From CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Upcoming Meetings on Zoom: 2/20/22, 3/6/22, 3/20/22, 4/10/22, 4/24/22. Committees meet on their own. See last page to sign up for committee lists.
CNY Solidarity Coalition Meeting Feb. 20, 3 PM on Zoom:
Agenda: Housing in Syracuse: Tenants’ Rights, Good Cause Legislation, and Other Issues.
We will hear from our DSA allies on their housing campaigns and how we can collaborate and support them on these critical issues.
Articles of the Week:
Why I don’t trust the mainstream media – And how I keep up with the news nonetheless
By Robert Reich
“I read the Guardian, the American Prospect … Mother Jones, and The Atlantic. I follow several blogs (Daily Kos and Talking Points Memo, for example). I listen to the always thoughtful Democracy Now. And I subscribe to a few newsletters (I hope you like this one and spread word of it). “
Lack of funding, staff shortage strains Vera House operations
Read it in the Daily Orange
Syracuse’s rental desert gives evicted, homeless families little hope: ‘Good luck finding an apartment’
Read it on Syracuse.com
“Homelessness, which had decreased dramatically during the pandemic because of the eviction moratorium, is climbing. The annual count last month of the region’s homeless showed a 40% increase. Those numbers don’t account for families that have no place of their own but avoid shelters by floating from couch to couch.”
Onondaga County should spend $85 million on public health, not an aquarium
By Dr. Sunny Aslam. Will we build an aquarium with its promise of trickle down riches in the vein of our local mall, or will we make an investment in our economy and public health that will pay dividends for generations?
Read it on Syracuse.com
Wave of Coups Disrupts Africa as U.S.-Trained Soldiers Play Key Role in Overthrowing Governments
“The African Union is condemning a wave of coups in Africa, where military forces have seized power over the past 18 months in Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan and, most recently, in January, Burkina Faso. Several were led by U.S.-trained officers as part of a growing U.S. military presence in the region under the guise of counterterrorism…”
ACTION ALERTS:
Historic American Legion Post, first to open doors to Black veterans, in need of repairs
The American Legion Dunbar Post 1642 (on Dell and Columbus, off Westcott St.) was formed in March 1947 by African American veterans who were not initially welcomed or invited to other Posts.
Our 100-year-old building is in dire need of repairs to the siding and roof. The cost is too large for us to cover on our own. We ask for your help with building repairs (roof, siding) that will sustain us through the next 75 years. We hope to start this project in Spring 2022. Thank you for your contribution to preserving history. Donate Here
TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress: Urge our members of Congress to speak out for diplomacy in Ukraine. Use this email tool to tell Congress that instead of voting for legislation that would exacerbate tensions by sending $500 in military aid to Ukraine and imposing additional sanctions on Russia, members of Congress need to push for diplomatic resolutions and de-escalation. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are currently cosponsors of the bill. They need to hear from us!
The fight against the aquarium is not over. (and see Dr. Sunny’s letter above)
Ryan McMahon remains committed to his pet project. While the new Chair, James Rowley, has previously indicated his opposition, part of his job consists of negotiating with Ryan McMahon. To fight this useless project, please send letters to the editor: letters@syracuse.com Send a copy of your letter to:
James Rowley, Chairman of the Legislature. His email address is jamesrowley@onov.net
Jamie McNamara, Secretary of the Legislature; ask her to circulate your letter to all of the county legislators.
jamiemcnamara@ongov.net
Previous letters have covered the economic unreality of the project and places where money could be better spent- (fully restoring the social services staff that was laid off, opioid addiction, health care, economic relief, pandemic relief, health care, job training, roads, etc.
Support construction of a solar farm on the Manlius municipal land fill.
The Town of Dewitt constructed a solar farm on their landfill a number of years ago. That farm supplies all of the Town’s electricity for buildings, facilities, streetlights, and water and sewer pumps. Our solar farm would perform a similar function.
If you live in the Town of Manlius, please email a letter of support. We defeated the moratorium against solar developments a few months ago, and now is our chance to get this solar farm approved! More info Here
Letters should be addressed to Attn: Town Planning Board and e-mailed as follows:
To: Lisa Beeman, Planning Board Clerk: lbeeman@townofmanlius.org
CC: John Deer, Town Supervisor: jdeer@townofmanlius.org and Allison Weber, Town Clerk: aweber@townofmanlius.org
Please complete the following surveys if you are a constituent:
Al Stirpe: Survey Link Here
Rep. John Katko: Link to Survey Feel free to use the “Other” and give your comments.
William Magnarelli: Link to Magnarelli Survey
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR:
THE STRUGGLE TO CONNECT: A Call and Response Conversation on Race and Gender by Women Artists. Curated by Vanessa Johnson
February 5, 2022 to March 19, 2022
ArtRage Gallery https://artragegallery.org
The Struggle to Connect is an invitational group exhibition featuring a racially diverse group of women artists from CNY and beyond. The exhibit will confront the differences between white feminism and the feminist issues of women of color and explore differences in experiences and perspectives.
