Amid the litany of high profile videos and reports on the surfacing of Jim Crow in coffee shops, public parks, and college campuses during the past few weeks was the story of Bob Marley’s eldest granddaughter being racially profiled as she left an AirBnB in Rialto, California. In a press conference afterward, Donisha Prendergast remarked that, though her blood did not run in the streets, she and her friends had met with violence. She added, “What happened to all of us is indignity.” She sounded a theme that grows more resonant every day.
The fight for dignity is at the heart of the Green Light, NY campaign that sent organizers to Albany again yesterday, in a relentless struggle for drivers’ licenses for all–a small tool to protect immigrant families from being separated by ICE while going about their daily lives as workers, parents, and neighbors.
The fight for dignity is at the heart of the Poor People’s Campaign, which also converged on Albany yesterday as well as in D.C. and 38 state capitols, launching 40 days of civil disobedience in a struggle to transform “the nation’s political, economic, and moral structures.”
The fight for dignity is at the heart of the Palestinian struggle to return to their ancestral homes, a struggle to which Israel responded yesterday with what The Guardian calls “war crimes.” At least 58 unarmed Palestinian protesters have been killed in a single day in this atrocity, at the heels of a month long protest that have left already dozens of Palestinians dead at the hands of Israeli snipers. We plan to stand at the Federal Building at 4 pm today with others similarly distressed by these recent events and we hope you will join us.
The demand for dignity is interwoven with a refusal of colonialism, apartheid, and capitalist exploitation.
The demand for dignity is the bass line to international solidarity’s song.
We invite you to join the chorus.
Maureen Curtin and Marianna Kaufman
COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT CALENDAR FOR MAY 15-22
Nakba Rally and Teach-In – Syracuse
Tuesday May 15th 4 PM – 5 PM James M Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton St.
Join a community demonstration and teach-in to observe the 70h anniversary of the Nakba and to call for justice for the Palestinian people.
Every year on May 15, Palestinians and their allies around the world mark the Nakba, or “catastrophe” in Arabic, referring to the violent expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland to establish the state of Israel. Between 1947 and 1949, at least 750,000 out of 1.9 million Palestinians were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. This violent expulsion came after several decades of colonization.
As long as the US government continues to shower Israel with $3.8 billion annually in military aid, people of conscience must speak out against the crimes sustained with our tax dollars. To achieve peace, the Israeli state and government officials must be held accountable for their crimes. We must push Congress to implement sanctions against Israel until it ends the occupation of Palestinian lands and recognizes the full rights of Palestinians, including the rights of refugees to return to their homes.
Syracuse Peace Council’s Street Heat
Tuesday May 15th 4:15 PM – 5 PM Hancock Airbase, opposite main gate, 6000 E. Molloy
Saturday May 19th 9 AM – 9:45 AM by Regional Market Main Entrance Syracuse
Tuesday May 22nd 4:15 – 5 PM East Genesee St and Erie Blvd East in Dewitt
The Syracuse area hosts Hancock Air National Guard base where the Guard’s 174th Attack Wing conducts drone assassination and target identification missions using MQ-9 Reaper drone in Afghanistan and probably elsewhere. Syracuse Peace Council’s Street Heat holds a monthly presence outside Hancock Airbase to call for an end to the illegal and immoral killing of human beings by weaponized drones, which are piloted remotely from the base.
Join us! Signs provided or bring your own progressive signs. Contact for questions (315) 478-4571
Women United of CNY Event hosted by United Way of Central New York
Tuesday May 15th 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Advance Media New York 220 S Warren St, Syr.
Learn the latest in Cognitive Health across the ages. Upstate Medical University President and Health System CEO, Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP will introduce two of Upstate’s top physicians, Zulma Tovar Spinoza, MD – Associate Professor of Neurosurgery & Pediatrics and Sharon Brangman, MD – Division Chief of Geriatrics & Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Also hear from Early Childhood Alliance Director, Laurie Black on nurturing healthy brains in our children to thrive in school and have success in life.
Trees in Trouble – Film Screening and Discussion
Tuesday May 15th 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at ArtRage Gallery 505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse
Presented as part of The Gifford Foundation “What If…” Film Series in partnership with Onondaga Earth Corps
Trees in Trouble tells the story of America’s urban and community forests: their history, their growing importance to our health, economy and environment – and the serious threats they now face. Through stories of everyday people on the frontlines of change, the film will show how community-wide efforts can save and protect our urban forests for future generations. Designed for audiences of all ages, Trees in Trouble inspires viewers to take action, and points towards first steps.
Trees in Trouble tells the story of Cincinnati’s response to the threat to its trees posed by the emerald ash borer. However, the film’s message is not limited to southern Ohio: across the country, from Massachusetts to San Diego, Minneapolis to Charleston, thousands of communities face the same threat: valuable and beloved trees being killed by non-native insects or diseases.
