My flu is gone, but last night, for some reason, I had another really strange dream. Here’s what happened. I was with Kendall Jenner at a photo shoot, and outside was a coalition of harmless looking people of color carrying indistinct signs in a protest with no clear goal, demand, or purpose. The photographer took a picture of her and all of a sudden some really crappy music started playing in the background and Kendall got super serious. Before I could stop her, Kendall stripped off her white wig and went outside to join the mob of CW11 Actors. Think that’s bad? It gets worse. A bucket of Pepsi magically popped up, Kendall grabbed a can, walked up to a cop and then I woke up. Not sure what happens next. Weird, right?
-Stanley
We’re a people-powered organization. Click here to support us in the movement for justice.
Health Care is a Human Right. On April 4, the Southern Tier chapter traveled to Albany for a lobby day advocating for single-payer health insurance in New York State. As the Trump administration fights to make our healthcare system about as effective as a floppy disk used for storing music, our Southern Tier members were urging their state officials not to wait for Trump to sink the ship, and do the right thing by passing the NY Health Act.
State Budget Countdown. On March 27, parents, students, and activists from the Western New York chapter of Citizen Action went to the office of state Senator Chris Jacobs to demand that he support a budget that fully funds Foundation Aid, bringing $91 million to Buffalo public schools.
Twitter Town Hall. On Thursday night, the New York City chapter joined the Alliance for Quality Education, New York Communities for Change, Vocal New York, and the New York City Justice League, for a one-hour Twitter Town Hall. The conversation focused on the status of the state budget and our demands for passage of Raise the Age, education funding, housing, and homeless services.
BLOGS
New York is one of only two states in the nation that charges sixteen and seventeen-year-olds as adults in criminal courts. We have a chance to change that this year, but state Senate Republicans are dragging their feet. I decided to share my thoughts on the budget process and the fight to raise the age. Click here to read.
PODCAST
In this week’s Activist Check-In Podcast, I speak with Dan Sherrell about the NY Renews campaign and our goal of getting New York State to 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. Click here to read more.
IN THE NEWS
Buffalo News- The Cuomo administration has lost another round in court over the millions of dollars in aid it has been withholding from 20 struggling schools across New York, including five in Buffalo. Click here for the story.
EVENTS
April 11- It’s time to #resist. Join us EVERY Friday to show Faso that we are paying attention to what he does and that we won’t stand by silently while he contributes to Trump’s plan. Click here to RSVP
April 12- The Alliance for Quality Education will be talking about the budget — either next steps if it has been finalized, or where things stand if we’re still waiting on it — answer your questions, and let you know what you can do to help put pressure on legislators and the Governor from your own communities. Click here to RSVP
April 19- Join us as we look at how racism and runaway inequality affects education, housing, and criminal justice. Click here to RSVP
April 29-May 20- Want a deeper understanding of the intersection of civic participation, government, social movements, identity, and community? Then sign up for the New York Civic Engagement Table’s leadership pipeline program. Click here to RSVP
TAKE ACTION!
Republicans in the state Senate are trying to weaken a proposal to keep kids out of the adult criminal justice system. And a group of breakaway Democrats is giving them the leverage they need to push their agenda. Tell Governor Andrew Cuomo and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Sen. Jeffrey D. Klein: No kids in adult prisons! 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.