I need to be honest, I don’t know if I will be able to finish this email. I’m currently on Amtrak heading back to New York City, and the woman next to me is listening to Motley Crue’s greatest hits. There are two things that I love more than the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The first is anything that Journey has ever made, and the second is Motley Crue’s hit song, “Home Sweet Home.” You don’t know what happiness is until you have heard the guitar solo at the end of that song. It’s so good, I’m 48% sure that the State Assembly and Senate listen to it right before the end of session. Ok, they probably don’t. Either way, it’s a good tune to listen to while you catch up on the week’s activities. So turn up your volume, press play and let me give you the skinny on the week.
-Stanley
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We won’t stop Demanding Democracy. The New York City Chapter of Citizen Action started the week with a huge action in lower Manhattan – part of the statewide #DemandDemocracy Day of Action. Starting a few blocks away from Wall Street, Citizen Action members, along with Community Voices Heard, New York Communities for Change, and the Alliance for Quality Education led a march that went from Lincoln Square to the Board of Elections office. What were we marching for? We want a democracy where everyone is represented, not just the one percent. One of the best moments was when Citizen Action Organizer Darius Gordon led a mic-check near the steps of the Stock Exchange. Let’s just say that people were inspired. Click here for photos from the event.
Ending the School to Prison Pipeline. Metro Justice has been on fire recently. On Thursday evening, they held a rally outside the Rochester School Board meeting to demand a vote for a new school code of conduct. The new code of conduct – created through a robust process centered around parents and teachers – moves away from aggressive suspension practices that overwhelmingly impacted black and brown students. Click here for photos from the event.
Protecting Workers and the Economy. On June 15, Citizen Action members joined UAW to demand Honeywell put an end to corporate greed and pay their workers fair wages with good benefits. Honeywell CEO David Cote got $34.5 million in compensation last year. If one person can take $35 million, there is no reason they should be trying to raise the healthcare cost and cancel the pension of workers – other than to protect that profit. We stand with the 358 workers that CEO Cote decided to lock out from their jobs. Like the Verizon workers, it’s important that we stand with the brave men and women from Honeywell. Click here for more details.
JUSTICE WORKS
On July 23 and 24, hundreds of New Yorkers who fight for justice will join together. Regardless of the issues you work on or how you work on them: if you’re an organizer, a volunteer, a door knocker, blogger, policy wonk, all of these things or none of them – Justice Works is the conference for you. This year, the weekend will be broken up into three sections. Justice Works will take place on Saturday, July 23. On Sunday, we’ll host our first-ever Citizen Action Leadership Summit. It’s a great opportunity to talk with other Citizen Action leaders from around the state about the direction of our organization. While that’s happening, Justice Works attendees who aren’t members of Citizen Action will have the chance to participate in a series of workshops with the New York Civic Engagement Table. Click here to register for Justice Works.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On July 9, 2016, Join the Hudson Valley chapter at their headquarters to help make sure our community’s voice is represented in this election and build power in our community. Click here for more information.
JOB ALERT!
Citizen Action, PPEF and the New York Civic Engagement Table have a number of positions open across the state, including Organizer, Lead Organizer, and Regional Coordinator. Click here for more details.
Metro Justice is looking for a Fundraiser and Membership Director.
FROM THE BLOG
Citizen Action is part of a big coalition pushing for Lavern’s Law to pass this session. If a doctor or hospital makes an error while treating you, you should have the right to take legal action against them. Click here to read the post.
IN THE NEWS
News Channel 34. LOCAL DEMONSTRATORS CALL ON ALBANY TO PASS ETHICS REFORM
The Post Standard. NY ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL REQUIRING MINIMUM NURSE STAFFING IN HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES
Fox 40 Binghamton. CITIZEN ACTION RALLIES TO DEMAND DEMOCRACY!
TAKE ACTION!
Now is the time to continue building the movement to #DemandDemocracy right here in New York state. Tell Albany: Enough is enough! Add your name to #DemandDemocracy for all New Yorkers. Click here to add your name.
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