From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sun. Oct. 25, 2020, 3-4 PM, via Zoom. Link to come.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule: 11/8, 11/22. 12/6, 12/20/20, 1/10/21
The latest on what we can all do for the election:
The best way to fend off a Trump challenge to the election is a Biden landslide. The numbers reported on Nov. 3 will be critical in shaping public perceptions and the credibility of Trump’s challenges. Even in New York, where Biden is likely to win big, the early numbers will be critically important. So make your vote count, and be ready for action following the election!
One: Vote and Be Counted!
Here are four ways to vote, starting with the most secure and reliable:
1. Vote early in person, if you can. Your vote will be counted on election day. Early Voting starts 10/24 at six locations in Onondaga County.
2. Absentee Ballot, Drop off in Person. NOTE: You can now walk into the Board of Elections, complete an Absentee Ballot application, receive a ballot, complete it, and submit it, all in one visit. Like Early Voting, except your vote will be counted after Election Day. But you can do it now. http://www.ongov.net/elections/
3. Absentee Ballot, Mail it in. Do it now. Absentee ballots, delivered in person or by US Mail (2 0r #3), will all be counted after Election Day.
4. Election Day Voting. Last choice. Try to get it done earlier. (Trump has promised that there will be chaos on Election Day.)
Two: Take the Senate.
This could be essential in any challenge to the election results.
Donate to Indivisible’s Payback Project. They have targeted eleven Republican Senators who have to go. You can also sign up for phone and text banking in key states.
And for more perspectives on who else to support, see this article: How to actually make a difference if you’re nervous about the election Read it on Vox.
“What people should actually do with their time to deliver the kind of overwhelming defeat for Trump that will stabilize democracy and force changes.”
On flipping State legislatures: “There’s an ActBlue to support 48 state legislative candidates who could collectively flip 10 chambers. And there’s the F*ck Gerry(mandering) list and then there’s the GiveSmart Fund, which has a great track record.”
Three: Save the Election. UPDATE Oct. 13:
Some of us are meeting this week with representatives of several local progressive organizations about how to respond if/when Trump tries to steal the election, and to engage in possible proactive efforts to prevent that. We know that Trump is prepared to declare victory and begin legal battles if the results reported on Nov. 3 are close. We need to be ready for major demonstrations and other kinds of political action to prevent him from short circuiting the election. This may require weeks or months of work.
One action is now planned, depending on what happens on by Election Day:
Indivisible is calling for a nationwide action on November 4 at 5 PM. Save the date. More details to come.
Here are some of the resources we are looking at. You can start to get ready now.
· Indivisible’s https://protecttheresults.com is building a coalition of voters ready to mobilize..
· Choose Democracy is a new effort focused specifically on post-election action. Read this: 10 Things You Need to Know to Stop a Coup
· Hold the Line Organizing. M+R and re:power held a national roundtable featuring their Hold the Line Guide, and are supporting groups who want to create their own Hold the Line teams.
Non-Partisan Resources for Voting Information:
The Best Way to Vote in Every State Early voting, absentee ballots, registration, checking your status, etc.
Early Voting Information for Six Central New York Counties: Syracuse.com Article Here
VOTE411.org Register to vote, find your polling place, ballot info, and more at the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 site.
National Association of Secretaries of State. Includes contacts for all states.
New York Board of Elections: contacts for all counties
Onondaga County Board of Elections absentee ballots, early voting info, etc.
US Vote Foundation links to all state contacts.
Dana Balter for Congress: We need a progressive voice representing us in Congress, instead of someone who endorses Donald Trump for President! https://electdanabalter.com/
Biden/Harris campaign: https://joebiden.com/
Support NYS Senator Rachel May! Two years ago we elected a true progressive and helped change the direction our state. Let’s keep up the momentum. Donate Here
Phone bank schedule –
Every Wednesday and Thursday, from 5:30-7:30pm; Sunday, from 3-5pm
Zoom link for Wednesdays – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85386831372
Zoom link for Thursdays – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81998172465
Zoom link for Sundays – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88189381390
Text bank schedule –
Every Saturday, from 3-5pm
Zoom link for Saturdays – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83663766446
Articles of the Week:
Repeated from last week. Important. These two, particularly Barton Gellman’s, give the best, and scariest, overviews of what could happen. Barton Gellman’s “The Election that Could Break America” and Jeffrey Toobin’s “The Legal Fight Awaiting us after the Election.”
Election Guide 2020: Who will be on the ballot in Central New York? In Syracuse.com. Read it here.
Important Local Elections:
State Senator – 50th District (vote for 1) John W. Mannion (D-WF) vs. Angi Renna (R-C-I)
State Senator – 53rd District (vote for 1) Rachel May (D-WF) vs. Sam Rodgers (R-C-I-OTH) and Russell S. Penner (L)
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Important: Right to Know Act at Common Council Meeting at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday. (Yesterday’s notice was in error; Common Council Meetings are normally held on Mondays.)
By showing up online we can influence the Syracuse Common Council to pass this bill. They need to know people are watching.
The Right to Know Act would require Syracuse police officers to identify themselves, tell people why they’re being stopped, and ask for consent if a search is intended. The bill is on the Common Council Agenda for today’s 1:00 p.m. meeting. You can attend via the web, go to http://www.syrgov.net/City_Hall.aspx and go to the calendar tab on the left hand side of the page to locate sign-in information.
