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Upcoming Protests, Meetings and Campaigns

Upcoming CNY Solidarity & IOC Meeting: January 11th at 2:00pm

Organization Spotlight 

A core intention of CNY Solidarity Coalition is to bring together and support organizations already out there helping directly affected communities in the Central New York area. Each week we’ll spotlight one of the over 100 organizations in our Directory; there’s a LOT going on!

Syracuse Cultural Workers

Founded in 1982, SCW is a progressive publisher committed to peace, sustainability, social justice, feminism and multiculturalism. We create and publish visual materials, like calendars, posters, T-shirts, cards and postcards, and distribute them across North America. We also distribute selected products, such as books and flags to complement our own offerings.

Learn more about Syracuse Cultural Workers

Visit their store or order online for your holiday shopping

Find other Organizations in our Directory

Micron Air & Water Permits – Submit Public Comments; Attend Hearings

NYSDEC has one more public comment period, which closes in December. This is for the Onondaga County Oak Orchard water permits, including the discharge of the expanded wastewater plant (SPDES) as well as the wetland disturbances, which closes on Dec. 23 and includes virtual public comment hearings on December 16 & 17. 

A template has been developed that contains information about how to comment and some suggested talking points.

More Information

Access Public Comment Template

Defend New York’s Climate Laws

Here are several actions you can take to defend and improve our state’s climate:

• Urgent: Gov. Hochul has until Friday to sign the 100-Foot Rule Repeal (A8888). Last week, AGREE and the Renewable Heat Now Campaign got exciting news that the 100-foot rule repeal bill we’ve been fighting for was called up by Governor Hochul. That means she only has three more days to sign it or veto. We’re almost there – but we cannot stop fighting! We’re feeling cautiously optimistic about this. Keep all those fingers and toes crossed and give Governor Hochul a call today!

• Sample phone script for your call to Governor Hochul at 518-474-8390 (dial 1 right away to leave a voicemail):”Hello, I’m _____ and my zip code is _____. In June, the legislature passed A.8888/S.8417, a bill that repeals the 100-foot rule. I’m calling to ask Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law before the end of the year. New Yorkers shouldn’t be charged for gas pipes we don’t need! I’m asking the Governor to deliver on her promise to save us money and hold the utilities accountable! Thanks!”
  

Contact Governor Hochul: Sign the RAISE Act

AI systems are being developed faster than our laws can catch up. The Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act ensures that companies building the most powerful AI systems, with budgets in the hundreds of millions, must follow common-sense safety standards to guard against catastrophic risks.

The Act has passed the NY State Assembly and Senate, and just needs Governor Hochul’s signature to become law.

Take Action Now!

Tell Congress to reject the SPEED Act

The House of Representatives is considering the SPEED Act, a bill that weakens environmental review but fails to address the real barriers to clean energy or securing America’s energy future. That’s a recipe for more delays, higher energy costs, and more dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure in our backyards–while clean energy stays stuck in line.

Cutting corners on environmental review doesn’t deliver faster projects–it creates legal uncertainty and delays. The SPEED Act weakens NEPA in ways that make clean energy harder, not easier, to build.

Sign Petition Here

Economic Power – Shop at Locally Owned Businesses

Where we choose to spend our money is one of our greatest collective strengths. Every purchase we make is an opportunity to support companies and products that align with our values and progressive ideals for human rights, labor rights, social justice, and environmental protection. 

Here are a few sources of locally owned businesses to support:

https://centralcurrent.org/heres-where-you-can-shop-locally-in-syracuse-for-the-holidays/

https://www.oswegocountynewsnow.com/oswego_county_marketplace/

https://www.buymadisoncountyny.com/

Alliance for a Green Economy – Job Posting

Alliance for a Green Economy is a nonprofit headquartered in Syracuse working for safe, affordable energy and the development of a renewable, green economy in New York State. AGREE is in search of a Communications Director (mostly remote from anywhere in New York State with some in-person requirements for events and press conferences) to help promote this transition to a carbon-free and nuclear-free future and educate the public about alternatives to revitalize the economy and safeguard human health and the environment. Please see the job description for tentative start date, salary, and job duties:

Job Description

Letters to the Editor

CNY Solidarity Coalition encourages letters to the editor regarding issues affecting us locally and nationwide. We also recommend that letters are written in response to recent articles or other letters; these are more likely to get published. Links to these articles will be included each week.

