CNY Solidarity Coalition In-Person Meeting
Sunday April 16, 3-4:30 PM. Bishop Harrison Center, Spiritual Renewal Center (upstairs)
1340 Lancaster Ave. Syr. 13210
Agenda:
3-3:30 Announcements and Updates:
- NYS Budget
- Local Races
- NY 22 Town Halls
3:30-4:30 Committee Meetings: All are welcome to come and choose a committee to visit!
Some info on our Mailing Lists: CNY Solidarity Coalition maintains several different mailing lists. This newsletter goes out to our Announcement List, about 2400 people. Each committee has its own list. (See last page for committee contacts if you want to be added.) Questions: cnysolidarity@gmail.com
May/June Dates and Locations TBD:
We are planning a special meeting on the Micron project’s environmental impacts, particularly water and energy use. More information to come!
ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:
Rep. Williams Holds First Town Hall Event In Madison County
Read or Listen to it on www.WRVO.org A group of constituents in the 22nd Congressional District demonstrated outside the town hall holding signs advocating for protecting social security and Medicare and Medicaid. …
The Williams team says town halls will be held in Onondaga County the first week of May.
Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire (Note: This is the Original ProPublica Story)
Island-hopping on a superyacht. Private jet rides around the world. The undisclosed gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the Supreme Court. “It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this,” says one former judge. Read it Here on ProPublica. And Here is the ProPublica Follow-up: Clarence Thomas Defends Undisclosed “Family Trips” with GOP Megadonor. Here Are the Facts.
And one from AlterNet Here: ‘He Should Speak To Someone Who Knows The Law’: Clarence Thomas Mocked Over Why He Didn’t Disclose Gifts
Sen. Murphy pointed to this ThinkProgress article from well over a decade ago, 2011, titled: “Second Harlan Crow Connected Group Has A Perfect Litigation Record Before Justice Thomas.” (The ThinkProgess link is worth a read.)
So Here’s Another Story From The County Legislature. It’s In The Category Of ‘Believe It Or Not’. Read Here on Facebook how the County Leg Republican majority killed a proposed ethics policy.
When Lunatics Run the Asylum: Savage Capitalism, From Climate Change to Bank Failures to War
Excerpted from David Barsamian’s recent interview with Noam Chomsky at AlternativeRadio.
Read the excerpted version Here on TomDispatch.com OR Listen to the full interview Here
‘Headed Off The Charts’: World’s Ocean Surface Temperature Hits Record High
Scientists warn of more marine heatwaves, leading to increased risk of extreme weather. Read it in The Guardian.
How Vanuatu’s Climate Campaign Could Save the World
The tiny island country has pushed the UN and the International Court of Justice to take unprecedented action that could help avert planetary catastrophe. Read it in The Nation. “… the court could unlock the power of international law to bring about the kind of transformations that the climate crisis requires.”
How Officials in Georgia are Suppressing Political Protest as ‘Domestic Terrorism’
Misguided, draconian laws are being used to punish and chill legitimate political protest.
“Police killed one protester in January. They have arrested dozens more, including a legal observer associated with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Lawyers Guild. And prosecutors have levied severe charges under Georgia’s rarely-used domestic terrorism statute.” Read it on www.ACLU.org
ACTION ALERTS:
Who do you know who would like to subscribe to this newsletter? Please forward to a friend who needs to see it! Subscribe Here
Tax the Rich/Invest in Our New York Update
The Governor is holding up the budget process in an attempt to force through regressive policies that benefit her billionaire supporters such as rolling back bail reform, expanding the charter school cap, and locking in poverty wages for New Yorkers. Enough is enough. We are demanding a final budget that raises taxes on New York’s millionaires, billionaires, and richest corporations AND that invests in our communities.
Here’s a social media toolkit that you can use to help.
Urban Jobs Task Force: Executive Director Job: Info and application: https://www.ujtfs.org
Syracuse Peace Council is Looking for A Database Expert: lee@peacecouncil.net or 315.472.5478
Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) is in search of four full-time Energy Advisors for our Central New York Regional Clean Energy Hub. Info Here
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Clarence Thomas’ Secret Life of Luxury
Tuesday, April 11. 3-3:45 p.m. Eastern time Virtual Event
This week, ProPublica published a bombshell report about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that shook Washington, sparked national outrage and caused lawmakers to call for tighter ethics codes for justices. ProPublica’s Editor-in-Chief Steve Engelberg and reporter Joshua Kaplan will share the inside story of how the investigation came together and discuss what the revelations mean for our justice system. … The extent and frequency of Crow’s apparent gifts to Thomas has no known precedent in the modern history of the Supreme Court. Register Here
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (fake abortion clinics)
Presentation by Joan Adler from End Abortion Stigma
Tues. 4/11, 6:00 pm. Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86308956188 Meeting ID: 863 0895 6188
Congressman Brandon Williams Has 3 More Town Halls.
