This week’s calendar offers a mix of social movement opportunities–some focused on mobilizing, some on service, and some on organizing. While organizations can and do combine these strategies, it’s worth considering the theory of power that each strategy, taken discreetly, reflects.
Advocacy, mobilization, and service, Jane McAlevey tells us in No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age, all tend to be rooted in a conception of power as available exclusively to an elite group. To create the structural change we seek requires that we instead widen the frame to see the power that ordinary people have. Otherwise, assuming “elites will always rule” typically amounts to debates about “how to replace a very naughty elite with a ‘better’ elite . . . one [with whom we] ‘can work.'”
She further explains that when groups develop on a self-selected basis, their approach is activist-based which means those most impacted are deprived of the chance to develop power. This further makes it difficult to achieve the kind of scale that drives mass movements. Instead, McAlevey makes the case for engaging “people who may begin with little or no initial interest in being a part of any group.” It’s not merely a matter of “if ordinary people–so often referred to as ‘the grassroots’–are engaged, but how, why, and where they are engaged.”
We are fortunate to partner with local organizations that recognize the power of ordinary people. We hope you will plug in with their efforts and bring a friend, ideally someone who’s been on the sidelines.
Maureen and Marianna
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT CALENDAR FOR JULY 17 – 24
Syracuse Peace Council’s Street Heat
Tuesday July 17th 4:15 – 5 PM Hancock Airbase, opposite main gate 6000 E. Molloy
Saturday July 21st 9 AM – 9:45 AM by Regional Market Main Entrance Syracuse
Tuesday July 24th 4:15 – 5 PM Adams and Almond Sts. (Rt. 81 underpass)
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 twice 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
Bi-weekly Meeting/Reunión Quincenal
Tuesday July 17th 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 2013 E Genesee St, Syr
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.
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Reunión quincenal. Cualquier persona interesada en unirse es bienvenida. Nos reuniremos en el área común en el segundo piso. Silla de ruedas accesible. Por favor, no use ninguna fragancia. Traducción en español puede ser proporcionada.
Syracuse “Confront Corruption” Vigil
Wednesday July 18th 8 PM at James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 S Clinton St, Syr
Across the nation on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, we will Confront Corruption and Demand Democracy with a candlelight vigil at sundown.
From attacks on the rule of law to conflicts of interest, ethics violations and flagrant abuse of government offices for personal gain, the corruption of the American government by the President, his associates and many in his party has reached a new, profound low.
Officials are trading on the power invested in our institutions for personal and financial gain rather than for the welfare of the American people. From attacks on the Russia investigation to ethics scandals in the highest offices in the land, we must reject attempts to shield corruption from political consequences, public scrutiny, and legal accountability.
These issues are on top of years of challenges to the basic health of our democracy: from money in politics to attempts to shape congressional districts to manipulate outcomes and laws written intentionally to exclude voters from participating in our democracy.
Together, we must confront corruption and demand democracy.
Saturday July 21st 12 PM – 2 PM Libba Cotton Grove Syracuse
Syracuse DSA is hosting our second litter pickup. Please wear red! We’ll meet-up, share food, show everyone the routes and split into teams. Gloves, grabbers and bags provided! After that we’ll be getting the trash bags to the dump!
Torneo de Fútbol/Soccer Tournament!
Sunday July 22nd 8 AM – 4 PM @ Christian Brothers Academy 6245 Randall Rd, Syr
WCCNY’s 4th Annual Soccer Tournament Fundraiser
We are very excited to be having our annual family friendly soccer tournament fundraiser. We are in need of volunteers to help with set up, serving and selling food, childcare, staffing the welcome/info table (especially our bilingual friends!), clean up, etc.
We are also asking for donations to help us purchase gifts that will be raffling throughout tournament and to purchase ingredients to help us cook the delicious homemade food we will be selling on Sunday.
If you would like to make a donation, you can come by our office. We certainly appreciate your donations whether that be your time or your financial contriubtions! Please email Kayla at kkelechian@workerscentercny.org or give her a call at 315-385-9874 to volunteer or to donate.Again, we truly appreciate your support!
Syracuse Police Accountability and Reform Coalition (SPAARC) meeting
Monday July 23rd at 5:15 PM 499 South Warren, Suite 430.
A collection of groups and individuals working together to increase the accountability and transparency of the Syracuse Police Department and to imagine and work for reforms to the current system of policing in the city.
Contact ccklaver@gmail.com or yabdulqadir@nyclu.org for questions.
Syracuse DSA Summer Picnic at Green Lakes
Tuesday July 24th 5:30 PM @ Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, NY
Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America is hosting a picnic to welcome anyone who has just joined DSA or who is interested in learning more about DSA! And of course long time members! We are excited at new members joining and the recent increase in interest!
Look for our sign near in the main recreational area near the beach at Green Lake. Message us if you need a ride.
Please bring your picnic food and anything to pass around if you wish. We will bring some snacks and drinks.
This will be a very casual picnic. We will have a brief introduction to Syracuse DSA and give people a chance to learn about our committees and sign-up to join them. And then relax by the lake! Bring any games, musical instruments or toys you want! All ages are welcome.
A Hippocampe Beach/All Terrain wheelchair is now available at Green Lakes State Park to access beach and trails. The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first come, first serve basis from 11am-7pm. Please check with the lifeguards at the beach for availability. We realize that 7pm is before the listed endtime for the picnic. We will position ourselves by paved trails for best wheelchair access.
Please save the date for:
Get The Lead Out Block Party Saturday July 28th 11 am Dunk & Bright Furniture
Abolish ICE! Day of Action – Syracuse Tuesday July 31st 11:15 am 100 S Clinton St. Syracuse
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.