If you’re looking for a subject to write about, here are this week’s suggestions:

• Targeting teachers, librarians to control what kids read is ‘a dangerous, slippery slope’

Guidelines for writing Letters to the Editor, with a link to previously submitted letters, can be found here.

Immigration activists mobilize as ICE presence grows in Syracuse

Gov. Kathy Hochul again spikes bill meant to reform nonprofit contracting with the state

It’s the media’s job to hold power to account. This year, too many got into bed with it instead

In Her New Media Ascent, Erika Kirk Whitewashes Her Husband’s Legacy 

The Republicans’ Endangered Health

The Housing Crisis Is A Democracy Crisis

“Know Your Rights” virtual training

Wednesday, December 17, 6:30-8pm

Zoom Event Sponsored by Syracuse Immigrant & Refugee Defense Network

What do you know about your rights?  What do you know about immigrants’ rights?                                                                                                                                        

This training goes over the basics you need to know. It will help you both, in your advocacy work with immigrants AND in your understanding of the flagrant violation of rights we are seeing over and over again. 

This training is  *required* for participation in SIRDN’s ICE Watch, Rapid Response, and Hotline Teams 

Register

OCDC Candidate Information Session

Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30pm

OCDC, 615 W Genesee St, Syracuse

Learn about the Onondaga County Democratic Committee’s designation process, how to get on the ballot, and the first steps in creating a campaign committee! We will also give an overview of the calendar for the year, what candidates will need to be doing when, and our overall strategy for getting Democrats out to vote.

For more information on the designation, please visit ocdemocrats.com/designation.

Renewable Heat Now Power Hour

Thursday, December 18th, 7-8pm

Zoom Event Sponsored by Renewable Heat Now

On Thursday we had a powerful day of advocacy and learning with more than 150 advocates from across New York in attendance.Join Renewable Heat Now on Thursday at 7-8PM for our December Power Hour, our monthly grassroots meeting where we’ll recap the day and talk more about our plans for 2026.

Register 

FOCUS Forum – New York State Master Plan for Aging: A Blueprint for Communities

Friday, December 19, 12-1pm

Zoom Event

This virtual forum will present the findings and recommendations of the NYS Master Plan for Aging for achieving the goal of “ensuring that older New Yorkers and New Yorkers with disabilities can live fulfilling lives in good health, with freedom, dignity and independence to age in place for as long as possible.” The plan is based on an extensive engagement process involving government and community stakeholders statewide and a system-wide assessment of current services, which led to the development of solutions and priorities for improvement.

Register

January Banned Book Club: The Mermaid, The Witch, & The Sea

Wednesday, January 14 2026, 7:30-8:30 pm

Red, Wine & Blue Zoom event

Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall will join RWB to discuss her award-winning novel, The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea. This is a fantasy novel about a pirate named Flora (disguised as Florian) and a highborn lady, Evelyn, who fall in love aboard a ship where the crew plans to sell the passengers into slavery.  The story explores themes of colonialism, gender identity, and survival. The book has been challenged (and in some cases removed) from school and library collections primarily because it contains graphic violence, sexual themes, and LGBTQ+ content.

Register

EnergySmart CNY Volunteer Orientation

Thursday, January 15, 6pm

2013 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13210

This session will introduce the program, outline upcoming volunteer opportunities, and help new participants get connected. Anyone interested in joining can sign up by contacting our volunteer coordinator, Alex, at ditullio@agreeny.org, or by using the visiting the sign-up form.

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 or Ed: (315) 478 4571.      

Winter Schedule

Year round: Every  Friday afternoon. 4   to 4:45 pm, unless the temperature is below 20 degrees:  justice for Palestine; no more U.S.  funding Israeli genocide;  U.S.: stop terrorizing  families in Gaza; and so on.

West sidewalk of the intersection of Erie Blvd. East Genesee St, Dewitt (across from the Fire Dept.)

upstatedroneaction.com                          spc@peacecouncil.Net

Addtional dates and locations will resume after April 1, 2026.

Watch past meetings about Micron, Good Jobs Town Hall, Rallies and more on our YouTube Channel.

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. Please note donations are not tax deductible.

Donate Online Here

Mail donations to:

CNY Solidarity Coalition

P.O. Box 6137, Teall Post Office, 226 Teall Ave., Syracuse NY 13217

Sign up for one of Our Committees

Elaine Denton

Peter McCarthy

Coordinating Committee

CNY Solidarity Coalition