From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Next Meeting: Sunday 8/15/21, 3-4;30 PM. More info to come. Upcoming Meetings: NOTE We have updated the schedule to accommodate holidays, Westcott Fair, etc.: 8/15/21, 9/12/21, 10/3/21, 10/17/21, 10/31/21, 11/14/21. The Coordinating Committee will decide soon how to handle our upcoming meeting dates: in-person, Zoom, or a combination.
Committees will meet on their own for July and August.
Announcements from our Committees:
To sign up for the mailing lists of each of the committees, email your request to the contact person listed.
Indivisible NY24: Contact: Deborah Rose: dcurryrose@gmail.com Our principal focus remains on supporting the democracy reform efforts in Congress. This means passing S.1: For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, D.C. statehood, and other key reform bills.
Climate Justice: Contact: Kitty Burns – otiscohills@yahoo.com
SLAT (State/Local Action Team) Contact: Peter McCarthy – pmccar1100@gmail.com Current priority: Rt 81/Community Grid. See below.
Beyond War and Militarism. A joint committee of CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council.Contact: Ron Van Norstrand; ron@vannorstrandlaw.com
CNY Solidarity Coalition Meeting on Sunday, July 18
Our first in-person meeting in over a year was attended by approximately 50 people!
On Sunday, we heard Lanessa Chaplin of NYCLU present current news on the Rt. 81/Community Grid project.
(watch it Here).
Rt. 81 PROJECT
We are looking to the local leaders who have been deeply involved in these issues for years, for leadership and advice on how we can support racial, economic, and environmental justice in this critical project. Lanessa Chaplin of NYCLU and Deka Dancil of Urban Jobs Task Force are our primary contacts. The UJTF began a campaign for Racial and Economic Justice through local jobs on I-81 in 2017. For years, UJTF and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) have been getting prepared to turn out the community for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) public comment period. That time is here.
We will be asking for signatures, phone calls, letters to the editor, and participation in the events below
Sign up for alerts from UJTF here: DEIS action alert sign-up form
And save the date: UJTF/NYCLU Press Conference/March for Justice in the Rt. 81 Project
August 14 at Noon; Location TBA
NEW AND CURRENT INFORMATION ON the Rt. 81/Community Grid PROJECT:
NEW: visual simulation overview of what the new configuration would look like. It simulates a drive entering the city from the south and then shifts to an aerial view of the changes. 5 minutes.
NEW: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS):can be downloaded on the project website, dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities,
Individuals may submit comments until September 14, 2021. Responses to substantive comments will be included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) and NYSDOT will hold virtual and in-person hearings.
Virtual hearing sessions via Zoom:
Tuesday, August 17, 2021, 11 AM & 5 PM: To submit oral comments, please register here. You will be given a link to the Zoom hearing where you can make a public comment.
In-person hearing sessions:
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 4 PM & 6 PM (doors open at 3:30 PM)
The Oncenter, 800 South State Street, Syracuse
To learn more about the project and the public hearings, including how to comment on the DEIS, please visit https://www.dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities [dot.ny.gov]
And here is a recent presentation from Newhouse at SU with some good history: Revisiting and Revisualizing Syracuse’s 15th Ward. Government highway and urban renewal projects of the 1960s changed the community residing in the heart of Syracuse beyond recognition. Now, city and community leaders are reevaluating its past with hopes of reenvisioning its future. http://visualizing81.thenewshouse.com/#story-intro
Announcements:
Support the removal of the Columbus Statue
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has committed the City to removing the towering statue of Columbus from the Center of our City. As a symbol of world colonialism, genocide and other atrocities, members from all parts of our City agree it must be removed. The Mayor has convened a group of diverse people to meet over several months to help decide what will go in its place. There is a small but powerful group, The Columbus Monument Corporation, whose members have sued the City to keep it standing, and have paid for billboards and lawn signs to that effect. We need to show city-wide (and suburban) support to take it down. One way we can do this is by writing editorials or letters to the Mayor in support of its removal. Another is to put up lawn signs designed by NOON and Women of Italian and Syracuse Heritage (WISH).
