From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, 3 PM. Zoom Link to come.
AGENDA: Announcements; Committee Meetings
Upcoming Meetings: 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23. Committee meetings will take place at our second meeting each month: 2/21, 3/21, 4/25, 5/23
Last Meeting: Feb. 7, 2021. We re-connected with our allies at the CNY Workers’ Center, SIRDN (Syracuse Immigrant Refugee Defense Network), and NYIC (New York Immigrant Coalition.
· See below: HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT the Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network
· From NYIC: We are getting so close to passing the New York Health and Essential Rights Order (S.1034/A.2681) so we need all hands on deck! We are asking you to show some to our cosponsors by using this Toolkit as a way to say “Thank you!” We need to keep the pressure at an all time high, and highlight why this bill is a win for all New Yorkers, more specifically brown and black communities!
Urge your legislators to PASS the #NYHEROACT NOW!
If you can go the extra mile today and sign-on to our Memo of Support with your letterhead simply by making a copy to add your name to the template’s highlighted areas and send it to me. kkelechian@nyic.org
Invest in Our New York is a campaign seeking to tax New York’s wealthiest residents. The six bills proposed 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.
Updates/Upcoming Events/How to Help: Can you help for a short time? This is a very short term campaign, and help is really needed.
· The Invest in Our NY is a multi-pronged strategy. One initiative is writing letters to voters, encouraging them to contact their Senator or Assembly member. IONY provides a letter to print out and to personalize with a handwritten message and addresses for voters in key districts. Your investment is some time and postage. John Sheridan (johnbsheridan@gmail.com) is serving as the Central NY coordinator. Contact him, if you can help.
· Two local representative and two from the statewide coalition met on 2/9 with representatives of Assembly Member Magnarelli. We asked that he sign the Pledge to support the campaign by 2/19. More news to come.
· Invest In Our New York Phonebank, Feb 13
Start: Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada) (GMT-05:00)
End: Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada) (GMT-05:00)
You can view more details about this event and message your host by clicking here and posting on the discussion board.
· Next Phonebanks: Links to come.
o Sat., Feb,. 20, 1-4 PM
o Wed., Feb. 24 @ 6:30pm
· Next Planning Team Meeting: Feb. 21.
Contact Peter (pmccar1100@gmail.com) or Keller (Keller.shelton@gmail.com)
· Please respond: Assembly Members Hunter and Magnarelli have constituent surveys on their sites that directly address the Invest in Our NY issues.They need to hear from us:
Al Stirpe’s office says they are working on a survey.
And if you don’t know your Assembly District, find it Here
· Sign the petition at http://investinourny.org This gives the statewide campaign evidence of broad support
To Learn more:
· https://www.cnysolidarity.org/2021/02/02/invest-in-our-new-york/
· http://investinourny.org (scroll down past the petition to the slideshow, or keep going to the Act Summary
· Read this for some background: The Socialists vs. Andrew Cuomo Read it in The Nation
Articles of the Week:
Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America by Kurt Andersen (This one’s a book. Absolutely worth the read.)
From the jacket: “Beginning in early 19702, by means of a long war conducted by a confederacy of big business CEOs, the superrich, and right-wing zealots, the rules
and norms that made the American middle class possible were undermined and dismantled. The clock was turned back on a century of economic progress, making greed good, workers powerless, and the market all-powerful while weaponizing nostalgia, lifting up an oligarchy that served only its own interests, and leaving the huge majority of Americans with dwindling economic prospects and hope.”
After Trump Failed to Overturn the 2020 Election, Republicans Are Trying to Steal the Next One
This is the most concerted effort to roll back voting rights in decades.
Read it in Mother Jones
Syracuse Police Reform Reinvention Draft Plan
You can read and comment at the link above.
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR:
FREE virtual immigration consultations
THIS WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 10 AM-4 PM
Join Hiscock Legal Aid Society; Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County, Inc.
& Joint Council for Economic Opportunity – JCEO
Info Here. Please call 518-561-6310 to make an appointment!
Uncovering the History of African American Abolitionists and the Underground Railroad in Utica
Wednesday, 2/10 at 7 PM
Copper City Collective and Mohawk Valley Freedom School
Register: https://tinyurl.com/y3x7ufmn
On October 21, 1835 delegates from across New York State gathered in Utica with the serious intention of founding a state-wide Anti-Slavery Society. But an anti-abolition riot brewed in the streets. In the name of ending slavery, leaders of Utica, “gentlemen of property and standing,” swore to stop the convention. Deirdre Sinnott explains how Utica’s own riot puts the politics of the young nation, headed inexorably toward a bloody Civil War, into sharp focus. Sinnott will also discuss the process of researching several people who have stood out in the abolitionist movement and the lives they lived. Please join Deirdre Sinnot, the Mohawk Valley Freedom School, and the Copper City Collective for this exciting event.
Skaneateles Geothermal Home Case Study
7 PM – Thursday, February 11, 2021 on Zoom
Join the HeatSmart CNY team for a case study of a Skaneateles home to learn more about converting from propane to ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling. We’ll discuss the installation process, lessons learned, and energy savings achieved. We’ll also have an update on incentives, rebates, and tax credits for 2021. Come ask your questions!
