From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, 3-4 PM. Zoom Link to come.
Upcoming Meetings: 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23
Jan. 24 Meeting: Committees met: Indivisible NY24; State/Local Action Team; Climate Justice; Beyond War and Militarism
This could be our most consequential effort over the next two months:
Invest in Our New York is a campaign seeking to tax New York’s wealthiest residents. The six bills proposed by the state-wide coalition will raise between 50 and 75 billion dollars in annual revenue, and our goal is to include all six in the state budget as it is negotiated over the next few months.
More than 90% of New Yorkers – across political parties – agree: We should tax the rich before cutting services.
Our leaders must act this year to:
Stop giving the wealthiest tax breaks and start requiring their stronger participation in the common good through fairer assessments on their income and wealth (4 bills)
Make big business and Wall Street contribute a fraction of what they gain from operating here, through small fees on financial transactions and offsets to their windfall from Trump’s 2017 tax cuts (2 bills)
It is our job to reach out particularly to Senators May and Mannion, and Assemblypersons Hunter, Magnarelli, and Stirpe, as well as the Governor’s office.
Two upcoming opportunities to learn more and get involved:
State/Local Action Team Meeting on 1/24 (see above) will be focused on next steps to put this campaign into action locally. All are invited.
Invest in Our New York Campaign Launch, 1/26 (see below) CNY Solidarity Coalition and Democratic Socialists of America. Sen. Rachel May will speak.
Learn more: http://investinourny.org
Articles of the Week:
Cuomo’s Tax Hike Friendlier to the Rich Than Advertised, Budget Experts and Legislators Say
Akash V. Mehta / January 21 Read it here
“The governor’s twisting himself in knots to not offend rich people,” the number two Democrat in the state Senate said.
”The tax increase would apply only for three years—and would be reimbursable, according to the executive budget briefing book. If high-income taxpayers paid all three years’ surcharge in advance this year, they would be paid back in 2024 and 2025.” WHAT????
Joe Biden must put an end to business as usual. Here’s where to start
In this time of unprecedented crises, Congress and the Biden administration must respond through unprecedented action
Democrats, who will now control the White House, the Senate and the House, must summon the courage to demonstrate to the American people that government can effectively and rapidly respond to their pain and anxiety. As the incoming chairman of the Senate budget committee that is exactly what I intend to do.
Biden Pledged to Fight White Supremacy. Prominent Conservatives Felt Personally Attacked.
Karl Rove, Tucker Carlson, and Sen. Rand Paul have hurt feelings.
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR:
Invest in Our New York Campaign Launch
Tuesday, Jan. 26 6 PM – 7 PM
Register Here NOTE: The Zoom link should come immediately in an emailfrom Public Citizen.
CNY Solidarity Coalition and Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Learn about the Invest In Our New York plan to fund our future: six bills to implement an equitable tax system in NYS; and the campaign to implement it during this budget season.
Campaign link: http://investinourny.org
Read this for some background: The Socialists vs. Andrew Cuomo Read it in The NationNewly elected DSA members in the New York legislature will work with grassroots organizers to force the governor to tax the rich. Will their inside/outside strategy work?
NYCLU is continuing its series of Tuesday Talks on the Rt 81 project.
Read the NYCLU’s report, Building a Better Future: The Structural Racism Built into I-81,and How to Tear It Down, here.
For the links to the Tuesday Talks, email: Kevin Atwater, Central New York Chapter, NYCLU. katwater@nyclu.org
Political Leadership Institute
Event by CNY Political Leadership Institute
Online: leadershipgreatersyracuse.org
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 5 PM EST – 6 PM EST
Price: Free · Duration: 1 hr
Interested in running for office or volunteering on a campaign but don’t know where to start. Come learn about the CNY Political Leadership Institute. You must register to receive the link to participate as this is a virtual session.
How to Take Back our Broken Democracy, a CNY Community Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 27 – 7pm via Zoom
Indivisible NY24z; Together with our friends from Uplift Syracuse, is holding a virtual community meeting to organize in support of democracy reform legislation at the federal, state, and local levels.. Click here to sign up. Click here to help spread the word on FB.
We are joining our allies in the Campaign for New York Health to call on the new Democratic majority in the state legislature to make healthcare a right by passing the New York Health Act.
Virtual Day of Action for Guaranteed Healthcare
Wednesday, January 27 (Twitterstorm from 11am-1pm)
RSVP for the Day of Action: https://www.nyhcampaign.org/january2021action
In the middle of the deadliest pandemic in recent history, private health insurance corporations are making record profits, while tens of thousands of New Yorkers die, lose income, can’t afford rent, and struggle to pay unaffordable medical bills. The COVID-19 pandemic puts everyone at risk, but Black, Brown, and low-income New Yorkers carry the greatest burden of exposure as essential workers and with the least access to quality healthcare when we do get sick. We need a just recovery from this pandemic, and that means truly universal, guaranteed healthcare. We must #PassNYHealth now!
