Welcome to another week of the Activist Check-in. Your space to get all of the latest news on the awesome work we’re doing across New York State. Three weeks in and I still can’t believe how much gets accomplished here on a daily basis. Whether it’s fighting for a $15 minimum wage or phone banking for Bernie Sanders, we are shaking New York up in a way that has never been done before. You can read all about it below.
We are a people powered organization. Support us in the movement for justice!
Verizon Workers Stand Up for Fairness. Last week I told you about the Verizon workers’ strike against corporate greed. It takes a lot of guts to stand up to the establishment the way these brave women and men are doing. After working 8 months without a new contract, 39,000 workers walked out to send a message to the CEO of Verizon: every single employee, deserves a job that boosts the economy and strengthens our communities. They need our support and every little bit of help counts. Click here to find an action near you.
Bernie Represents Our Power. Tuesday’s primary election was a combination of disappointment and triumph. Despite a huge effort from the Sanders campaign and Berners everywhere, Hillary Clinton won the primary. While I’m bummed out that Bernie lost, I’m walking away feeling very excited about our political future and super proud of the Citizen Action team. Specifically, I want to shout out, Callie Jayne (Hudson Valley Organizer), Emiljana Ulaj (Citizen Action NYC Board Member), Mary Clark (Regional Director of the Southern Tier), and Nadya Stevens (Citizen Action NYC Board Member) for their volunteer efforts on the Sanders campaign.
Flipping the New York State Senate! Ok, now for the really good news. In the Long Island special election to fill the vacancy for Dean Skelos’ seat, Democrat and Working Families Party candidate Todd Kaminsky won an extremely tight race for the seat. His victory once again proves that every vote counts. But no progressive action happens on Long Island without the Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC). On Saturday, April 16, LIPC, along with the New York City chapter of Citizen Action, supported the Kaminsky campaign with a day full of door knocking and phone banking. I’m about 84.9 percent sure that our door knocking is what pushed his campaign to the victory line. Click here for tweets from LIPC.
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, April 23 our Hudson Valley chapter will be having an open house in our new headquarters. If you’re in that chapter, or have friends who live in the neighborhood, stop by and check out the new digs, and maybe get a photo with Zephyr Teachout. Join us if you can.
From the Blog
Come on guys, today is Earth day, there is no way I was going to go through this entire email and not bring it up at all. This is the only earth we have and it is important that we take care of it, and support organizations that are fighting to keep it healthy. If you’re looking for ways to get involved in the movement for climate and environmental justice, look no further than my blog: Four Environmental Organizations to Look Out For.
In the News
Time Warner Cable News (Hudson Valley). Bernie Sanders Supporters Go Door to Door
The Buffalo News. Mobilizing to remedy the Raw Deal
Take Action!
There are just four days left to stop one of the biggest natural gas projects proposed in New York since we banned fracking two years ago. Tell Governor Cuomo to reject the Constitution Pipeline’s permit and get New York on a path to 100% renewable energy! Click here to take action!
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