CNY Solidarity Newsletter :: March 28 – April 4

From CNY Solidarity Coalition

Our Zoom meeting on 3/26/23 featured Oceanna Fair of Families for Lead Freedom. It was a compelling presentation about the dangers of lead poisoning and what needs to be done.

You can watch it on our YouTube channel Here.
After watching, call City and County legislators and officials and demand action.
Donate to Families for Lead FreedomNow (PayPal) Here.
Email your elected officials right here about our State’s lead poisoning crisis and their need to act now.
See the Harvard University Public Health report: Lead poisoning is a crisis for Syracuse’s Black families (harvardpublichealth.org).
More? Families for Lead Freedom Here and statewide Lead Free Kids NY Here

CNY Solidarity’s current plan for meetings, dependent on health warnings:

One in-person meeting per month.
An additional Zoom meeting each month will likely be scheduled, depending on issues.
Meetings will start at 3 PM, followed by in-person Committee Meetings when scheduled.
In case of inclement weather or other issues, a notification/Zoom link by 10 AM on the day of the meeting.
Please wear a mask, and practice reasonable social distancing.

Next Meeting: Sunday April 16, 3 PM In-person

ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:

Here’s Your Guide to the 2023 State Budget Fight

New York Focus / March 16, 2023. We added up the governor and the legislature’s joint priorities and broke down their major divisions. The splits will define the year’s big legislative battles. https://www.nysfocus.com/2023/03/16/kathy-hochul-budget-senate-assembly-2023/

Over 200 People Sign Open Letter To Rep. Brandon Williams Asking For Public Town Halls

Read it Here on www.CNYCentral.com

Rep. Brandon Williams To Hold First Town Hall Meetings In Central New York

“Williams, a Republican, said today he will host four public meetings in April in Madison and Oneida counties. A second series of town hall meetings will be held later in the year.” Read it Here on Syracuse.com

League of Women Voters of New York State has reviewed and assessed the Senate and Assembly one house budgets and has identified the decisions we support and oppose. Read our statements: https://bit.ly/3lua0Wf and https://bit.ly/3LIT2Of.

Central Current Editor-In-Chief Joins Campbell Conversations Read/Listen Here

Julie McMahon joined Grant Reeher of Campbell Conversations recently. They discussed the growth of the organization from a year ago, lessons learned as staff continue to weave through the nonprofit startup process, its local radio partnership with WCNY, and story favorites that have graced the pages of its digital publication.

Some Of The Best-Informed Local Political Writing is at https://dustinczarny.com

Dustin Czarny’s weekly blog The Weekly Wonk deals with statistics, data, and election law for Onondaga County and New York State. He has also compiled Editorials Missives, and Testimony from over the years.

Police Use “Less Lethal” Weapons to Crush Social Movements Across the World

A new report finds that more than 121,000 people globally were injured or killed by crowd-control weapons since 2015. Read iton https://truthout.org

“Based on interviews with 22 civil liberties experts, the report concludes that Black Lives Matter protests against police violence were met with a “disproportionately high levels of violence.” Violence against environmental protesters is on the rise globally, including in the U.S., where police wielding traditional firearms recently shot and killed a forest defender in Atlanta known as “Tortuguita” under suspicious circumstances.”

Quaker Pamphlet To Counteract Militarisation Of British Schools

Quakers have produced a resource to help schools offer a balanced perspective after their research found widespread targeting of schoolchildren by the armed forces and arms companies. Read the Article

Read and Download the Pamphlet Here

ACTION ALERTS:

NYS Budget Date Approaches: Invest in Our NY (IONY)!

https://investinourny.org

https://www.facebook.com/InvestinourNY

Wealthy corporations rig the system to avoid paying the taxes they owe, depriving our communities of the resources we deserve. Let’s unrig the system and #InvestInOurNY!

Please call your Senator and Assemblymember and urge them to stand firm on the respective Senate/Assembly positions on the budget. They need to hear from us EVERY DAY. (This P2A tool makes it easy and includes a sample script) Please support from home with this social media toolkit.

More on the Invest in Our NY (IONY) Campaign

NY Working Families Party shared a statement on behalf of the Invest in Our NY Campaign.

a new Siena Poll confirmed what we already know: taxing the ultra-wealthy is popular.

