Micron Update from CNY Solidarity Coalition:
Some Coordinating Committee members and others attended two Micron events on August 1.
We were invited to participate, along with other local environmental and community groups, in a focus group forum on 8/1 at 10 AM. We and our allies asked several questions about environmental impacts. Few answers were given.
At 6 PM there was a public forum attended by 100+ people. After Micron did the same presentation as at the morning session, we were able to approach Micron representatives individually. Here were some questions we had:
- Micron says they will be using “100% renewable energy by 2025” in their operations worldwide. How do you reconcile this statement with the fact that you are planning to install a new high pressure Natural Gas line into the complex? (Natural Gas is not renewable energy.)
- With a 2 million square foot footprint Micron should produce as much energy as they can. Will Micron commit to covering their roof and parking lots in solar panels and/or wind turbines if applicable? The 1,400-acre Micron campus is an ideal site for rooftop and parking lot solar arrays that could generate up to 200 megawatts, or about a quarter of the energy the plant is expected to need. Will you commit to doing this?
- Are you planning to use ground source heat pumps to provide heating and cooling?
- Manufacturing concrete and steel emit huge amounts to of carbon. Will you commit to using as much renewable wood as possible, especially in the administrative buildings?
You may notice that there are no answers provided above – there are only questions.
We will be happy to print answers when we get them. There are many other questions: water use, of course, as well as a wide variety of other topics.
We are currently in conversation with other local groups to develop a collaborative process to pursue these and other questions.
More to come. Also see our Micron info page: https://www.cnysolidarity.org/micron/
ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:
On This Day, 6 August 1945, The US Dropped An Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima, slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians, despite many military and government officials believing it was unnecessary. Numerous senior US military officers confirmed that the bombing was not needed to defeat Japan, and indeed that Japan was attempting to surrender.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower explained: “Japan was at the moment seeking some way to surrender with minimum loss of ‘face’. It wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing.” Read more on https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/posts/pfbid06CqWkQFjvkdDgGdTT1DyG6YMERhD1wa2ExYvH19RShSKzgkLRVJFtWmnwu2sdMSSl
Project 2025 Is GOPers’ Blueprint For Destroying The Planet. It Must Be Stopped.
It sounds insane: In a summer of 110-degree heat waves and killer floods, GOPers draft a 2025 scheme to end all action on climate change.
While Trump’s 45th presidency was a disastrous pause button on climate action in the world’s largest economy, these proposed policies for a Trump 47th presidency, or a like-minded GOP POTUS, are a total rollback that go much, much deeper. Read it on the Philadelphia Inquirer
Henrietta Lacks’ Family Settles Lawsuit With A Biotech Company That Used Her Cells Without Consent
More than 70 years after doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took Henrietta Lacks’ cervical cells without her knowledge, a lawyer for her descendants said they have reached a settlement with a biotechnology company that they accused of reaping billions of dollars from a racist medical system. Read it on https://apnews.com
No Labels: Right-Wing Dark-Money Group Would Put MAGA Back in the White House
This third-party bid is not some fly-by-night operation trying to promote bipartisan progress. Cloaked in mystery, the group won’t disclose their donors and has yet to offer up a platform or agenda. What we do know: They are well funded by right-wing mega donors aligned with Donald Trump and serious about defeating Biden to advance a MAGA agenda. Read it on www.Moveon.org
The Drawdown Roadmap Is A Science-Based Strategy For Accelerating Climate Solutions.
It points to which climate actions governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations, and others should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change.
The good news is, we have what we need: a science-based set of technologies and practices that are currently available, financially viable, and able to scale, and have been calculated to be able to together stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Find it Here
Disruptive Protest Helps Rather Than Hinders Activists’ Cause, Experts Say
Results contradict public view that disrupting events such as Wimbledon and Pride achieves nothing
Read it in https://www.theguardian.com/
ACTION ALERTS
See our Contact Your Representatives page for contact info.
From ACLU: PROTECT TRANS CARE NOW
The attacks on the freedom and dignity of trans people and their families continue to escalate, with one-third of the country that has passed laws that criminalize and ban access to gender-affirming care. The next stage of the fight for basic LGBTQ freedoms is here, and it affects everyone — even in states that haven’t seen any anti-trans attacks.
Legislation has already been introduced by the most extreme anti-LGBTQ Members of Congress, led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, that would criminalize the health care trans people need. While such a law is beyond the pale, it won’t be the last. Any national ban on gender-affirming care would be devastating. You and your elected Members of Congress are our last line of defense against this national threat.
Send your message loud and clear: Tell your Members of Congress to protect trans people from discrimination.
Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders (NTL)
In the fall of 2014, The Gifford Foundation partnered with The Central New York Community Foundation, Leadership Greater Syracuse, the Human Services Leadership Council, and City of Syracuse residents to develop an initiative called Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders which focuses on leadership development through board service.