These lawn signs say: CELEBRATE DIVERSITY/ REPLACE COLUMBUS
These lawn signs are available for pick up at the Syracuse Cultural Workers building, 400 Lodi Street Syracuse, M-F 9:15-4:45pm. If you need one delivered, contact Sue Eiholzer <rsue@twcny.rr.com>
Part-time Paid Bookkeeper Wanted for Syracuse Peace Council
SPC is the oldest local, autonomous, grassroots peace and social justice organization in the United States. We’re looking for a part-time bookkeeper!
- Approximately 20 hours a month, Begins August 1st (possibly a few weeks earlier). $15.85/hour.
- Previous bookkeeping experience with QuickBooks is preferred. (We will consider hiring a strong candidate who has exposure to bookkeeping or to QuickBooks, but who might need further experience with double-entry accounting, as a trainee).
We seek a responsible, organized, detail-oriented person who will feel comfortable working with staff and volunteers but who can also work independently to get the monthly and quarterly tasks done in a timely fashion.
Email a statement of your interest and experience to: spc@peacecouncil.net with Bookkeeper in the subject line.
Articles of the Week:
The Infrastructure Bill Won’t Cut It on Climate
Washington cannot address a small sliver of our carbon pollution and call it a victory.
Read the Article in The Atlantic
The-Movement-For-Black-Lives-In-Upstate-New-York-Confronting-Police-White-Supremacists-And-Craven-Politicians
This Article describes frightening encounters between Rome, NY police and Black residents and activists.
Why it’s (almost) impossible to argue with the right
The right only debates with itself: their view and their version of the left. Fighting with that is near impossible
Read the Article in Salon
“…pundits and politicians create their own version of many progressive, liberal and leftist views, and then they fight with their version. There is no real debate and certainly no dialogue, because the entire game is to offer up a distorted version of a position, then freak out about it.”
An Unapologetic ‘Tax the Rich’ Message Is the Key to Passing the Democratic Budget Plan
“The wealthy and large corporations [must pay] their fair share of taxes, so that we can protect the working families of this country,” says Bernie Sanders.
Read the Article in The Nation
There Are No Mass Migrations Without U.S. Meddling and Militarism
Despite its pledges to aid Central America, the Biden administration continues to deny the United States’ role in destabilizing the region.
Read the Article in In These Times
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Join our friends with Jewish Voice for Peace – Syracuse
Wednesday, July 21 at Noon
Federal Building, Syracuse
We’ll gather for an hour at the Federal Building to share fellowship and advocate for justice. We invite others to join us downtown or to fast on your own for the day. All are welcome – regardless of religious/ethnic identification and fasting is encouraged but not required.
The national effort is a religious initiative launched by a group of rabbis, Jews and people of faith/conscience with three goals:
• to call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade of Gaza;
• to call on the US government to cease all military aid to Israel until it complies with basic standards of human rights and international law;
• to call on Israel to negotiate a just peace that guarantees equality, justice and freedom for all who live between the river and sea.
Participants are asked to donate the money they save on food to ANERA, UNRWA or AFSC – or other organizations that provide ongoing relief to Palestinian refugees in Gaza (see links below).
To donate:
Learn more about the national campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/140105624804148“
50th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Friday, July 23, – Sunday, July 25, 2021
Columbus Circle (Syracuse, New York)
50th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Event by Downtown Syracuse and AmeriCU Credit Union
The spectacular three-day showcase of the country’s most talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers is centered in Downtown Syracuse. The festival provides opportunities for visitors to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Syracuse through a presentation of visual and performing arts that demonstrate diverse art forms and cultures. The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival is one of the premier events of ArtsWeek, a partnership among several community organizations committed to showcasing and celebrating the arts in our community.