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/
DEADLOCKED AND LOADED: Disarming America Curated by Karen M. Gutfreund
February 11 to April 18, 2021
ArtRage Gallery – https://artragegallery.org Make your reservation for in-person gallery viewing HERE!
The need to address gun violence is more urgent than ever and in response, artists from across the United States have used their artistic voices to address issues related to our culture of gun violence particularly how it affects women, children and marginalized peoples.
Deadlocked and Loaded: Disarming America is a “locked and loaded” conversation through art, showcasing art in all media that addresses the culture of violence, systemic racism, police brutality and gun issues in the United States—particularly in how it affects women and children with lasting impacts.
From a feminist perspective, the works speak to issues that include gender, race, mental health, political affiliations, philosophical stances, remembrance and memorials, and access to and use of firearms in regard to the 2nd Amendment.
This exhibition is presented in collaboration with Community Folk Art Center and Point of Contact Gallery in Syracuse. A catalog representing all 36 artists exhibiting in the three galleries can be viewed HERE.
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
Ballad of an American: What does Paul Robeson’s life teach us?
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 AT 7:30 PM EST – 9 PM EST Register.
Democratic Socialists of America and DSA International Committee
Paul Robeson was the pre-eminent Black, left-wing figure of U.S. popular culture during the 1930s-40s. Concert singer, film actor, public personality, his “Ballad for Americans” was heard by millions of radio listeners. Idolized across large parts of Europe, his records heard widely in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Robeson was struck down by McCarthyism. His legend and his lessons remain.
Medicare for All – DSA Q&A
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 AT 9 PM EST – 10 PM EST RSVP Here
Interested in DSA but haven’t joined yet? Looking to get involved in the fights to stop evictions, win Medicare for All, or defund the police, but unsure how to get started? Frustrated with the limited possibilities of national, top-down politics and looking for an alternative?
Join DSA leaders from across the country to talk about how organizing as socialists and engaging in mass, bottom-up movement struggle is the best path forward to winning our demands and building a better future, together.
We’ll also have leaders from our national Medicare for All committee on to talk about the next steps for winning Medicare for All under a Biden administration and how you can plug in to get involved!
Black History Matters
Where: NAHOF’s YouTube channel Tickets: Free to view!
Black History Matters is a series of twenty-eight virtual introductory short “crash courses” addressing various aspects of Black American history and culture. The videos will provide critical context for the ongoing racial justice movements and the persistence of racism in America. No registration is required for these free sessions.
The videos will be released on NAHOF’s YouTube channel and will be shared on NAHOF’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A new video will be made live every day in February. Learn more about the program and see the complete list of themes covered by the videos.
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
Witness to Injustice – Understanding the Effects of Colonization on the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 AT 3 -5:30 PM
Witness to Injustice is a unique interactive presentation and teaching tool that helps participants deepen their understanding about the European colonization of Turtle Island and the denial of Indigenous peoples’ nationhood throughout U.S. history up to the present time. Using participatory education to explore the shared history that non-Native people rarely learn in school or other settings, Witness to Injustice aims to foster truth, understanding, and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the part of the world now known as the United States; with a focus on the territory stewarded by the people of the Onondaga Nation and other Haundenosaunee peoples.
We hope this program will stimulate deep discussion and reflection, and will point the way toward ongoing steps to righting the wrongs which have been done.
Join Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) and Haudenosaunee facilitators as we participate in learning and dialogue through this virtual presentation.
Fee: $15 Register
Your fee will be used to support our Native Knowledge Keepers, the work of NOON, and educational programming at the Skӓ•noñh-Great Law of Peace Center.
Community Forum: The Warrior Cop Mentality in our Schools and Community
Thursday, March 4, 6-7:30 p.m.
The first in a series of community forums in March, hosted by SPAARC. Syracuse Police Accountability And Reform Coalition“
ONGOING EVENTS:
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.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT the Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network
- Attend our open bi-weekly meetings!
- Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30pm on Zoom
- Next meeting: Tuesday, February 16
- All are welcome! Email sirdn315@gmail.com for Zoom info
- Spanish-English translation provided
- Join one of our working groups
- Fundraising
- DMV and Court Accompaniment
- Outreach/Media
- Warm Line / Rapid Response
- Volunteer Drivers
- Advocate for migrant justice
- Follow our Facebook page for campaign updates and actions: https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseIRDN
- Fundraise!
- Organize a fundraiser or support our ongoing GoFundMe Campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cny-covid19-support-for-undocumented-neighbors
- Questions? Inquiries?
Contact us at SIRDN315@gmail.com OR call our warmline at 315-552-1670
DONATIONS NEEDED:
Donations to support phone banks for the Invest in Our NY Campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/empirestateindivisible-taxtherich
The Westcott Community Center services over 600 poor, elderly clients regularly throughout the year with many, many services., including daily meals. 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
—
Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com