City & State – Ahead of the final budget deadline, the push to tax the wealthy heats up

News 10 – Final push for tax the rich before budget deadline

NCPR – NY Voters Back Taxing the Rich, Changing Bail Reform but Lawmakers are Divided

Eyewitness Palestine Delegation

Witness the Israeli occupation! Help the Justice for Palestine committee fundraise $5,000 to send a member of the community on a delegation to Palestine. Donate via paypal or contact ayeh@peacecouncil.net

EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR

Please Show Up and Support NYCLU

ReZone Syracuse Public Hearing – City Planning Commission

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 At 5:30 Pm – Syracuse City Hall Common Council Chambers

https://www.syr.gov/…/CPC-Special-Meeting-2023-03-38

Members of the public wishing to comment in person during the Public Hearing will be limited to three minutes.

Written comments may be submitted at the Public Hearing, mailed, or emailed to the Office of Zoning Administration at 201 East Washington Street, Room 500, Syracuse, NY 13202, or zoning@syr.gov.

Written comments will be accepted up until the Public Hearing is closed.

https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Planning/Planning-Initiatives/ReZone-Syracuse

We encourage everyone to attend the ReZone public hearing. If you cannot go, watch it here

If you don’t know what ZONING is or how it impacts a community, see the attached YouTube links, here and here. It is the process in which a City or municipality choses what type of neighborhoods we live in and who or what lives around us.

“Everyone Can Sing” – Exploring Our Voices

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 At 7 Pm – 9 Pm – Grace Episcopal Church of Syracuse

“Everyone Can Sing” Exploring Our Voices

Come join the Syracuse Community Choir and Singing Soulutions for an evening of exploring the connective, imperfect, and joyful possibilities of singing together.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or you only belt out your favorite song in the shower, we invite you into the possibility of growing your skills and vulnerability through embodied singing. We will sing and move together and guide workshops including singing 101, holding your part, and four-part harmonizing. We believe that everyone can sing, and the intention of this workshop is to meet you wherever you are in your singing journey.

This event is open to the public. Recommended donation of $5 – 25, no one ever turned away due to lack of funds.

Central Current Virtual Town Hall: Bring-a-Friend

Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m.

Like what you’ve been reading? Tell a friend (or two!) to join us for an evening of dialogue, questions and answers with Central Current’s editorial and business staff.

To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

Climate Connections: Our Shared Future – Opening Reception

Saturday, April 1, 2023 At 6 Pm – 8 Pm More info Here

ArtRage Gallery Join us for the opening reception of “Climate Connections: Our Shared Future” Three local artists, Christine Chin of Ithaca and Anita Welych & Carrie Drake of Syracuse, explore the natural environment and the consequences of climate change through their art.

Christine uses NOAA data to create her Stuffed Storms fabric sculptures, which are a visual record of the Atlantic Tropical Storm seasons.

Since 2010 Anita has been researching declining North American bird populations in what scientists are calling a “mass extinction event.” Her work, Dwindle, seeks to visually represent scientific meta-data of bird populations during the periods between 1966-1974 and 2016-2018.

Continuing to explore local impacts, Carrie will invite the public into an interactive component of her art, asking us all to reflect on our shared responsibility for addressing the climate crisis. Participants are invited to color one of four images of Syracuse parks, which will be overlapped and displayed in the gallery.

Liberation for All: Combating Anti-Semitism and All Hate

Sunday, April 2nd from 4-5:30 pm at the ArtRage Gallery (505 Hawley Ave Syracuse, NY)

As we prepare for Passover — our celebration of liberation from slavery in Egypt — Syracuse Jews for Peace invites Central New Yorkers to join us to learn about this important holiday and reflect on rising anti-semitism in the United States and elsewhere. We will share our vision that safety and security for Jews is deeply connected to the fate of all people who are targeted for hate and oppression. There is no liberation in isolation; it must be a collective struggle. The event will feature speakers, songs and a brief ritual involving eating Matzoh and some traditional Passover foods. Organized by Syracuse Jews for Peace with co-sponsorship of the Justice for Palestine Committee and Congregation Tikkun v’Or, Ithaca NY.