The festival typically features more than 120 artists and crafters representing many States across the U.S.. In past years, the event attracts more than 50,000 visitors to shop and browse the art and crafts exhibits, and enjoy a variety of music, multicultural performances, summer refreshments and participatory activities.
Rally to Support Democracy Reform
Saturday (July 24)
11 a.m. in front of Wegman’s in DeWitt. Indivisible NY24
| Climate Change Awareness & Action Call to Action re. Support for Solar Farms in Town of Manlius! Wed., July 28 at 6:30pm, 301 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville The Town of Manlius (which includes the village of Manlius, Minoa and Fayetteville), is looking to set a six month moratorium on new solar projects. There is a public hearing on Wed., July 28 at 6:30pm, 301 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville to discuss the proposed moratorium. CCAA, www.climatechange-action.com is looking for residents from the Town of Manlius who would be willing to speak in support of solar farm development. At previous meetings those opposed to solar development have voiced their opposition with the goal of delaying and defeating two proposed new projects. Projects previously approved are also at risk. Teenagers are also encouraged to participate. Contact Elena Pacheco <elpaccamon@gmail.com> for more information. Potential speakers should contact Gavin Landless at <gavinvolunteer@protonmail.ch> or Peter Wirth, pwirth2@verizon.netIf you live in the Town of Manlius help us hit our goal of 100 signatures. Please sign our petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/support-for-solar-townofmanlius |
SAVE THE DATES:
Flip the Leg with Pam Hunter, Bill Magnarelli and Al Stirpe!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 AT 6 PM EDT – 9 PM EDT
Beer Belly Deli & Pub 510 Westcott St, Syracuse, NY
Flip the Leg with Pam Hunter, Bill Magnarelli and Al Stirpe!
Event by Flip the County Legislature
Join Onondaga County’s Assembly Delegation in a special event with a purpose: Put the Democrats in the Majority in the Onondaga County Legislature!
Live music by: Colin Aberdeen, William Nicholson, and Joe Driscoll
VIP TICKET: $. Onondaga County Democratic Committee Ticket: $50. Sponsor: $250
NY Independent Redistricting Commission Public Hearings
Aug. 5 and Aug. 9
Last Monday, the NY Independent Redistricting Commission announced a series of 8 virtual public hearings, each focused on a specific region. The hearings begin July 20th and conclude on August 12th; the dates for each region’s hearing are below as well as on the IRC website:
- Thursday August 5th: North Country/Mohawk Valley regions at 2pm
- Monday August 9th: Southern Tier/Central NY regions at 2pm
These hearings are a major moment in the redistricting process and it’s critical that we get as many NYIC members as possible to testify.
UJTF/NYCLU Press Conference/March for Justice in the Rt. 81 Project
August 14 at Noon; Location TBA
The revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is out, and hearings and comment schedules have been announced. CNY Solidarity Coalition will support this effort. More info to come!
Westcott St. Cultural Festival
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021
VERY BUSY? BUT WANT TO DO YOUR PART? JOIN STREET HEAT!
STAND FOR PALESTINE — expose IDF terrorism, Occupation and apartheid in Gaza and West Bank…
intersection of Erie Blvd E and E Genesee in De Witt…
4:15 to 5 p.m EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY
BRING YOUR OWN JUSTICE OR ANTINUCLEAR, KILLER DRONES etc. SIGN*…
Park St. opposite the Regional Market main entrance… every SATURDAY 9 to 9:45 a.m.
*or use one of ours. (Ann or Ed 315 478-4571 home)
***Social distancing***Legal***No meetings, no obligation, no cost***Easy parking***Rain or shine***
CNY Solidarity Coalition: Today and every day, be sure to follow us online and on social media. Check out our Website and our Instagram. Follow us on Twitter: @CNYSolidarity and @IndivisibleNY24 and Facebook: www.facebook.com/cnysolidarity/ and
www.facebook.com/groups/IndivisibleNY24
—
Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com