Mental Health In Black Community Series Feb 2022
Free online educational webinars every Saturday during the month of February. Join us and break the stigma and silence. Series on Mental Health in the Black Community. Please share and register today at: https://lnkd.in/d58_XM7K
February 5- Mental Health in the Black Community: Historical Perspective, Cultural Values, Stigma, Suicide Prevention and Opportunities
February 12– The Impact of the 2 pandemics: Covid-19 & Racism and Managing Chronic Health Issues, Loss, Grief and Trauma
February 19- Diversity of Perspectives and Needs: Children, Black Males, Older Adults, Justice Involved and LGBTQ Populations
February 26- Social Determinants, Education, Engagement and System Change: Where do we go from here?
For more information on BIPOC Parent Voice, go to: http://www.bipocparentvoice.org
Housing Rights Teach-In
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022 AT 6 PM
Hall of Languages, Room 202, Syracuse University
Event by Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power – STOP Coalition and Syracuse PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation)
Never got your deposit back? Landlord not doing repairs? Curious about what you can do?
We will be doing a teach-in on tenants’ and housing rights. Hard for a landlord to take advantage of empowered tenants!
Join the STOP! coalition, Syracuse Party for Socialism and Liberation, and SU Young Democratic Socialists of America to be empowered!
“Heating-Up: The State of Building Electrification in NYS “
Friday, February 11, 12:00pm – 1:30pm, EST
Greening USA
Join this Virtual Green Bag Lunch conversation about the critically important move toward electrification of buildings.
Learn about the progress being made in New York State to electrify buildings.
We’ll also be discussing electrification and heat pumps from a new construction standpoint and the pros/cons of heat pump domestic hot water technology.
FREE! But you must be registered by February 10 @ 5pm to attend.Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/5epb6cux
A link to the GoToMeeting platform will be sent to those registered on February 10.
“No U.S. War with Russia over Ukraine” Demonstration
Friday, Feb. 11 – 4 PM at the corner of E. Genesee and Erie Blvd, Dewitt
Please join us for a “No U.S. War with Russia over Ukraine” protest. Bring signs or use one of ours.
We recognize that there are many crises happening around the world in this moment – escalating tensions around Ukraine between the US, NATO and Russia; the economic collapse in Afghanistan caused by US sanctions; increased bombing of Yemen; and much more. Humanitarian catastrophes are either looming, unfolding, or have been ongoing for years. This is a difficult time and as peace advocates and activists, we have a lot of work to do.
Bring signs or use one of ours. Organized by Beyond War and Militarism, a joint committee of the CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council. .
*SAVE THE DATES*
Syracuse BLM Police & Prison Abolition Study Group (Meeting #3)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 AT 12 PM – 1:30 PM
Syracuse BLM Police & Prison Abolition Study Group (Meeting #3)
Event by BLM Syracuse
BLM is hosting biweekly police & prison abolition study group sessions! If you want to learn more about prisons, police, police abolition, or how to fight police violence, come thru. It’s a good way to meet other activists in Central New York and talk about how we can make Syracuse a safe city for everyone. Our next study group meeting is Saturday, Feb 19th at noon.
See the Syracuse BLM Facebook page for posts on what articles & videos we’ll be talking about in each meeting.
If you want to join any of the study sessions and need accommodations (internet access, ASL services, etc.), please email Syracuse BLM at blacklivesmattersyracuse315@gmail.com AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so we can try to get your accommodations.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84920453656
Meeting ID: 849 2045 3656
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgO2yzRN
Heat Pump Homeowner Happy Hour!
By HeatSmart
Come brag about your system, ask questions about best operating practices, and generally enjoy the company of other heat pump homeowners. You are part of the climate solution! Homeowners considering heat pumps are also welcome to attend.
Time
You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions.
Feb 25, 2022 05:00 PM; Mar 25, 2022 05:00 PM; Apr 29, 2022 05:00 PM
VERY BUSY? BUT WANT TO DO YOUR PART? JOIN STREET HEAT!
BAN KILLER DRONES MONTHLY STREET HEAT
4 to 4:45 pm every first Tuesday of the month thru the winter – local upstate drone action coalition members protest the nys national guard’s 174th attack wing.
For over a decade we have been gathering right across from the main gate of the 174th’s host, Hancock Airbase, on East Molloy Road in the town of Dewitt.
Please join us. To learn more: 315 478 4571 and upstatedroneaction.org.
PALESTINE SOLIDARITY WEEKLY STREET HEAT. Gaza and Palestine Solidarity Street Heat to 4 -4:45 PM Every Friday. Join us at the intersection of East Genesee St & Erie Blvd east [across from the DeWitt fire station]
CNY Solidarity Coalition
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
Mailing Address:
CNY Solidarity Coalition
2013 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210
To contribute: Donate Here through PayPal
Or send checks to mailing address above
From our Committees: To sign up for each of the committee mailing lists, contact the person listed.
Indivisible NY24: Contact: Deborah Rose: dcurryrose@gmail.com
Climate Justice: Contact: Dick Kornbluth dick@dickkornbluth.com
SLAT (State/Local Action Team) Contact: Peter McCarthy – pmccar1100@gmail.com
Beyond War and Militarism. A joint committee of CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Syracuse Peace Council.Contact: Ron Van Norstrand; ron@vannorstrandlaw.com
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Peter McCarthy
pmccar1100@gmail.com