Start planning now which one(s) you can attend. Watch for updates.
Rome – 6:30 p.m. Tues. April 11, Lyndon Strough Middle School, 801 Laurel St.
Morrisville – 6:30 p.m. Thur. April 13, Morrisville-Eaton Middle/High School, 5061 Fearon Road
New Hartford – 6:30 p.m. Mon. May 1, Bradley Elementary School, 33 Oxford Rd. (New date: changed from Apr. 6)
Sign up for the Congressman’s mailing list: https://brandonwilliams.house.gov
Stop Climate Disinformation from Poisoning our Minds and Our Planet
Indivisible Truth Brigade’s BIG TRUTHS Webinar
Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 pm
Featured speakers: Lisa Graves, Researcher featured in this NPR article on rural solar disinformation Kate Cell, Senior Climate Campaign Manager, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). We’ll take a close look at coordinated programs to misinform the population about solar energy and climate repair, especially in rural areas, as well as disinformation that’s intended to BLOCK use of IRA funds designated for Clean Energy! Register now.
Climate Connections: Artist Talk with Christine Chin, Carrie Drake, and Anita Welych
Wed. April 12, 2023. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM @ ArtRage Gallery 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203
Join us for Artist Talk with the three artists featured in our current exhibition CLIMATE CONNECTIONS: Our Shared Future; Christine Chin of Ithaca, and Carrie Drake and Anita Welych of Syracuse.
How To Tell What’s True In The News – In The Age Of Generative AI [Webinar]
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 AT 7 PM Eastern Time. Register: Go To Link
How To Tell What’s True In The News – In The Age Of Generative AI [Webinar]
In a noisy and crowded media landscape, it can be challenging to tell what information is credible and what isn’t. The advances in generative AI in the last few months have added new layers of challenges to distinguishing what’s true. Want to hone your skills for discerning the veracity of the content you encounter? Join us for a special one-hour webinar where we’ll discuss tools, best practices, and strategies for sorting out credibility yourself—for both human-created and machine-created content. Event by Ad Fontes Media
Decolonizing Economics
Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Shelter & Solidarity is an occasional series of conversations addressing the critical issues of our times. David Cobb and Nicola Walters speak to their 4th annual post-capitalism conference. While this is certainly a time to reconnect with old friends, Shelter & Solidarity and e5 regulars, poised as we are on the knife edge of a deep recession and catastrophic climate change, David and Nicola will help us think through the many strands woven into our moment. We will learn why their organizing work, including the creation of space to step back from “retail” organizing and to think, is important. Visit our website for their first appearance on Shelter & Solidarity. To join the conversation on Wednesday, ensure that Zoom is installed on your computer/tablet or phone, and click here.
For the last three years, the Post-Capitalism Conference has brought together organizers, academics, leaders, students, workers, artists, and creators, to imagine a world beyond ecological, economic, social and political crisis. This year, the summit convenes on the topic of decolonizing economics. The Decolonizing Economics Summit: The 4th Annual Post-Capitalism Conference will take place from April 20-22, from 9:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. PST (visit the conference website to register – https://decolonizingeconomicssummit.org/).
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/
Providing Hope at the Border. Strathmore Speakers Series & Onondaga Free Library
Thurs. Apr 13, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern. Virtual Event Register Here
In this insightful talk, Jim McKeever and Nina Wickett will share their experiences, including working alongside migrants in a community kitchen in Tijuana, escorting recently released ICE detainees to the San Diego airport to reunite with loved ones across the U.S., placing life-saving water and supplies in the desert, and delivering groceries to shelters in Tijuana. Jim and Nina say they have witnessed the extraordinary courage, resilience and gratitude of the migrants who are hopeful that the U.S. will welcome them. A brief Q&A will follow their presentation.
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/
Family Day: Climate Connections
Sat. April 15, 2023 – 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM@ ArtRage Gallery 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203
Join us for a Saturday open house for families and children of all ages. We will have several hands-on activities planned to further engage with the themes of our current exhibition, Climate Connections: Our Shared Future.
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
Saturday April 15th, 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. …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 Here
Second Showing: Co-Sponsored by The 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
CNY Solidarity Coalition In-Person Meeting (see above)
Sunday April 16, 3-4:30 PM
Syracuse DSA April General Meeting
Sunday, April 16; 4:00pm-5:30pm agenda portion of the meeting; 5:30-6:00pm for a social.
Artrage Gallery and Zoom RSVP Here We’ll have discussions about our ongoing campaigns and work off the progress we made in our organizing committee meetings!
100 Black Men Of Syracuse Town Hall about the lead poisoning crisis in the city.
Tuesday, April 18. 5:30 p.m. Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave.
Moderated by Joe Driscoll, the Interstate 81 Project Director. The panel of experts and community members will include Paul Ciavarri, a community organizer for Legal Services of Central New York; Kiara Van Brackle, a community health researcher; and public health consultant Debra Lewis, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program coordinator for the Onondaga County Health Department.
