Congratulations, this week you get two activist check-ins for the price of one. Ok, so maybe you don’t pay for this email, but if you did, I just saved you a bunch of money somehow. Can you believe it guys? It was a week ago today when I was building a sand bunker to prepare for a potential Trump presidency. Seven days later and I’m soaring on a high from watching the Democratic convention and the feeling of warm satisfaction you have after tricking our Program Assistant, Ariela Perez-Wallach into watching the Top That video from Teen Witch. Are you done watching the video? Ok great, let’s get to this week’s news.
-Stanley
We are a people-powered organization. Support us in the movement for justice!
Chilling at the DNC Cause We’re Cool. If you’re like me, you probably watched the Democratic National Convention from the comfort of your own home. Most people are totally fine with this setup, at least until Uncle Joe (Joe Biden) and B-Diddy (President Obama) come on stage to speak. That’s when you wish you could be there. Well, a few of our friends did get to go. This year, several Citizen Action members found their way to the DNC, some of them even made it on camera. Nadya Stevens was one of the lucky/awesome people who attended the Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Bernie Sanders. This should come as no surprise since Nadya has been tearing up the pavement all year, first as part of the Sanders campaign, and now as an official delegate. She’s in Philly holding our elected leaders accountable and participating in the democratic process. Maybe one day we’ll be at the DNC for her. Click here for Hillary’s full speech.
Hudson Valley Chapter Meeting. Back home after a weekend full of inspiration at Justice Works 2016, members at the Hudson Valley Chapter hosted a chapter meeting to capitalize on the energy and ideas generated from the social justice conference. Activists, community members, parents and people looking to enter the movement were there to find new ways to get engaged. Community Organizers Alex Deane and Callie Jayne provided information and resources to move the work forward. In the coming weeks, members can expect a training on runaway inequality, a Drink ‘n Think potluck, and community door knocking. Click here to RSVP for the Drink ‘n Think Potluck
Community Safe Space and Activism in Schenectady. On Thursday, July 28, the Capital District participated in a community discussion at the Schenectady Public Library. The goal of the meeting was to discuss the social issues that are occurring in our community and on a national scale. This event provided a much-needed environment for residents in Schenectady to discuss issues that are near and dear to their hearts while coming up with goals and actions to make a tangible difference. Click here for more from the event.
Endorsements
While the world will watch a human Cheeto torpedo his presidential campaign, we are plugged into our communities keeping a watchful eye on local elections. New York State deserves progressive leadership, and in an effort to support this, our chapters have been interviewing and endorsing candidates. The New York City Chapter has been very active in this and has so far endorsed three candidates running for New York State Assembly. Those candidates are, Paul Newell, Nantasha Williams, and Tremaine Wright. Click here if you would like to learn more about the endorsements.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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 ‘n Think Potluck on Friday, July 29 at 5:30pm at the Citizen Action office! Click here to RSVP.
IN THE NEWS
The Daily Freeman. After fighting for months to stop a gun range from being opened near local high school, the Hudson Valley Chapter scored a major victory when Kingston Mayor, Steve Noble, signed a new firearms law that restricts the location of shooting ranges in the city and sets requirements for their operation, effectively blocking a range proposed for a midtown building. 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.
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.