Syracuse COVID19 Town Hall; Information on COVID91 Testing and Vaccines
Wed., Jan. 27, 2021. 6 PM
National Black Leadership Commission on Health
Greetings: Ben Walsh, Mayor; Moderator: Helen Hudson, Common Council President. Opening Remarks: Dr. Bert Petersen, Black Health Board of Directors
Sharon Owens, Deputy Mayor
Amy Tucker, MD, MHCM, Chief Medical Officer, Upstate University Hospital
Daryll C. Dykes, PhD, MD, JD, Chief Diversity Officer, Upstate Medical University
Indu Gupta MD, MPH, MA, FACP, Commissioner, Onondaga County Health Department
Syracuse DSA General Meeting: Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America
Wednesday, January 27th starting at 8 pm.
Come check us out, all are welcome!
Meeting the Challenges of Community Engaged Redistricting
Jan 28th , 6:30 – 8:00 pm
League of Women Voters of NYS
Expert panel discussion on redistricting in 2021. Find out what’s changed in the last 10 years, how communities can get involved in the redistricting process, and what New Yorkers need to know about this redistricting cycle.
Register here: https://cutt.ly/4jS33Jv And submit your questions ahead of the forum here: https://forms.gle/CZbGPHJ9mfcJDqMG8
OGs Against Violence: Boots on the Ground – Interrupting Violence with Hope
2nd Annual (virtual) Meeting
Sat, Jan 30, 2021. 11:00AM-12:30PM
Clifford Ryan, Founder of OGAV
Ranette Releford, Administrator of the Citizens Review Board of the City of Syracuse
Michael Montes, President, OGAV Board of Directors
Kenton Buckner, Chief of Police, Syracuse Police Dept.
Other: Reading of the Names of Homicide Victims, 2020; Memorial Video; Group Discussion
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Jan. 31, 2021, at 7 p.m. ET
Join us to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Syracuse University’s 36th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The event, which is the largest of its kind on a college campus, will take place online.
Ruby Bridges, one of the first African American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the South, will serve as the keynote speaker. Bridges will reflect on Dr. King’s work, as well as the impact of education in sparking and sustaining social change. Learn more about Ruby Bridges’ life and work.
All are invited to join us for a special virtual event series leading up to the 2021 MLK Celebration! Pledge to serve your community, cook the traditional MLK Celebration dinner at home, get inspired by basketball legend Maya Moore, and celebrate women poets in commemoration of the cultural, social and artistic impact of the civil rights movement. Learn more about the 2021 MLK Virtual Event Series.
New York Immigration Coalition Member Congress
Feb. 4, 2021. 9AM-5 PM Online
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Member Congress, Thursday, February 4th, 2020, will bring NYIC Member and partner organizations together from across New York State to build a statewide collaborative advocacy strategy, lobby representatives, and engage in professional development/networking in support of immigrant and refugee communities. Join us for a day of engaging opportunities.
Register Here. Or contact kkelechian@nyic.org for more information.
Westcott CC Van Fundraising Concert with Joe Driscoll & Friends
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 AT 7 PM EST – 9 PM EST
Online Event
Westcott CC Van Fundraising Concert with Joe Driscoll & Friends
Event by Westcott Community Center and Joseph Driscoll
Local superstar Joe Driscoll and some of his friends will perform as a part of a fundraising concert to help Westcott Community Center purchase a new van for our transportation program!
Suggested Donation: $50 (but all donations happily accepted) https://westcottcc.org/donations/
Where Are the Women? UNLADYLIKE2020: A free, virtual education summit
February 13, 2021
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST
National Women’s Hall of Fame | 1 Canal Street, PO Box 335, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Website
Assemblyman Magnarelli’s Community Information Meetings:
Feb. 25, 7 Pm for VanBuren and Geddes
March 4, 7 Pm for Syracuse
Register here; https://nyassembly.gov/mem/William-B-Magnarelli
Or contact the office at abdelld@nyassembly.gov
ONGOING EVENTS:
ArtRage Fair Trade Sale – Virtual Edition November 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021
Your purchases support artisans around the world and small local businesses. This year it’s a virtual Fair Trade Sale. Details Here
Syracuse Peace Council Plowshares Craftsfair Online Nov. 20 – Jan. 31
We are going virtual with Plowshares this year. November 20-January 31. Now “open” at www.plowsharescraftsfair.org.
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.
DONATIONS NEEDED:
The Westcott Community Center services over 600 poor, elderly clients regularly throughout the year with many, many services., including daily meals. It is crucial that WCC have a van to transport many of these folks and to deliver meals and obtain needed supplies. The current van has been used for 17 years and was funded by Nancy Larraine Hoffman three State Senators ago. It has a body so rusted that the running boards have fallen off and it is in the final state of disrepair. State Funds are not currently available, nor are most grants, for the purchase of a vehicle. Donate Here
COVID-19 INFORMATION:
Onondaga County Vaccine Information: https://covid19.ongov.net/vaccine/
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 .
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
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Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com