Good afternoon, friends and family, and welcome to a special edition of the Activist Check-In. Because of Justice Works, this week’s edition comes to you a little later than usual, but I promise it’s definitely worth the wait. After spending most of the previous week hate watching the Republican National Convention and then trying to book a flight to Canada in an effort to escape Trump’s “Law and Order” plan, my hope and optimism for the world has been restored by the amazing speakers, activists, conversations and experiences at Justice Works 2016. In this week’s check-in, I would like to give you the highlights.
-Stanley
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Building the World that We Want to See. Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention was possibly the scariest political speech that I have ever witnessed. It was also one of the most effective. It spurred the hopes of xenophobes, homophobes, racist, hedge funders and the super wealthy. And the rest of us? We were given a glimpse into what this country could fall back to if we ever stop fighting. It was this energy that drove much of the conversations at Justice Works. We weren’t necessarily discussing Trump or the Republican Party. But everyone in attendance was determined to share knowledge, challenge norms and find their space in the ever-growing movement. Click here to see the twitter story from the weekend.
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and the Power of Truth. Justice Works was successful for many reasons, but what will probably be the most memorable moment was when Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor came on stage and proceeded to electrify the crowd with her thoughts on the current state of the movement, the failure of our elected leaders, and what it’s going to take for us to be free. Keeanga’s remarks were a clear-eyed analysis of what we are up against, powerful in a way that gets the blood boiling, yet filled with a hopefulness that we will need to finally be free. Wasn’t able to make it this weekend? Click here to see the speech!
Learning About Tipped Workers. Another highlight from the weekend came on Saturday night, when Saru Jayaraman, the Co-Founder/Director of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) gave an eye-opening speech on the need to end the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers. She left the room in shock when she unpacked the history of tipped wage work, connecting it to slavery and racial discrimination in Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. She pushed for action on behalf of workers who are in an industry that “has gotten away with saying working people should pay other working people’s wages we don’t have to pay them.” She could have dropped the mic and walked off stage right then and there, but she wasn’t done. Click here for the twitter reactions to her speech.
Citizen Action of New York Leadership Summit. On the last day of Justice Works, almost 200 members of Citizen Action of New York got together to discuss our role in the movement and strategize on issues, election campaigns, and next steps. We also had elections for the statewide board. In total, nine amazing, dedicated leaders ran for five seats. The winners and our new at-large state board representatives are: Jim Anderson, John Furman, Larry Parham, Lydia Rodriguez, and Imogene Simmons-Kelly. Click here from more photos from the leadership summit.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join the Hudson Valley Chapter on July 27 for their monthly chapter meeting. Click here to RSVP.
In these soul-draining times, we have two great needs: to celebrate each other, and to organize. Join the Hudson Valley Chapter at their Drink and Think Potluck on Friday, July 29 at 5:30pm at the Citizen Action office! Click here to RSVP.
IN THE NEWS
Time Warner Cable News. Time Warner Cable News caught up with members of the Hudson Valley Chapter and talked to them about their work on the National Doorstep Convention. Click here for the full story.
TAKE ACTION!
Our communities should be welcoming and safe for all people, including transgender people. Ulster County can lead New York State in rejecting hate and intolerance, showing that all are welcome in our community. Click here to help put an end to gender discrimination.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is working right now to rewrite the rules that payday lenders operate under. Send a message now to the CFPB and ask them to close the loopholes that allow lenders to prey on families who can least afford it. Click here to take action.
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