The goal is to:
- Increase inclusiveness and diversity on non-profit boards;
- Increase and enhance the pool of effective board members and new leaders;
- Educate and inspire those who participate;
- Provide quality training to individuals in the community.
Information and application (due August 11)
Job Opening: Community Organizer
Unchained (https://www.weareunchained.org) is a Syracuse-based non-profit that organizes and advocates to dismantle the carceral state and guarantee access to dynamic and culturally relevant education. We invest in people locked up by police and locked out of schools to build power and chart a path toward liberation by making racial and economic justice a reality. Unchained leads local and statewide campaigns to decarcerate jails and prisons and improve conditions for people left behind in them. Apply by August 15, 2023
NY Renews Is Hiring For Our 2023-2024 Organizing Fellowships!
Three part-time remote positions from fall 2023 to summer 2024. Fellows will organize alongside staff and coalition members to help win a just, clean-energy future for New York State. Applications due Fri., Sept 8th by 5 pm.
- Coalition Organizing Fellow focuses on organizing coalition members, project management, and coalition operations
- Digital Organizing Fellow assists in running our online organizing platforms including Action Network, New/Mode, and the peer-to-peer text platform Spoke, among others
- Social Media Fellow will help manage social media, digital ads (Meta and Twitter), graphics, and online video (Reels/TikTok)
Donate to World Central Kitchen – Help us provide fresh meals to communities in need
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a large-scale attack on neighboring Ukraine, invading the country on several fronts. As a result, millions of families have fled their homes in search of safety. WCK initially set up meal distribution sites at border crossings for people fleeing. We then quickly expanded to serve fresh meals prepared by local restaurants across Ukraine.
Now, WCK teams are focused on getting both fresh meals and food kits that can sustain families for several days to the most vulnerable residents in the eastern part of the country. We are reaching recently liberated cities as well as getting meals to people displaced by the attacks.
Since our founding, WCK has provided hundreds of millions of fresh, nourishing meals for communities in need around the world. Your donation today will be used to support our emergency food relief efforts.
EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR
Nagasaki Day Procession
Wednesday, August 9, 4:30 PM
Syracuse Center for Peace and Justice (SCPJ) – 2013 East Genesee Street
Join the Syracuse Peace Council and Veterans for Peace- Syracuse Chapter to remember, reflect, and create hope for peace on the 78th Anniversary of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan.
4:30 P.M. Meet at the Syracuse Center for Peace and Justice (SCPJ) (2013 East Genesee Street).
5:00: Procession Begins at the Erie Blvd Pedestrian Bike Path
6:00: Meet back at SCPJ for Conversation and Refreshments
Contact Syracuse Peace Council 472-5478 or visit SPC’s Facebook Page for details.
The Conversation Continues: It Takes A Village w/Supt. Davis
BBQ Begins @ 11:00am & Community Conversation @ 12pm
Join us for a BBQ & Community Conversation with Syracuse City Schools Superintendent Davis at one of our city parks this summer! Community Agencies in attendance, activities for families and fresh fruit and veggies!
Thursday, August 10th @ Westmoreland Park (Community Center)
August 17th @ Wilson Park
NYS Department of Transportation Open House
Aug. 10 6 to 8 p.m. – North Syracuse Junior High School, 5353 W. Taft Road, North Syracuse.
Topic: Construction starting at the northern interchange of Interstates 81 and 481.
Community Recycling with OCRRA
Thursday, August 10, 2023, 6:30 PM Petit Branch Library – Onondaga County Public Libraries
Maria from OCRRA will cover everything you need to know about recycling in Onondaga County: what materials you can and cannot recycle, and what to do with special materials that need to be recycled a specific way.
Day/ Jobs Fair by Turning Point Transitions Inc.
Saturday, August 12,2023 2:00 PM -6:00 PM. 3100 E. Genesee St Syracuse Ny, 13210(Nottingham High School)
Contact us at (315)378-8932 or Transitonsinc2022@gmail.com Web: http://turningpointtranstionsinc.com
We will bring together employers, service providers, and community members for a day filled with opportunities, excitement, and meaningful connections. By joining our job fair and sharing information about your business or services, you’ll have the chance to make a direct impact on the lives of those in our community who need it most.
We will provide a dedicated space for you to showcase your company, promote job openings, and engage with potential candidates. This is an exceptional opportunity to connect with motivated individuals actively seeking employment or seeking support services/educational opportunities.
To learn more about this event and reserve your spot at this event, please click this link
Together, let’s make a difference in the lives of our community members and create a stronger, more inclusive Onondaga County.
Save the Dates
NY22 Congressional Forum
Thursday, August 17th, 6-8pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm for socializing.
Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Ave, Utica.
This event is for registered Democrats and WFP members only. Co-sponsored by Indivisible Mohawk Valley, Citizen Action CNY, NAACP Utica & Oneida County, Oneida County Democratic Committee, Working Families Party, and Oneida County Democratic Women’s Club.