Save the Dates

Syracuse Citizen Review Board (CRB): Acknowledging 30 Years!

Wed., April 5, 2023

10:30 AM Assembly @ Dunbar Center and Hopps Memorial Church

11:oo AM March to City Hall

12:00 PM Speakers: City Hall Steps

5:30 PM @ Nancy Cantor Warehouse: Reception; Discussion of the CRB’s past, Present, and Future

Center for Native Peoples & the Environment Film Series

Thursday, April 6th Moon Library at ESF, Room 110, 5-7pm

Our last film screening of the semester – a double feature!

The Good Mind: Onondaga Nation fights for environmental stewardship of their ancestral lands that were stolen by New York State in violation of a treaty with George Washington. (66 min. 2016)

The Haudenosaunee Canoe Journey is an adventurous firsthand account of one Onondaga man, Hickory Edwards, who has devoted his life to the rediscovery of the path of the “Peace Maker.” Relying on knowledge from elders and intuition to guide his team in the right direction, Hickory hopes to navigate the full waterways and traveling routes long forgotten by his people. (45 min. 2020)

Fundraiser To Benefit The Syracuse Democratic Slate

Thursday, April 13, 2023. 5:30-8:30. Harvey’s Garden, 1200 E Water St, Syracuse, NY

Please join Towns Chair Diane Dwire and City Chair Jimmy Monto.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cityslate

Checks may be made payable and mailed to: OCDC, 615 W Genesee St, Ste 103 Syracuse, NY 13204

Nonviolent Action from Civil Rights to Climate Justice

Thurs. April 13, 6-7:30pm. Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library at SU, Room 114.

Activist and author George Lakey discusses his work with the Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), a mostly youth-led coalition, which he co-founded to pursue ecojustice at the intersections of race, class, queerness, and the climate crisis. Series info: https://envirostorycny.com/

Climate Justice Nonviolent Direct Action Training

Fri., April 14, 9am-12pm. Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), 805 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13210

Civil rights leader and author George Lakey works with community leaders and university students, faculty, and staff to think carefully about how they can craft nonviolent social change campaigns to be inclusive, powerful, and successful. Open to the public, but space is limited. Please register by Friday, April 7, 2023. Series info: https://envirostorycny.com/

The Letter: A Message for Our Earth

Saturday April 15^th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St, Liverpool, NY 13088

First Showing: Co-Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and Liverpool Public Library

FREE but you must register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9zycmt

Pope Francis has written a document called Laudato Si’ where he calls on “all people of good will” to care for our common home. He also highlights the importance of open, respectful dialogue with scientists and people of other faiths in addressing the ecological crisis. Based on the Laudato Si’ document, this film demonstrates how common ground can be found in people of different faiths and backgrounds by addressing shared values and delivering hope. The approximately 90 minute film showing will be followed by time for dialog, discussion, and calls to action. Film Trailer: https://tinyurl.com/2ud82md5

Second Showing: Co-Sponsored byThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and ArtRage Gallery

April 26, 2023. Film screening 7pm; doors open at 6:30pm for patrons to view exhibit, Climate Connections.

ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203 A light snack will be available.

FREE but you must register: https://tinyurl.com/2mmr25bj

Medea Benjamin is Coming to Speak

April 19-21

Syracuse Peace Council is excited to announce that Medea Benjamin will be in Syracuse for a series of events promoting her recent book that she co-authored with Nicolas J.S. Davies. The book is called War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless War and copies are available in the office for $20. This is a link to a short video on the book. Medea is a long time peace activist and the author of numerous books as well as the founder of CODEPINK and Peace in Ukraine Coalition. Here is a link to her biography and to some reviews of her book.

Events include talks at Lemoyne College, Syracuse University and a Peace Council event Friday April 21 at Bishop Harrison 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse. More details will be forthcoming.

