Happy Friday and welcome back to the Activist Check-in. The last week of April has been one for the record books. In the few days since we last talked, I have had to cope with the passing of Prince, watch Trump more or less wrap up the Republican nomination for President and jump right into formation for Beyonce’s latest album release, Lemonade (click here for the full album). In between listening to Purple Rain on repeat and wiping away the water from my “eye allergies,” here is what we’ve been up to at Citizen Action this week.
-Stanley
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We Endorse Zephyr! Electing progressive candidates to Congress, the Assembly and State Senate is a key part of this year’s political revolution. There is no better example of a progressive candidate than Zephyr Teachout. She has been a long time partner in our fight for publicly funded elections, full funding for public education and many other issues. That’s why during the Hudson Valley Chapter’s open house this past Saturday, we announced our endorsement of her candidacy in New York’s 19th congressional district. Go here for more highlights from that day.
Fighting Runaway Inequality on Long Island. The Long Island Progressive Coalition has been coordinating the Long Island Progressive Network – a group of progressive groups to work together on message, strategy and tactics. This past Tuesday night, we brought our Reversing Runaway Inequality workshop to Westbury. Long Island is one of the richest and poorest places in New York. There’s a big gap between the rich and poor. The Reversing Runaway Inequality workshop brought together 35 organizational leaders to get on the same page about how the super wealthy have tipped the scales, and how a massive movement has the power to eliminate this mass concentration of wealth and bring economic power back to the people. Click here and here for photos from the event.
Community Schools Work. On Tuesday night, our Capital District Chapter hosted a community meeting to work with parents on creating community schools in Albany. Community schools are transformative – with a strong input process, these schools can truly serve the whole community. Click here for some highlights on the event from AQE’s twitter.
Fighting for the Right to Know. Last Friday, the New York City chapter joined hundreds of activist at City Hall to demand passage of the Right to Know Act. It would require that police identify themselves and give out business cards during stops. They would also need to seek consent for searches when there wasn’t any probable cause. As someone who has had several negative encounters with the police, I cannot stress to you how important this bill is. I have been stopped and searched while heading to church, sitting on my own property, and one time, I was flagged down by an officer while I was riding my bike. While most police officers are good people, there needs to be more transparency and accountability for the ones who get a kick out of being bad at their job. Click here for some awesome videos and images from the event.
Restoring America’s Promise. On Thursday, 40 key leaders from community groups, unions and policy organizations gathered in Albany to discuss plans to impact federal level policy, like a fair federal budget and taxes, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and creating economy-boosting jobs. Led by Mary Clark and Mark Hannay, the Restore the American Promise coalition has been holding New York’s members of Congress accountable on the issues that really matter to our communities.
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, April 30, the Long Island Progressive Coalition will be having a budget briefing brunch. At the event, you can learn about the victories we won during the 2016 budget season and what’s to come next. Join us if you can.
On Wednesday, May 4, join the Hedge Clippers at Lincoln Center Plaza to tell hedge fund billionaires that investing in fossil fuels causes cancer. Click here to join us if you’re free.
Job Alert!
Metro Justice is looking for a Fundraiser and Membership Director.
From the Blog
So technically, this isn’t a blog. But it’s still pretty awesome. Ever heard of the hashtag #OptOutSoWhite? Well yeah, it’s a thing. Legitimate? No. But it’s a thing. Jasmine Gripper from the Alliance for Quality Education was on Capital Tonight and she gave an awesome takedown of the astro-turf based “hashtag.” Click here to watch the video.
In the News
WETM 18. New York DEC Blocks the Constitution Pipeline
Time Warner Cable News. Support for Community Schools.
Take Action!
Global Partners, a crude oil supply company, wants to expand its operations in New York by building an oil heater in the Port of Albany. Send Governor Cuomo a message now. Tell him to stop Global Partners from bringing tar sands oil to New York! Click here to take action.
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