Annual TAX DAY Protest
Tues., April 18. 4:30 – 5:30 PM, 2013 E. Genesee St, in front of Center for Peace & Social Justice
Stand up in favor of your Federal taxes funding equity and human needs, not the military and weapons and war !
Save the Dates
Upstate Drone Action Earth Day Action
Friday, April 21, 2023 At 12 Pm at the James M. Hanley Federal Building, 100 S. Clinton St, Syracuse
In solidarity with The Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal. Please join us on for our annual Earth Day Action! We will deliver subpoenas for the Tribunal to those who enable the Merchants of Death and show their true faces. We begin our visits to the local pillars of the War Machine in Syracuse, NY. We will be accompanied by Medea Benjamin, the intrepid leader of CodePink, and Diane Sare, who is running against Senator Gillibrand on an antiwar ticket, as we deliver an Indictment and several subpoenas for the Merchants of Death People’s Tribunal on War Crimes. The Merchants of Death People’s Tribunal on War Crimes will be live-streamed November 10-13, 2023 at MerchantsOfDeath.org.
BLM, BHM, DEI, CRT: Alphabets Against American Amnesia
Fri., April 21. 4 PM EDTRegister Here
Michael Eric Dyson, is Distinguished University Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, College of Arts & Science, and Distinguished University Professor of Ethics and Society, The Divinity School, and NEH Centennial Chair at Vanderbilt University. Given the polarization surrounding conversations about race in America, how do we adequately respond to the crises and catastrophes occasioned by white backlash, resurgent white supremacy and resilient white nationalism? Historic and contemporary forms of Black struggle offer instructive resistance to these socially malignant forces and position the contemporary debate about race in relation to preceding epochs of racial malaise and racist terror.
An Evening With Medea Benjamin
Friday, April 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Bishop Harrison Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave. Syracuse, NY
Join us for a discussion and book signing by Medea Benjamin for her latest book release, War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, co-written with Nicolas Davis. Medea has been an advocate for social justice for 50 years. She was one of 1,000 exemplary women from 140 countries nominated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the millions of women who do the essential work of peace worldwide. Info Here
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. Information: https://tinyurl.com/c6uf5ua6
GreeningUSA is working with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to bring this to the Central NY Community!
Earth Day celebration brings dozens of conservation groups 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.
Day of Action for Communities Not Cages
Tues. April 25, Albany
The day will include creative actions, press conferences, rallies, and meetings with lawmakers. Transportation and food provided. This will be an opportunity to call for passage of the Second Look Act, Earned Time Act, and Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act to overhaul New York’s racist and unjust sentencing laws and bring our loved ones home. We have the support of many lawmakers and this will be an important opportunity for us to push for passage of these urgent bills. Please help make the day as powerful as possible!
ORG TURNOUT: Let us know how many members, clients, or colleagues you can bring on April 25! Thank you to Westchester for Change, Bronx Defenders, Legal Action Center, Fortune Society, New York Civil Liberties Union, PSPNY, TPW, CASES, NYCC, and New Hour who have already committed to turning people out! Let us know how many people your org can bring (and ask people to sign-up here).
RSVP & AMPLIFY: RSVP for yourself here. Help spread the word on social media with the attached graphic and social media toolkit here. Please post today!
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. https://peacecouncil.net/event/palestinian-poetry-night/
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
An Evening Read! NYIC’s Second Annual Authors’ Event
The New York Immigration Coalition
April 27, 6 PM Free virtual event
We will welcome award-winning authors Zaina Arafat, Patricia Engel, Porochista Khakpour and Jaime Manrique to a moderated panel discussion where they will provide exclusive commentary on their literary works and discuss how immigration intersects with their art. For more information or to secure your tickets: https://nyic.me/3Gmz20C
EarthFest 2023
Sat., April 29, Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville
Sustainable Manlius and Renewable Fayetteville will host a large, outdoor environmental and sustainability event. Information booths, an EV car show, EV buses and many other educational and fun activities for adults and children. Solar power, native plants, EVs and bicycles, composting techniques and sustainable practices, etc.
Vincent Intondi: Saving The World From Nuclear War
Sat. April 29 1-2:30 pm Barnes and Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd East. Dewitt, NY More Info
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. He 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. Event by Syracuse Peace Council
Open Arms, Closed Borders, And The Future Of America’s Immigration Myth
Monday, May 8 at 6:30pm – a virtual conversation. Register Here
With climate change, the global rise in xenophobia and nationalism, increasing economic disenfranchisement, and rampant disinformation that amplifies othering, America’s immigration system is crashing towards catastrophe. Moderated by WNYC’s Arun Venugopal, you will hear from panelists including Paola Mendoza, Dr. Tom Wong, and our own Executive Director Murad Awawdeh! New York Immigration Coalition