Good evening beautiful people, and welcome back to another heart-pumping episode of the Activist Check-In. As always, I’m here to give you all of the updates from this week’s activities, and if there is time, I’ll sneak in a pop culture reference. So while you casually read through this message, and laugh out loud at my and Darius’s encounter with a Trump supporter, I’ll be at home trying to build an air conditioner out of a box fan and struggle tears.
-Stanley
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Trump Supporters Are Very Strange. On June 21, New York City Chapter members joined with New York Communities for Change and other concerned New Yorkers at the Trump Towers to let the Republican candidate for President know that we would not stand for racism, islamophobia or any other hate speech. The event was filled with awesome chants and even cooler signs and posters. But New York is one of the most diverse places in the world, and in New York City, you’re bound to run into all kinds of people, even Trump supporters. But wait, friends, this wasn’t just any run of the mill Trump supporter. This was the master. She’s the person you face after you defeat Sarah Palin and make it to the final level. It was an epic moment that I’m sorry you missed. Click here for a picture of the ultimate Trump Supporter.
The Fight for Campaign Finance Reform Continues. Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature may have packed up and left the Capitol, but the Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC) refused to let them go silently into the night. That’s why on June 21, residents of Patchogue joined LIPC organizer, Olivia Santoro, at a Suffolk County hearing to demand action from their legislature on real campaign finance reform. A special shout out goes to Suffolk County Legislator, Rob Calarco, who has been leading this fight in Long Island. Click here for more photos and tweets from the event.
Our Schools Need Proper Funding. On June 20, the Buffalo, Albany and Hudson Valley Chapters and the Alliance for Quality Education released a report that detailed just how poorly funded high-need schools in New York state continue to be. According to the report, 81 percent of high-need schools are off-track to receive full CFE funding. It’s extremely disheartening to know that the state continues to shortchange our students. But as shown in the events, which took place throughout the state, we keep fighting until every child is able to attend schools with enough resources to provide them a quality education. Click here for more information on the report’s release.
The People’s Summit in Chicago. During the weekend of June 17, members and organizers from Citizen Action traveled to Chicago to participate in the 2016 People’s Summit. The goal of the summit was to bring together activists committed to a different kind of agenda, a people’s agenda. Participants were able to meet other activists, connect with former staffers from the Sanders campaign, and find new ways to plug into the movement. If you missed the summit, have no fear. Justice Works 2016 is right around the corner and will give you the opportunity to connect with leaders from all across the state. Movement building never ends, and on July 23-24 we’ll be providing the space for movement builders, leaders, and activist to connect. Click here for tweets from the event.
JUSTICE WORKS
Great news guys! Justice Works 2016 has a keynote speaker, and she’s AWESOME! Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor is the author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, published by Haymarket Books in January 2016. Dr. Cornel West said, “this brilliant book is the best analysis we have of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the long struggle for freedom in America.” You can see Keeanga, and hear what she has to say on July 23. Click here to register for Justice Works.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join the Hudson Valley Chapter at City Hall in Kingston on July 27 for their monthly chapter meeting. Click here to RSVP.
Justice Works is right around the corner, I’ll give you all of the details in that week’s Activist Check-In, but it will be a lot more fun if you’re there in person. Click here to register.
Activist Check-In Podcast
The Activist Check-In Podcast is back and it’s better than ever! For this month’s episode, I interview Southern Tier Organizer Isaac Silberman-Gorn. We talk about everything from the chapter’s racial justice workshops to whether Batman would be a Libertarian or progressive Democrat. Listen to the episode and let us know what side of the political spectrum you think Batman falls on.
IN THE NEWS
Mid-Hudson News. High-need school districts shortchanged, AQE says
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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