Reading Group: Orwell’s Road to Wigan Pier
Tuesday May 15th 7 PM – 8:30 PM at Barry Park, Syracuse
We are meeting to discuss the Road to Wigan Pier by socialist author George Orwell, the next book our reading group will tackle. For this meeting we will only read Part I or pp. 4-108 in this free pdf: https://libcom.org/files/wiganpier.pdf
You don’t have to be a member to participate. Join the discussion!
Thursday May 17th 5PM – 5:45 PM 1030 James St, Syracuse
Residents of Central New York will rally at Sinclair’s Syracuse office on Thursday, May 17th at 5PM. We are rallying to highlight the contrived “School Safety Town Hall” that Sinclair hosted two weeks ago which provided a platform for the NRA’s A-rated John Katko and policing our schools and ignoring the very issue of gun safety and gun violence that was the very reason for their media event in the first place.
CNY Solidarity invites all Central New Yorkers who were denied the opportunity to speak to join us and share your concerns with the fear-based reporting that Sinclair pushes on our local community and around the country.
Thursday May 17th 6PM – 7:30PM at Northern Onondaga Public Lib. 100 Trolley Barn Ln
Flip NY24 Presents: Social Justice, Voter Reg & More!
We are holding this meeting on a weeknight so all of you can enjoy your Spring weekends! We have invited Herve Comeau to speak about his important work in our community. Herve Comeau is an immigration attorney at a non-profit, a writer, and a local activist around immigrant’s rights and police accountability. He is a member of the Citizens Review Board, The NYCLU advisory board, and a founding member of Black Lives Matter Syracuse. He will be providing a survey of the fight for accountability in Syracuse, and next steps.
Then we will discuss training for voter registration booths and have sign ups for summer and fall. We will discuss our important summer activities as we get closer to Primary Voting on 6/26. New people are always welcome!
Artist Talk with Keith Morris Washington
Thursday May 17th 7PM – 9PM at ArtRage Gallery 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse
Join us for an Artist Talk with painter Keith Morris Washington, the artist behind our current exhibition; Within Our Gates: Site and Memory in the American Landscape.
Keith Morris Washington was inspired to create this series on lynchings in the mid-1990s. He prepared by researching at the archives of the Shomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City and the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, as well as by closely reading the book One Hundred Years of Lynchings by Ralph Ginzburg. These resources helped him to locate lynching sites, which he then traveled to and photographed, beginning in the summer of 1998. He then returned to his studio to paint from the photographs, both because he did not feel comfortable setting up his canvas in a strange place where his interest in local crimes was frequently not appreciated, and also because he is intrigued by the way people see the world through photographs. – From Basic Black, WGBH Boston
Washington is currently Associate Professor at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, Massachusetts. He received an MFA in Painting from Tufts University/School of the Museum of Fine Art, Boston, Massachusetts.
Friday May 18th 7 PM – 9 PM at ArtRage Gallery 505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse
From two-time Oscar winner Pedro Almodovar, comes this “mesmerizingly quirky film” (ECritic.com), at once a dark comedy and heartfelt tribute to women and their strength in face of life’s more outlandish challenges.
**** One of the year’s (2006) best –Rolling Stone
http://artragegallery.org/volver-2006/
Friday Films: More than a screening. Always a lively intro before and compelling discussion after.
Saturday May 19th 9 AM – 5 PM at Fowler High School 227 Magnolia St. Syracuse
The Climate Solutions Summit will feature powerful keynotes, panels, case studies and workshops on renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, movement building, environmental justice and more! Register Here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-solutions-summit-tickets-45146368002
This year our featured Keynotes will be, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, Oren Lyons, Former Director of Energy Development for Erie County, Eric Walker and Former EPA Regional Administrator, Judith Enck! See more program details at ClimateSolutionsSummit.org
Our Mission:
The Climate Solutions Summit aims to build a larger movement across the northeast that is prepared to take action to implement effective climate solutions. We seek to provide an opportunity for organizers and all people from communities across the region to come together to share projects, case studies, resources, experiences and skills to tackle climate change and implement solutions. Join the conversation online and use hashtag, #ClimateSummitSYR
The Climate Solutions Summit is co-sponsored by, ACE NY, New Yorkers for Clean Power, Mothers Out Front, the Sierra Club, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Climate Change Awareness and Action, CNY Regional Planning and Development Board, National Action Network Syracuse Chapter, Frack Action, The Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force and the Alliance for a Green Economy.
Improving Our Health at The Community Folk Arts Gallery
Saturday May 19th 9:30 AM – 12 PM 805 E Genesee St, Syracuse
Join us for an open forum and discussion on treatment, safe relationships, access to care and the impact of the transmission and diagnosis of HIV/AIDs and STDs. Healthy Snacks will be provided. Please contact jjamesnaccpsyr@gmail.com or 315-422-6933.
