From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sun. Nov.22, 2020, 3-4 PM, via Zoom. Link to come. Tentative Agenda: The Work Ahead
Upcoming Meeting Schedule: 12/6, 12/20/20, 1/10/21
Nov. 8 meeting was an informative discussion, led by David Dreisen and Tom Keck, of the election results and the aftermath.
Update on Choose Democracy CNY
Protect the Results, a nationwide coalition of over 100 organizations, including Indivisible, called upon all progressive groups to prepare for mass nationwide demonstrations and other actions, in response to likely attempts to steal a close election. Choose Democracy CNY, a coalition of local progressive, political, religious, and labor groups, formed quickly. Indivisible NY4 and CNY Solidarity Coalition immediately listed a demonstration tentatively scheduled for Nov. 4. Over 400 people signed up for this demonstration on Protect the Results’ national site.
By noon on Nov. 4 (the day following Election Day), two things seemed clear: despite massive voter suppression efforts, intentional degradation of the Post Office’s capacity, and a variety of other illegal and unethical tactics, Trump was going to lose. And the results in enough states, with wide enough margins, were looking clear enough to make a successful challenge unlikely. After a nationwide phone conference, Protect the Results recommended that the organizing groups postpone mass actions. One compelling argument was that ignoring Trump’s tantrums would be more effective than giving him attention.
Choose Democracy CNY’s Coordinating Team will maintain the capacity to mobilize and respond to any attempts overturn the valid election results. At this time, the trend is that numerous court challenges are being turned down. But strange things can happen.
Articles of the Week:
We Don’t Have to Live in Mitch McConnell’s World
But Biden has to actively assert his power as chief executive, in this case over Cabinet appointments.
Read it in The American Prospect
Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American continues to be the most cogent, concise, focused, and compassionate daily news digest. She communicates the stark realities of living under a would-be authoritarian regime, while holding on to hope for change. We will continue to need this in the months and years ahead.
Biden’s victory is only the prelude. What happens now is up to us Read it
Rebecca Solnitin The Guardian
We all have a role to play in persuading this administration to have more courage, go further and live up to its promises
The clear and pressing danger is a repeat of the last few election cycles in which, when Democrats won, too many people who’d been the backbone of the resistance relaxed and assumed the government would do the right thing. They didn’t bother to participate much because they thought power rests in elected officials rather than the electorate.
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Georgia, Georgia…
In order to achieve a 50-50 split in the Senate, where VP Kamala Harris would have the deciding vote, Democrats must win both January Senate runoff elections. This is quite possible.
Stacey Abrams’ organizing efforts played a big role in helping Democrats make a strong showing in this formerly deeply red state. Her efforts will prove critical to enabling Democrats to take Georgia’s two Senate seats in the expected run-offs. Please consider making a donation and volunteering to help her group, Fair Fight: https://fairfight.com/. The opportunities to text or call Georgia voters show up by clicking on “Join our Fight” under the “Get Involved” heading at the bottom of the page. (The donation opportunity is hard to miss).
ArtRage Fair Trade Sale – Virtual Edition
November 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021
Each December ArtRage Gallery hosts a two-day fair trade sale. Your purchases support artisans around the world and small local businesses. This year we feel it’s safer to offer a virtual Fair Trade Sale.
Two ways to shop with SERRV International AS a fundraiser for ArtRage:
1. Place your order through ArtRage
2. Shop directly with SERRV. ArtRage Gallery (The CORA Foundation) will receive 20% from your purchases
Details Here
Reclaim Armistice Day
Nov. 11: 10:30 Vigil
Billings Park, S. Salina @ E. Adams
Veterans for Peace
“Over 100 years ago, WWI had just ended; nations mourned their dead and collectively called for an end to all wars. Armistice Day was born and designated ‘a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated.’ For more than 35 years each November 11th bells were rung around the world to commemorate that peaceful pledge, at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
On this anniversary of Armistice Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020, Veterans for Peace and the Beyond War and Militarism Committee will hold a vigil from 10:30-11:00am at Billings Park to commemorate and restore the true purpose of our national holiday now known as Veterans Day. Mayor Ben Walsh has issued a Proclamation reclaiming Armistice Day, which will be read at the vigil by Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens. We will gather near the WWI memorial monument in the park and at 11:00 we will be reminded of the true purpose of Armistice Day as bells ring eleven times in remembrance of the millions killed, wounded, widowed, imprisoned, orphaned and displaced. We will exercise appropriate social distancing and require all to wear masks; in remembrance of ALL victims of war, we will wear white poppies.
