In July 2004, I was just an 18-year-old kid in East New York Brooklyn, desperate to get out of the projects. On July 27 of that year, I spent the day at my friend Darnell’s house. He and I were going to have a video game marathon but his mother had something else in mind. With the promise of pancakes the next morning, she convinced us to watch the 2004 Democratic National Convention with her. That was the first time I ever saw Barack Obama speak. My place in the world was never a mystery to me. For as long as I can remember, my father was sure to explain the limits of blackness. But watching Sen. Obama speak on that night about an America that was for all people, did something to me. It gave me a hope that might have been there but was reticent. It lit a fire in me. As the man that inspired me in 2004 leaves office to be replaced by a man that has done nothing but encourage hate, I’m going to use the hope felt in 2004, and the faith in all of you, to push me through the next four years. It’s ok to feel down, it’s ok to feel pessimistic, but never give up hope, and if you need a break, it’s ok. We have your back. We’ll never stop fighting. This is how we fought in the first days of “Trump’s America.”
-Stanley
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End of the World Party. Before you start hyperventilating, please know it is not literally the end of the world. Sure, our country elected Darth Vader’s drunk cousin into office, but all hope isn’t lost. That’s why on the day before you-know-who was inaugurated, the Western New York Chapter of Citizen Action held their End of the World Party with a twist. In this version, participants had a chance to meet their neighbors, find resources for the fight ahead, and celebrate spaces that promote love, inclusion, and justice. Click here for the photos.
Long Island Unity Rally. The day before the inauguration the Long Island Progressive Coalition joined with progressive organizations from across the Island to show that they are united against racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, sexism, and homophobia. No amount of online petitions or pee jokes will stop Trump from becoming president, so it’s time to organize. Now more than ever it’s important to stand with each other, to protect each other, to work together to create progressive change, and defend the policies we fought so hard to win. Click here to watch the video.
Save our Healthcare. A few hours after watching President Obama leave the White House for the last time, our Southern Tier Chapter continued their fight to save our health care system. Joining the #SaveMyCare bus at the Binghamton State Office Building, chapter members went to show their extreme displeasure that once again, Washington is trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and vulnerable.
Stop Trump’s Education Agenda. On January 19, our New York City Chapter and Metro Justice joined in the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools national day of action with events at opposite ends of the state. While the members in NYC marched through downtown Manhattan with the Alliance for Quality Education and #GovernmentSachs protestors, members from Metro Justice in Rochester hosted a great rally at the School Without Walls. Click here for a video from the Rochester action.
Resist Trump’s Agenda. Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump becomes the 45th President of the United States, residents from across New York will travel to the Capital District to kick off a “100 Days of Resistance” campaign. The event will include training’s and workshops followed by a march to the New York State Capitol. Click here to get involved.
BLOGS
Check out this awesome post from Citizen Action Campaign Manager and local rockstar, Blue Carreker. “Leaders like Cuomo tell us that resources are limited; we have a deficit budget, and so modest advancements for the middle class are the most we can expect. But New York’s wealth is vast. New York includes a large percentage of the wealthiest people and companies in America.” Click here for the full text.
PODCAST
In New York State, 16 and 17-year-olds arrested or detained can be sent to adult prisons and jails. Despite multiple studies that show a teenager’s brain functions are not fully developed, our state insists on charging young people like adults, creating a generation of over-incarcerated youth in New York. We sat down to speak with Justice League Member Angelo Pinto about the campaign to raise the age. Click here to listen.
IN THE NEWS
Times-Union. In the hour before President Donald Trump took his oath of office Friday, Caitlin Conheady and Tara Westfall arrived at Albany’s Lafayette Park clutching signs that read “Don’t take my health care.” Click here for the story.
Newsday. More than 150 people gathered at a unity rally in Bay Shore on the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Click here for the story.
Time Warner Cable. Days after Governor Andrew Cuomo released his proposed 2017 state budget, the Alliance for Quality Education says it’s concerned about the future of the foundation aid formula, which allocates money to school districts statewide. Click here for the story.
EVENTS
January 21. Join millions of people in Washington to advocate for Women’s Rights and protest the Trump agenda. Call the Southern Tier Citizen Action at 607.723.0110. Seats limited.
January 23. Join young progressives organizing to make Binghamton a more just place. Plug into electoral and issue organizing happening in and around your city. Click here to RSVP
January 26. Come together and take action – weekly, we will be doing an overview of what’s happening, taking actions that will make a real difference in the lives of people in the Hudson Valley, and building our community so that we are so powerful, we can’t be ignored. Click here to RSVP
January 26. Are you in Binghamton and want to learn how to get involved in the movement? The Southern Tier chapter is holding training’s to give you the tools you need. Organizing 101 – How to Organize – basic organizing skills. For information, call Citizen Action at 607.723.0110.
January 29. In these times of high tension, many people are wondering what they can do. How do we make sure that our human rights are protected? The answer is to organize. When we organize we are building the power to push for real changes in the communities where we live. The Citizen Action Hudson Valley chapter wants to provide to the community a training on basic organizing skills. Click here to RSVP
TAKE ACTION!
As a Congress member, Tom Price voted for a bill that would ban abortion nationwide in almost all cases and opposed guaranteeing contraceptive coverage. He opposed marriage equality and voted against preventing job discrimination based on sexual orientation.He isn’t just wrong on the issues – Tom Price is on the wrong side of history. Tell Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to vote NO on Price and lead their colleagues in forcefully rejecting his nomination! Click here to take action!
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