SCC Spring Fling Dinner, Cabaret and Auction
Saturday May 19th 4:30 PM – 10 :30 PM Saint Paul’s Episcopal 310 Montgomery St, Syr
The evening starts with Appetizers and Jazz at 4:30pm, followed at 5:30pm by dinner and dessert. The Show starts at 7:15 pm. Come for the whole affair or just for the show and dessert!
Get your dinner reservation now to guarantee a seat. If available, tickets for the dinner will also be sold at the door. Purchase Advance Reservations Here: http://syracusecommunitychoir.org/dinner-show-tickets/
or contact Darlene: 315-413-9441/darlene@syracusecommunitychoir.org
Cabaret: Marcia Hagan, Curtis Waterman, Ava Andrews, Alison Mullan-Stout, Colleen Kattau, Signature Soul, Five-To-Life, Zeke Leonard, Al Zapalla, Riley Mahan, the Cluck Cluck Gals, Jy-Keise Thomas, Kath Fathers, Hoops Springs Eternal, and more!
Get a head start on the Spring Fling Silent Auction with Online Bidding. Bidding will continue online and at the Dinner/Show/Auction on May 19… or there is an option to ‘buy now’ on the website. We will be adding items up until the day of the event. Check out what’s available!
www.32auctions.com/scc2018
Sunday May 20th 3 PM – 4:30 PM 500 Plum Street, Syracuse
Register @ www.creekfloat.org Creek Float is a floating art parade held on Onondaga Creek through the heart of downtown Syracuse.
The event is held in an effort to raise awareness and appreciation for the conservation of Onondaga Creek and the newly renovated Onondaga Creekwalk. The event coordinators work closely with Creek Rats, Inc., a non profit conservation group committed to preserving Onondaga Creek and promoting the beautification of downtown Syracuse and the Creekwalk. It is a fun twist on the standard perception of an art show.
Create a piece of art that floats!!
(Less than 3 feet tall !!! Atleast 2-3 feet wide)
CNY Solidarity Meeting at Central Village Boys and Girls Club
Sunday May 20th 3 PM – 5 PM Central Village Boys and Girls Club 212 Van Buren St
We will meet for one hour of a full coalition meeting followed by one hour of break out committees.
The full coalition meeting will focus on some of the issues central to the Boys and Girls club, including school funding, school conditions, neighborhood safety, health, and lead exposure.
We will be hearing from members of the Boys and Girls Club and members of Uplift of Syracuse.
Monday May 21st 6 PM – 8 PM CrestHill Suites 6410 New Venture Gear Drive, E Syracuse
Join community members for a panel discussion sponsored by NY Loves Kids, Inc. with five thought leaders from the Child Victims Act (CVA) movement. The Child Victims Act is legislation that would extend the criminal and civil statute of limitations in the Empire State for victims of childhood sexual abuse.
With U.S. speed skater, CEO and co-founder of NY Loves Kids, Bridie Farrell as emcee; the evening will commence with a discussion on the legislative status of the Child Victims Act and the bill’s key provisions. In April 2018, Farrell, along with other survivors including those of Dr. Larry Nassar testified before the United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security regarding the inaction of the United States Olympic Committee pertaining to protecting athletes from sexual abuse.
Following the panel discussion, mental health expert, Kevin Braney will give a presentation entitled Too Big to Fail: Why the Passage of the CVA is the Best Hope for Healing for both victims and the institutions who Fight its Passage. The evening will conclude with refreshments and an opportunity for discussion, introductions, and reflection.
School Advocacy Meeting hosted by Uplift Syracuse
Tuesday May 22nd 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Ironworkers 500 W Genesee St, Syracuse
We will be discussing the outcome of this years budget and planning steps forward. One of the steps forward will be a march for education. This will be an initial planning meeting for the march. Hope to see you there.
Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network Bi-weekly Meeting/Reunion Quincenal
Tuesday May 22nd 6:30 PM – 8 PM 2013 E Genesee St, Syracuse
Bi-weekly meeting. Anyone interested in joining is welcome. We will be meeting in the common area on the second floor. Wheelchair accessible. Please do not wear any fragrances. Spanish translation can be provided.
Please save the date for:
Kathy Kelly from Voices of Creative Nonviolence July 16th All Saints Church
Please take a moment to donate what you can here to help in the struggle to ensure housing for local farmworkers.
Also, if you haven’t already please sign the I 81 resolution. http://rethink81.org/take-action
Like and follow ReThink81 on facebook.
If you would like to add your event or fundraiser to the weekly community outreach event
calendar, please email the information in 100 words or less to Marianna.kaufman@gmail.com by Monday mornings at 9am.