How are things on your side, are you taking care of yourself? I hope so. Donald Trump and his ragtag team of corporate billionaires is driving me crazy – sometimes it’s hard not to be angry all day. But if we’re going to defeat his agenda and stand up for people of color, LGBTQ people, undocumented people and our Muslim sisters and brothers, we will need to have a clear mind and open heart. I like to believe the Check-In is a great way to escape the craziness of Agent Orange and focus on the good. Sure, he’s doing everything he can to reverse years of progress, but what you will find below is a constant battle from people just like you, putting it all on the line to stop him. And guess what? We have a couple of victories.
-Stanley
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Not Our Labor Secretary. Days ahead of Andy Puzder’s confirmation hearing for labor secretary, workers in the Fight for $15, labor organizations and community supporters rallied to demand the fast-food mogul withdraw his nomination or be rejected by the U.S. Senate. After weeks of constant pressure from workers, Puzder was forced to remove his name from consideration, and the resistance had another victory. The moral of the story is that grassroots organizing works.
Raise the Age. On Valentine’s Day, New York State Senator George Amedore was greeted by a throng of his constituents, urging him to support a change in the state law so that children are not prosecuted as adults. New York and North Carolina are the only states that prosecute 16 and 17-year-olds as adults. The Trump-supporting Senator was given Valentine’s Day cards with the message “have a heart, raise the age.”
Fire Paladino. On February 15, the Western New York Chapter joined a group of demonstrators and shut down a Buffalo School Board meeting. Protestors interrupted the meeting demanding that Carl Paladino, be fired for his racist comments published in Artvoice. Paladino has a history of racially insensitive remarks and residents are tired of him not being held accountable for his words and actions. Click here to read the story.
Have a Heart for Health Care. On February 14, Citizen Action’s Central New York and Southern Tier Chapters delivered a hundred notes with Valentine messages to Congresswoman Tenney’s office. Participants were there to ask her not to vote for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, 2.7 million New Yorkers would lose their health insurance. Click here for more.
BLOGS
Governor Cuomo has gone out of his way to look like the progressive champion of New York, but his budget proposal for education looks a lot like trickle down economics. I decided to call him out for this behavior in the Huffington Post. Click here to read.
PODCAST
We’re back with another awesome Podcast, and this week I had the honor of speaking with the National Organizer for the Woman’s March, Nantasha Williams. Nantasha has some cool news about the March and gives us the inside scoop on their March 8 action. Click here to listen.
IN THE NEWS
Hudson Valley 1. About 75 local health care professionals have signed a letter to Congressman John Faso, asking him to make sure Americans’ health care needs are met effectively. Click here for the story.
WUTQ. Healthcare workers, community leaders and members of Citizen Action delivered around a hundred notes as a Valentine to Congresswoman Tenney’s office yesterday, to draw attention to the local need for the Affordable Care Act. Click here for the story.
Buffalo News. Dozens of demonstrators shut down a Buffalo school board meeting demanding they remove Trump supporter, Carl Paladino for his racist remarks. Click here for the story.
EVENTS
February 21. Join seasoned activists and newly engaged community members to help resist Donald Trump’s agenda with fun activities and great company. Click here to RSVP
February 23. Come to the Binghamton civic boot camp and learn how to effectively communicate with your elected officials. Click here to RSVP
February 24. Join residents in Kingston New York as they hold a panel discussion and Q&A on a range of topics like immigration rights, health care access, and environmental protection. Click here to RSVP
March 4. On March 4, students, teachers, parents and community members across New York State will come together for the People’s March for Education Justice. Click here to RSVP
TAKE ACTION!
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Elizabeth Warren from speaking on the Senate floor for the rest of the debate on Jeff Sessions’ nomination as Attorney General. The move came after Sen. Warren tried to read a letter calling out Sessions’ record of opposing civil rights and voting rights; a letter written by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s wife, Coretta Scott King. Help send a clear message to Mitch McConnell and Trump’s backers in the U.S. Senate. Add your name to stand with Sen. Warren! Click here to take action!
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