All three Democratic candidates for NY22 have confirmed they will participate. Come hear all of them together on why we need to beat Brandon Williams at the ballot box in 2024 and how they plan to be the candidate to help us flip NY22 and take back the House. Our goal is to have at least 200 people in the audience, so please register to join us for this event that is going to channel energy from the NY22 Summit forward.
Please email indivisiblemohawkvalley@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you and your registered Dem/WFP friends¡Register for the NY22 Congressional Forum
Black August: Freedom Fest 2023
Saturday, August 19, 2023 – 5 Pm – 11 PM – Everson Museum of Art Plaza
Black Artist Collective(BAC), in collaboration with Urban Video Project, commemorate Black August at the 3rd Annual Freedom Fest. The Fest will feature a market from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with creatives, small businesses, non-profits and food trucks Elbita’s Cocina, Yum Yum Shack and The Crab Ladies. From 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the community is invited to a FREE outdoor screening of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” by renowned filmmaker Ryan Coogler.
I-81 Rally
August 22, 2023. 12:00 PM: State Office Bldg. 333 East Washington St. Syr, NY 13202
Join the NYCLU and community partners as we fight for an affordable 15th Ward. By passing ReZone, Syracuse City officials have shown that they prioritize developers over Black Syracuse residents. We won’t stand for that. Rally with us to demand that the New York State DOT steps in so history doesn’t repeat itself. The state must return the land around the viaduct to the 15th Ward community to establish a Community Land Trust and build affordable housing and help Black Syracuse residents stay in their community.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
August 23, 6-8pm ET
EPA and its partners are seeking public input on the plan. EPA will provide a quick overview of the GLRI and the purpose of the Action Plan, and then give public participants an opportunity to directly interact with EPA staff and ask questions and provide comments. Info & Registration: https://tinyurl.com/mr4xhkun
CNY Fair Housing Presents: Run The Redline
Sunday, September 17, 2023 Everson Plaza, 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse
$30/participant. Information/Registration: https://www.cnyfairhousing.org/runtheredline
Run the Redline is a 5k Run and 3k Roll/Stroll educational event that traces a portion of the infamous ‘redline’ that helped segregate Syracuse. Run the Redline to experience the physical spaces shaped by these federal policies.
Register Today! For the 6th annual ArtRageous Bike Ride!
Sunday, October 1, 2023
https://www.facebook.com/events/1476546956445313
Choose either the 20 or 40 mile ride and enjoy a homemade lunch back at ArtRage after the ride.
Lunch will include gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Early registration is $45 ($55 after September 26th).
Youth under 18 years of age, accompanied by an adult -$10
The 40 mile ride leaves ArtRage at 9:30am. The 20 mile ride leaves ArtRage at 10:30am.
Westcott St. Cultural Fair. Sun., Oct 1
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival 2023 – Sunday, October 8, 2023, 3 Pm – 8 Pm. Everson Museum
Abolitionist Freedom Walk ’23 Sat., Oct. 21. Canastota Canal Museum. Information/Registration.
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: June 27
Ongoing Events
SYRACUSE STREET HEAT
Syracuse Street Heat is just one, very unencumbered way to work for peace and social justice. We’re part of a decades-long grassroots tradition here, in Ithaca and elsewhere. We stand out and stand up for what we stand for. A handful of us stand at busy intersections, for 45 minutes at rush hour, pivoting to the traffic with hand-held signs. We want to get the public thinking about issues often underrepresented in the media. We’re there weekly in almost all of Syracuse’s weather (we seldom cancel). Bring your own sign – or use one of ours. No meetings or committees, so participation time is minimal (yay!) Our Team: Ann, Dick, Ed, Geoff, Jim, Julienne, Les, Leslie, Peter…. To learn more, call Ann: (315) 478 4571.
1ST AND 3RD TUESDAYS: 4 PM to 4:45 PM at Hancock’s main gate.
EVERY FRIDAY: 4 to 4:45 p.m. – JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE
West sidewalk of the broad intersection of Erie Blvd East & East Genesee St., DeWitt (across from the Fire Dept.) For years our focus has been on solidarity with the people of Palestine.
EVERY SATURDAY: 9 to 9:45 a.m. – RACISM, ANTI-WAR, ANTI-NUKE, etc. Across from Regional Market, 2100 Park St.at offramp from Liverpool/Park St exit of 81 N.
cnysolidarity.org
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https://twitter.com/cnysolidarity
| Click here to sign up to receive this newsletter in your email. Donate to the CNY Solidarity Coalition CNY Solidarity Coalition contributes regularly to local progressive organizations: Syracuse Peace Council, National Action Network, & Urban Jobs Coalition. We also make occasional donations as needed to other local groups. We depend on your donations for this. Donate Online through PayPal Mail donations to: CNY Solidarity Coalition P.O. Box 6137, Teall Post Office, 226 Teall Ave., Syracuse NY 13217 Our Committees To sign up for each of the committee mailing lists, contact the person listed. Indivisible Onondaga County: 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 |
Peter McCarthy
Coordinating Committee
CNY Solidarity Coalition