The November Elections and American Democracy: Where Do We Go From Here?
Wed. Nov. 11 at 7 PM
Zoom talk by Dr. Tom Keck
Community Library of Dewitt and Jamesville
Join us for a virtual lecture by Professor Thomas Keck, the Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Professor Keck will discuss the results of the November elections and the future of American democracy.
The signup link is available here
Making Change: Basics of Organizing for Social Justice
Saturday, November 14⋅12:00 – 4:00pm via ZOOM
This is a skills-building workshop facilitated by RiseUp Social Action Training and Education. It is part of the workshop series sponsored by the Conflict Management Center of the Program for the Analysis and Resolution of Conflict and Change at Syracuse University.
The training will provide a hands-on introduction to skills needed to organize effectively for social change on a campus and in the community. Coming just 10 days after a pivotal election, it’s a great opportunity to learn skills to accompany your passion for social change. Participants will learn to identify stakeholders and potential allies, develop outreach strategies and build a campaign on issues of concern to them.
Andy Mager and Aly Wane of RiseUp for Social Action will facilitate the workshop. The workshop is FREE and open to all. To register, send an email to cmc@maxwell.syr.edu include information about organization affiliations or academic departments and any special accommodations that would enable your full participation.
TOWN HALL SERIES – A QUESTION OF STUDENT SAFETY: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SRO)
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by National Action Network Syracuse Chapter, Black Leadership Coalition and
Syracuse Police Accountability and Reform Coalition-SPAARC
REGISTRATION — https://bit.ly/2FGxNNx
The People’s Agenda on Policing, in partnership with the Syracuse City School District, is hosting a series of town halls on School Resource Officers (SROs) in Syracuse City Public Schools. The conversation comes as public scrutiny of police officers in schools is growing nationwide as part of more extensive calls for police reform and accountability.
The conversation with the panelists will also be live-streamed on social media platforms.
In Syracuse, the history of police in schools has been riddled with excessive force including taser use and chokeholds, over suspension, and unnecessary arrests. What this has manifested is the school to prison pipeline, where young Black and Brown and disabled students are disproportionately impacted by police encounters, and funnelled into the carceral state. Despite the New York State Legislature and Governor passing and signing Education Law 2801-A(10), Syracuse City School District has not adequately engaged the community in reimagining what safe schools without police could look like.
Police free schools is the rallying cry of students and teachers, advocates and parents seeking to imagine the fullest potential for Syracuse City School District students. By saving and redirecting funds that would have otherwise gone to law enforcement, students are provided the best learning environment and outcome they need – counselors, not cops, mentors, not police, services not suspensions. Further, teachers are provided with all the tools that they need to ensure the most optimal learning environment for their students.
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 from 4:15 to 5 p.m. For the winter months, we will reduce our schedule: the first Tuesday of every month: same time 4:15 to 5 p.m. Dec 1; Jan 5; Feb 2; March 2; April 6.
DEWITT: Weekly protest against IDF terrorism, maiming and killing of Palestinians. Fridays NEW TIME: 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. at Erie Blvd E and E Genesee, Dewitt. Park in the nearby mini-mall parking lot.
REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET: Protests are off until April.
For more information: anntiffany6235@gmail.com
JOE GUERRIERO
WAITING FOR NORMAL: Cuba and the United States
October 22, 2020 to January 17, 2021 at ArtRage Gallery
You must make a reservation to view this exhibit in the gallery!
CLICK HERE to reserve your time to see the exhibit.
Photographer Joe Guerriero’s photography and film work does just that, reflecting more than 20 years of spending time with the Cuban people and experiencing first hand the effects of the United States’ continuing embargo of the island. He shows how the embargo affects the lives not only of Cubans but of those Cuban-Americans who still have relatives in Cuba.
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—
Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com