Good morning friends and family… Or is it? Don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked as always to be talking to you, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sending this email with a heavy heart. During this week, the number of people killed by the police raised to 559 as two black men had their lives cut short by “officers of the law.” I don’t think any of us started this week expecting to learn a new hashtag because of a senseless death. But here we are. If you’re like me, you might still be a little raw from everything that took place this week, others might be numb. No matter how you’re feeling, never forget that this isn’t the world we have to live in. We have the power to build a better world. I promise to do my part and I already know you will too. Below are a few examples of how we’ve been creating the world we would like to see.
-Stanley
We are a people-powered organization. Support us in the movement for justice!
Fighting For Justice. On Thursday, July 8, thousands of New Yorkers, including board members and staff from New York City, Metro Justice, Hudson Valley and Capital District gathered for a peaceful protests and to mourn the death of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. The vigils were filled with chants of “Black Lives Matter,” words of encouragement and tears. When the world seems like it’s spinning out of control, moments like these remind us that love can conquer all. And if you believe in love, it is imperative that you stand as an ally to the millions of disenfranchised black and brown boys and girls who wonder if they may some day become a hashtag. We have to stand up to this idea that state-sanctioned violence against black and brown bodies is somehow ok. Being pro-black doesn’t make you anti-cop, it makes you someone who is committed to justice. Click here for photos from these actions.
Fighting for 100% Renewable Energy. On July 6, the Long Island Progressive Coalition hosted an event for members to make flyers and artwork in preparation for the Clean Energy March taking place at the Democratic National Convention. On that day, thousands of activists will march for action to prevent climate catastrophe and present a list of demands that include, a full ban on fracking, keeping fossil fuels in the ground, stopping dirty energy, and a just transition to 100% renewable energy. Click here for more information on the march.
JUSTICE WORKS
Times like this remind us of why it’s so important to be invested and prepared to build and sustain movements. But if you’re still a little lost, or are looking for ways to be an asset and an ally, come to Justice Works and find your space in the movement. Taking place on July 23 and 24, 2016, 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. It’s a great opportunity to talk with other Citizen Action leaders from around the state about the direction of our organization. Click here to register for Justice Works.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join the Hudson Valley Chapter 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
Activist Check-In Podcast The Activist Check-In Podcast is back and it’s better than ever! For this week’s episode, I interview one of the newest members of the Citizen Action Family, Jamaica Miles – our new Capital District Organizer. Jamaica, besides possibly being wonder woman, has a lot of plans for the Capital District and has some very particular feelings about Batman and Prince. I could tell you what she said, but where would the fun in that be? To meet Jamaica, and learn more about her, you’re just going to have to tune in. Click here to get your formal introduction to Jamaica.
IN THE NEWS
Politico- House oversight committee seeks Cuomo documents on Hoosick Falls
TAKE ACTION!
Stand up for justice, join with ColorOfChange to demand that the US Department of Justice charge the officers who killed Alton Sterling. Click here to sign on now.
Want daily updates and live footage of our events and actions? We can make that happen (I know a guy). Click here to follow us on Twitter and get real-time updates. If you’re looking for cool articles, memes, and a little conversation, like our Facebook page here.