Listen, I’m a bit disappointed, Christmas is less than a month away, and so far none of you have offered to buy me tickets to see Hamilton or pay my rent. What’s going on guys, I thought we had something special? Ok, I get it, you have to get presents for friends and family, but what could be more satisfying than spending money on some guy that just started randomly emailing you every Friday? Exactly, nothing, and for the record, these emails are super important. How else would you know that I taught Charlie what “it’s Lit” means, and don’t you enjoy hearing about the great work everyone is doing across the state? Exactly. So get me a present, and while you’re wrapping up those Hamilton tickets, let me continue to update you about the Fast Times at Citizen Action.
-Stanley
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The Movement to Resist Trump’s Agenda. Members from the Southern Tier gathered for the second meeting of the Resistance Movement. The meeting was held at the United Presbyterian Church in Binghamton. People broke out into working groups and continued workshopping ideas and tactics for building a stronger, broader movement for progressive politics. At the end, participants pledged to continue the work to resist the Trump agenda.
Tell Gov Cuomo to Stop Playing. On November 8, the New York City chapter joined a coalition of activist and organizations to rally at the steps of Governor Cuomo’s office, to demand he take immediate action to bring the State Senate under the control of the Democratic majority that New Yorkers elected. Right now, despite having a numerical majority, at least one Democrat, and possibly as many as eight, elected to the State Senate are allied with Senate Republicans who back Donald Trump, keeping the Republican minority in control. Despite going out of his way to meddle with Albany politics in previous years, the Governor has suddenly become camera shy, probably because we’re holding him accountable.
New York Renews NYC TownHall. On December 9, Citizen Action joined New York City residents and a coalition of 100 organizations at a town hall meeting with the goal of getting Governor Cuomo to make the state of New York a true climate leader with his 2017 Executive Budget proposal. This means incorporating the New York State Climate and Community Protection Act, the most aggressive climate legislation in the country, into his broader economic development, public health, and environmental agenda. Like most politicians, Governor Cuomo isn’t very responsive without a little emphasis, so the 300+ people in attendance launched a simultaneous phone bank to the governor’s office. Spoiler alert, we overwhelmed their phone lines, but I think they got the message. Click here to see the highlights
BLOGS
Donald Trump is filling his presidential cabinet with a group of people who are against everything that actually makes America great. His recent appointment for the Environmental Protection Agency, is so deep into the pockets of the fossil fuel industry, if he shakes his foot, he’ll probably strike oil. This blog discusses how we can fight Trump, and shift to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. Click here to read.
IN THE NEWS
TimesUnion. Democrats in the New York State Senate have a numerical majority, but through the power of Republican math, and questionable legislatures, Republicans still control the senate. Frustrated with this confusing equation, and ready for change, Citizen Action joined a coalition of activists at the steps of Governor Cuomo’s office , to demand he unite the Democratic party and reject the Trump loving Republican establishment. Click here for the story.
WXXI News. Rochester Mayor, Lovely Warren has recommended the City of Rochester end its red light camera program. Metro Justice Community Organizer, Eamonn Scanlon joined the radio show, Connections with Evan Dawson to discuss the potential end of this program. Click here for the story.
Vice. The Black Lives Matter movement has created a new breed of activist, Vice highlighted 13 of these powerful women and men, including NYC Chapter Lead Organizer, Darius Gordon. Click here for the story.
The Alt. Feature article in The Alt Weekly about Citizen Action of New York Lead Organizer, Jamaica Miles, and the work of Citizen Action of New York – Capital District Chapter.Click here for the story.
EVENTS
December 13. The year is quickly coming to an end, but before it does, we will honor activists and leaders from across the state at our Annual Progressive Leadership Awards Gala. Join us to celebrate the work of this year’s honorees: Kate Linker (Greater NYC for Change), Linda Sarsour (Executive Director of Arab American Association of NY), Dennis Trainor (Vice President of CWA District one), the Hon. Jim Brennan (NYS Assemblymember) and Shaun King (Senior Justice Writer, NY Daily News). Click here for tickets.
On Wednesday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m. we are meeting to continue the work we began at the Emergency Community Meeting. There were over 100 people in attendance at the first meeting so we have chosen a space to fit our needs: 1199 SEIU at 155 Central Ave., Albany. Click here to RSVP
TAKE ACTION!
If NY is going to respond to the Trump administration’s extreme right wing agenda, we need a state government that can pass forceful, progressive legislation that lifts up working people. We can’t do that with a State Senate hijacked by a Republican minority that has stood by Trump since Day One, no matter what he’s said or done. Click here to take action.
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