Phonebank for Dana Balter Featuring Chairman Jerry Nadler
Tuesday, October 13 – 5:30pm EDT
Sign up Here
Join House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY-10) as he kicks off a phonebank in support of Dana Balter. The event will begin with remarks from Chairman Nadler and Dana, followed by a phonebank training and session in our Zoom virtual office!
This is an excellent opportunity to hear from a major national leader about what House Democrats are working on and why he supports Dana’s race for Congress, and then actually work to win votes for Dana! Zoom link upon RSVP. Chairman Nadler, Dana, and all of us on Team Balter can’t wait to see you there!
A Progressive Perspective on Combating Antisemitism
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30-9 pm
Rabbi Walt will address the issue personally and on a social/political level. He will discuss different definitions of antisemitism that will include Christian anti-Judaism that fuels much of European antisemitism, the antisemitism of white nationalism in the United States, and the weaponization of antisemitism by Israel and the American Jewish community that seeks to deny Palestinians any right to struggle for justice, equality and freedom and to silence anyone who is in solidarity with their struggle.Register here.
Rabbi Brian Walt is a rabbi and a human rights activist. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Tikkun V’Or in Ithaca, NY and Congregation Mishkan Shalom, an activist synagogue in Philadelphia that he founded in 1988. A native of South Africa, Brian was the founding executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. In 2012, he led a delegation of leaders of the Civil Rights movement on a visit to Israel and the West Bank. He has been involved in several progressive American Jewish organizations and is currently a member of the rabbinical council of Jewish Voice for Peace.
This event will be livestreamed on the SPC Facebook page, as well as recorded for later viewing.
National Women’s March Day
Women March in Seneca Falls 2020
October 17, 10-11am
ACADEMY SQUARE — 12 N Park Street SENECA FALLS, NY 13148
https://www.facebook.com/events/360064635236046
Women March in Seneca Falls 2020, in solidarity with the National Women’s March organization, is calling for IMMEDIATE ACTION from our representatives in Congress and local citizens dedicated to women’s rights in the name of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and in support of the BIDEN/HARRIS campaign.
The public is invited to join organizers in SENECA FALLS, October 17, 10am, 12 N Park St/Academy Square, and urged to carry signs demanding US Senators DELAY CONFIRMATION of RBG’s vacant seat, and to inspire friends and neighbors to contact members of Congress to:
- Vote NO on filling RBG’s vacant Supreme Court seat prior to Inauguration Day.
- Stand FIRM on a Woman’s Right to Choose.
- SUPPORT Black Lives Matter; LGBTQ rights; Healthcare for ALL; COVID-19 CDC guidelines.
- SUPPORT SAFE and FAIR elections.
- DEMAND CIVILITY in government and SAFEGUARD our democracy.
- Regard IMMIGRATATION as a pillar of American society.
- RESTORE US State Department for effective FOREIGN POLICY.
Paul Robeson Preforming Arts Company Community Celebration
10/18 at 5 PM Facebook .Free!. Register
A joint project honoring Robeson, the Company and the Syracuse Community Choir. Produced and directed by Karin Franklin; filmed by Dave Fathers.
Judaism & Zionism – Wednesday, October 21, 7:30-9 pm
Rabbi Walt will synthesize his personal experience of the fusion between Zionism and Judaism and historical analysis of how they were fused with one another. Then he will articulate a vision of a universal non-Zionist Judaism. Discussion in small groups will follow his presentation. Register here.
This event will be livestreamed on the SPC Facebook page, as well as recorded for later viewing.
ONGOING:
Street Heat – Weekly Protests are back with Physical Distancing!
HANCOCK: our decade-long protests against Hancock’s piloting killer reaper drones over the Islamic oil lands continue. 6000 East Molloy Rd every Tuesday from 4:15 to 5 p.m.
DEWITT: Weekly protest against IDF terrorism, maiming and killing of Palestinians. Fridays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at Erie Blvd E and E Genesee, Dewitt. Park in the nearby mini-mall parking lot.
REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET: anti-weaponized drones/anti-militarism protest: 9 to 9:45 a.m Saturdays . directly across from the market’s main entrance on Park Street.
For more information: anntiffany6235@gmail.com
FINDING HELP/RESOURCES
Also see COVID19 Info Below
SIRDN Covid19 Warm Line: (315) 552-1670
Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network (SIRDN) Coronavirus-related information for farmworker, immigrant, undocumented, day laborer, and domestic worker communities. English and Spanish-speaking operators. Text and phone.
SIRDN has also created a resource document for COVID-19 information, for immigrants and undocumented folks. English and Spanish Or use these instructions to have Google translate .
COVID-19 INFORMATION:
If you do not have a doctor and have questions, symptoms, or may have been exposed to COVID-19, call Upstate University Hospital’s Triage Line at 315.464.397
Onondaga County Coronaviris Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Page
COVID-19 Testing Hotline
Upstate University Hospital Regional Triage (COVID-19) Information Page
NYS Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page
Johns Hopkins – Coronavirus Disease 2019 vs. the Flu
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) webpage.
New York Attorney General Coronavirus Resources and Warnings
FCC Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips
FTC Coronavirus Scam Information
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Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com