision to exclude transgender people from the military. Click here to sign up for a specific time on Wednesday when you’ll place your call.

And now, on to the action alerts:

Monday (July 31):

Focusing on local energy and environment issues today, with 1 phone call, plus in-person National Grid hearings

Support sustainable development in Onondaga County

From our climate justice committee: Please call your Onondaga County legislator and urge him/her to adopt the Sustainable Development Plan that was created with extensive input from various experts and stakeholders in 2010-2012. It is a broad and thoughtful document, covering areas such as: smart growth; transportation and land use; reducing carbon emissions; conserving rural landscapes, and livability. It affirmatively strives to be environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable. It’s been updated twice, but it’s never been formally adopted by the County Legislature. As NYS joins other states to commit to the Paris goals and targets, and Mayor Miner is one of 187 Mayors For 100% Clean Energy, let’s get our County to take similar steps toward environmental justice and sustainability. Please call your county legislator today and ask them to vote to adopt the Sustainable Development Plan.

To find your county legislator, click here and then click on 2012 District Maps (on the left-hand side of the page). Find your home on the map, identify your district #, then click here to find the name and phone number for your legislator.

National Grid Rate Hike Hearings TODAY

Monday, July 31, 2017, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Syracuse – Nottingham High School

3100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13224

Information Sessions at 2:00 and 6:00 PM, followed by an opportunity for the public to be heard at 3:00 and 7:00 PM. A link to recent media coverage is here.

Tuesday (Aug 1)

Defend free speech; Oppose the Israel Anti-Boycott Act

Today, please call Sen. Gillibrand’s Syracuse office, thank her and her staff for all their hard work in blocking TrumpCare, and urge her to reconsider her support for the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720). As stated by the ACLU last week, this bill would criminalize constitutionally protected boycotts and certain speech targeting Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. CNY Solidarity has not taken a position for or against boycotts of Israel (or any other government), but the First Amendment clearly prohibits legislation punishing advocacy of non-violent boycotts.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand both co-sponsored this bill in May, but at a town hall in the Bronx last week, Gillibrand responded to a question by acknowledging the ACLU’s opposition and indicating a willingness to reconsider her position. Please call her today and urge her to withdraw her cosponsorship. Sen. Gillibrand’s Syracuse office can be reached at 315-448-0470.

Wednesday (Aug 2):

One phone call today, plus a rally for immigrant rights in Penn Yan

Demand LGBT equality now!

Last week, Pres. Trump announced (via Twitter) that transgender persons would no longer be permitted to serve in the US military. Please call Rep. Katko today and demand that he issue a public statement condemning this decision; that he support legislation to block its implementation; and that he sign on as co-sponsor of the Equality Act (HR 2282). This bill would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity among the prohibited grounds of discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations. The bill has 196 co-sponsors in the House, including 2 Republicans, but Katko isn’t one of them.

We’ll be calling Rep. Katko’s Syracuse office (315-423-5657). Before you call, please click here to sign up for a specific time when you’ll do so. After you call, please return to that same link and provide a brief note indicating whom you spoke with and what he/she said.

Rally for immigrant rights in Penn Yan

4:30-5:30pm: Rally in Solidarity w/ Families Affected by Polimigra, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 179 Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Thursday (Aug 3):

Focusing on the environment today, with a letter to the editor, a presentation/discussion, and a film

Katko is not a moderate

Rep. Katko often describes himself as a moderate on climate and environmental issues, but over the past couple weeks, he voted for bills that would slash funding for clean energy research, authorize Alaska to build a road through a federal wildlife refuge, undermine the Clean Air Act, and allow faster rubber-stamping of pipeline projects. More details on the IndivisibleNY24 Twitter feed here. Today, please pick one or more of these bills and write a letter to the editor indicating your views on Katko’s votes. The Indivisible folks have a new page with tips on writing effective letters to the editor, and CNY Solidarity has a page (now somewhat dated) with contact info for key local newspapers.

From our friends with Climate Change Awareness & Action

6:30-8pm: “OUR CLIMATE, OUR KIDS, WHAT WILL THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?” Talk by Dr. Gene Fry, the opening keynote speaker at 2016 World Conference on Climate Change. Manlius Library Community Room. 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Manlius, NY 13104. Arrive early, seating is limited. More details here.

After Dr. Fry’s talk, a number of CNY Solidarity members are planning to grab a bite to eat and then hit the 9:40pm showing of An Inconvenient Sequel, which opens today at Destiny. Email Kitty otiscohills@yahoo.com for more details.

Friday (Aug 4):

Taking a break from phone-calling today, but we’re sharing some info on an important national voting rights fight and we’re meeting with Sen. Schumer’s staffer at 2pm

Defend voting rights for all

One of the most important fronts in advance of the 2018 and 2020 elections will be defending and expanding voting rights for all. Democracy advocates are currently collecting signatures in Florida to place an initiative on the November 2018 ballot to restore voting rights to convicted felons. Click here to learn more about (and support!) the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.

Meeting with Schumer staffer

2pm: We have a meeting with Joe Nehme, Senator Schumer’s regional director, at the Center for Peace and Social Justice, 2013 E. Genesee. Please come at 1:30pm to help set the agenda. For more details, email Jonah jonah.zern@gmail.com.

Saturday (Aug 5):

No actions today (until further notice!). Enjoy the day with friends and family.

Sunday (Aug 6):

CNY Solidarity meeting, followed by Hiroshima Day commemoration

3-5pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Bishop Harrison Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210. More details on the agenda will be provided later in the week.

5-9pm: Hiroshima Day Family Picnic, Thornden Park Lily Pond in Syracuse. From 5:00 to dusk, there will be a family potluck picnic to commemorate Hiroshima Day. Join folks from the Syracuse Peace Council and others in remembrance of the nuclear attack at Hiroshima as well as working towards a nuclear free world. Peace games, crafts, lantern floating, Nia and Salsa classes for kids and adults, food by With Love Restaurant, Wegmans and others! All are welcome! This event will be followed up on August 9 with the Nagasaki Day Procession downtown.

Save the date for these upcoming events:

Tue., Aug 8, 6:30-8pm: Roving teach-in on Trump, the Environment, and Climate Change, University United Methodist Church, 1085 E. Genesee St.

Wed., Aug 9, 11:30am: Nagasaki Day procession, starting from Hanover Square, East Water and South Warren Streets in Syracuse.

Thur., Aug. 10, 2pm: Meeting with State Assembly Member Magnarelli. If you can attend (and esp. if you live in Magnarelli’s district), please rsvp to Paul at canela8800@gmail.com.

Mon., Aug. 14, 6-8pm: Town Hall Meeting—24^th District Congressional Race, organized by Indivisible Cayuga, co-sponsored by CNY Solidarity. Student Lounge, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021

Wed., Aug. 23, 7pm: CNY Solidarity meeting, location TBD

Sept. 18, 6:30-8pm: Roving Teach-In on the Trump Administration and the Constitution, Palmyra Community Library.

Today and every day, be sure to follow us online and on social media!

Check out our website: www.cnysolidarity.org