Electronics Recycling Event Sat. April 22, 2023 8:30AM – 2:30 PM Destiny USA- Register Here

Novelis Party for the Planet
Sat. April 22, 2023, 11am-3pm Rosamond Gifford Zoo
GreeningUSA is working with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to bring this to the Central NY Community!
The zoo’s annual Earth Day celebration brings dozens of conservation groups and thousands of visitors to the zoo to spotlight nature conservation and saving species. Features animal demonstrations and keeper chats focused on endangered species, conservation-themed games and activities, puppet shows, green infrastructure and garden tours, and more. Our Conservation Stations and Eco-partners offer fun activities, giveaways and tips on how we can all help protect our planet. Information: https://tinyurl.com/c6uf5ua6

Palestinian Poetry Night

Tues. April 25th at 7 pm. ArtRage Gallery. 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203

Join us for a poetry event hosted by the SPC Justice for Palestine Committee! We will have renowned poet, essayist, and short story writer, Mosab Abu Toha, sharing his poetry with us on his experiences as a Palestinian from Gaza. He is the proud author of Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza (2022, City Lights), which earned him the prestigious 2022 Palestine Book Award. Abu Toha is also the founder of the Edward Said Library, the first English-language library in Gaza. His talents were recognized in 2019-2020 where he served as a visiting poet and librarian-in-residence at Harvard University. He is currently a graduate student at Syracuse University studying English.

Central Current Virtual Town Hall: Commentary & Perspectives Edition

Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. -Central Current has heard a lot of interest from our readers in submitting letters, opinion, creative writing and commentary. Our staff will lead a roundtable discussion about opinion and readers’ submissions. We’ll discuss Central Current’s vision and what it would take to execute this addition to our website in the future. To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

EarthFest 2023

Sat., April 29, Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville

Sustainable Manlius and Renewable Fayetteville will be hosting a large, outdoor environmental and sustainability event. Informational booths, an EV car show, EV buses and many other educational and fun activities for both adults and children. Learn about solar power, native plants, EVs and bicycles, composting techniques and sustainable practices, among other things.

Vincent Intondi is a Professor of History and Director of the Institute for Race, Justice, and Civic Engagement at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland

Sat. April 29 1-2:30 pm Barnes and Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd East. Dewitt, NY

Intondi regularly works with organizations exploring ways to include more diverse voices in the nuclear disarmament movement. His research focuses on the intersection of race and nuclear weapons. He is the author of the books: African Americans Against the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Colonialism, and the Black Freedom Movement and Saving the World from Nuclear War: The June 12, 1982, Disarmament Rally and Beyond.

Central Current Spring Fundraiser Kick-off at Harvey’s Garden. Thursday, May 25, 6 pm

Join Central Current in-person at Harvey’s Garden for local food, drink and music. Hear about what we’ve accomplished since our launch in June 2022, see what’s in store for 2023, and mingle with the community and our staff. There may just be a surprise or two in store! To attend: sign up for newsletter, membership, or donation: https://centralcurrent.org

Central Current In-Person Focus Group: Commentary & Perspectives: Thursday, June 22, 6 Pm

There was a real interest in this topic. We hear you – and that’s why we’ll have a virtual AND in-person discussion around this. If you’d like to participate, email membership@centralcurrent.org

Election Day: Tues. November 7, 2023 County, town, and village elections. More info: NY State Board of Elections page and at the Onondaga County Board of Elections Primaries will be in June.

ONGOING EVENTS:

Looking For Flexible — No Meeting, No Committee — Opportunity To Oppose War And Oppression And Work For Peace And Social Justice?

We call it STREET HEAT: an easy, uncomplicated way –in solidarity with a handful of others — to stand up and out for what we stand for. Greeting passing traffic at rush hour with hand-held signs, we want to get them thinking about the day’s crucial issues.

First Tuesday Of The Month…4 to 4:45 p.m.: Killer drones

Hancock AFB (home of the 174th Attack Wing of the NYS National Guard), 6000 East Molloy Rd.

across from the main gate. Park on the south shoulder.

Every Friday…4 to 4:45 p.m.

West sidewalk of the broad intersection of Erie Blvd East & East Genesee St. in De Witt (across from the Fire Dept.)

For years our focus has been on solidarity with the people of Palestine; while the invasion of Ukraine persists, we also address that tragedy.

Our current stalwart team: Julienne, Les, Leslie, Geoff, Ed, Ann, Peter…. To learn more: Ed or Ann 315 478 4571