How are you feeling? Seriously, I would really like to know. Since Election Day, I have gone through at least two of the stages of grief and I’m pretty sure there will be more to come. If you’re sad, it’s ok, if you’re discouraged, that’s ok too, but don’t let these feelings be the end of things. This election will more than likely have huge repercussions for good people, and if we want to make sure that they’re ok, we need to be there for them. So go ahead, cry your eyes out, unpack your feelings and reflect, take a day off from work if you can. But when the tears have dried up and your arms are sore from hugging, come join us in the fight for justice. Tuesday was a big loss, but we’re not going anywhere, in fact, we’re going to work twice as hard to fight for underrepresented communities, working class families, people of color, the LGBTQ community and dreamers. So do what you need to do to get better and join us. Until that happens, here is what we have been and will be doing.
-Stanley
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Went Down Fighting. The presidential election wasn’t the only disappointment on Tuesday. After a valiant battle and selfless efforts from too many volunteers to count, our candidate of choice, Zephyr Teachout, was defeated by John Faso in the congressional election for the 19th District. Losing hurts, but everyone who participated or contributed to this campaign should be proud of the progress we made. New York is looking for a candidate of the people, one who will fight for campaign finance reform, fair wages for workers, and environmental justice. Our candidate didn’t win this time, but next time, it will be different.
Anti-Trump Protest. Less than 24 hours after Trump was elected into office, thousands of people took the streets in New York City to let Trump know that we will not stand for a leader that discriminates and uses hate speech. Our Hudson Valley Chapter organized something similar for their community, and the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. People hugged, cried, talked, and then marched. While Trump isn’t the candidate this country deserved, he is the one we have, and they wanted to hold him accountable from day one.
The Work Ahead. Barely 24 hours after Trump shocked the world by winning the presidential election, our habitually problematic politician, Governor Cuomo, was speaking to the media about the potential benefits for New York with Donald Trump as president. With the safety and stability of so many of our allies in real danger, we didn’t take too kindly to this and joined with our allies to release a statement to let him know how we felt. Click here to read the statement.
PODCAST
Thanks to everyone who listened to the Activist Check-in Podcast last week. If you missed it, don’t feel bad, its a Podcast so it exist forever, or until Soundcloud gets tired of us. last week I sat down with the absolutely wonderful, Jessica Wisneski to discuss the hot races in New York State and the Presidential election. Unfortunately, things didn’t end up working out the way we wanted it to, but it was still a great conversation. I mix things up by interviewing a couple of potential voters as well. You won’t believe what some people had to say about voting for Hillary. When that’s all said and done, you get to hear a conversation I had with an awesome activist by the name of Albert Saint-Jean. Albert is one of the organizers of a New York City campaign called Swipe It Forward. Click here to listen to the entire episode.
IN THE NEWS
Huffington Post. As the country tries to adjust to the idea of Donald Trump as our next president, elected leaders have begun to reach out in an effort to build some bipartisan good will. Senator Bernie Sanders was one of those people, but because he’s awesome, he also had a very stern warning for Trump. Click here to read the story.
EVENTS
November 18. The 13th Amendment is the foundation of what is known as “legal slavery” inside of the prison-industrial complex. Join Citizen Action’s New York City Chapter for a live screening of this groundbreaking documentary, followed by a panel discussion. Click here to RSVP.
December 13. The year is quickly coming to an end, but before it does, we will honor activists and leaders from across the state at our Annual Progressive Leadership Awards Gala. Join us to celebrate the work of this year’s honorees: Kate Linker (Greater NYC for Change), Linda Sarsour (Executive Director of Arab American Association of NY), Dennis Trainor (Vice President of CWA District one), the Hon. Jim Brennan (NYS Assemblymember) and Shaun King (Senior Justice Writer, NY Daily News). Click here for tickets.
TAKE ACTION!
As we move beyond this election, we will need to find ways to unite to defend our communities and our nation against hate.The months and years ahead will bring many challenging fights to protect our social safety net, basic democratic institutions and protect our neighbors and friends.Are you with us? Click here to stand with us.
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