This morning while heading to the New York City office, someone on the subway recognized me from Twitter. As you know, the moment someone who isn’t in your direct circle of friends and family recognizes you, it means you’re famous. So this June at Justice Works, be sure to address me as Sir Stan The Man Fritzington. Speaking of Justice Works, are you attending this year? I hope so, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever, and of course, I’ll be there so that’s a positive. While we’re on to “bigger and better” this week was pretty interesting, the activists of Citizen Action took their talents to Washington, D.C. and we put on one hell of a show. Read more below.
-Stanley
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Rise Up. To mark and build on the first 100 days of resistance to the Donald Trump presidency, Citizen Action of New York’s Western New York, Southern Tier, New York City, Central New York, Hudson Valley and Capital District chapters joined the Long Island Progressive Coalition and Metro Justice at the People’s Action Rise Up Founding Convention. I know, that was a mouth full. Besides listing all of our chapters and affiliate members, we worked with the various organizations in the People’s Action network to build a plan that lets us go on the offensive in Trump’s America. It is absolutely imperative that we resist, but we can’t build our entire movement on “stopping Trump.” We have a vision for this country, and it’s time to share it with others.
Powerful Moments in the Resistance. You know what’s amazing? I’ll tell you. It’s getting the opportunity to listen to Hudson Valley member Rashida Tyler share her story with 1100 people while outlining her vision for our country. At the Rise Up conference, that is exactly what we saw, as Rashida stole the show with a riveting speech on how we move from defense to offense in the fight against Trump. You can check out her speech on our fan page. Click here to see Rashida speak.
Occupy Everything. On the last day of People’s Action’s #RiseUp Convention, we took our talks about defense to offense and transformed them into action. That’s right, sharing our vision for the world is all fun and games, but after a while it’s time to take some action. That’s exactly what we did when, on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, we visited Donald Trump at the White House to let him know we wouldn’t stand by idly as he pushed his racist and anti-worker agenda. When we were done going after the orange man, we occupied the offices of the Heritage Foundation. After spending most of their day writing policies that benefit no one but old white men with trust funds, the staff at Heritage were not happy to be interrupted from their world ending endeavors by the resistance. It was awesome.
Saying Goodbye to a Friend. The Riseup Convention wasn’t all fun and games. In the middle of all the White House actions, dance parties, speeches, and sessions, Citizen Action said goodbye to one of its shining stars. That’s right, after three great years, Citizen Action New York City Lead Organizer Darius Gordon is leaving the organization. Darius was a big part of the Citizen Action family and his passion for the work, can-do attitude, and warm smile will be missed. But don’t feel too bad. In a move that will surprise no one, Darius is leaving after delivering one of the biggest political victories of the year. After months of organizing, marching, lobbying, and base building, New York State voted to raise the age for criminal offenders. This is a huge victory for New York teens everywhere, and Darius played a big part in getting it done.
BLOGS
On July 23, 2016, hundreds of New York’s top progressive activists and leaders gathered at the Desmond Hotel in Albany for Justice Works: A Conference for Progressive New York. Keeanga-Yamhatta Taylor delivered her 2016 keynote address, “Organizing in the Era of Black Lives Matter.” Click here to watch.
PODCAST
In the middle of all of the great workshops and actions that took place during the Riseup Convention, I had the opportunity to sit with People’s Action Co-Director LeeAnn Hall. LeeAnn and I discussed the origin of the convention, what she was looking forward to participating in, and how people could join the movement. Click here to listen.
IN THE NEWS
Think Progress. On Tuesday, organizers and activists with the People’s Action coalition took to the White House and the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to protest proposed budget cuts they say will have a devastating impact on the environment, the poor, and communities of color. Click here for the story.
Long Island.com Dozens of community members and environmental activists rallied outside Senator Chuck Schumer’s Melville office on Tuesday, calling on him to lead the Senate Democrats in resisting the White House plan to slash the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency. Click here for the story.
EVENTS
April 29- April 29th will mark the 100th day of this administration and around the world people will take stock of what this new period in our nation’s history looks like. On that same day, we will gather in a massive and unified March for Climate, Jobs, and 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
May 1. On May 1, we are calling on all workers to stand in solidarity with immigrants for a march and day of action in Albany to leverage our collective power and show how fragile the economy is without our labor and buy-in. Click here to RSVP
June 3 &4. Hundreds of New Yorkers who fight for justice will join together. Regardless of the issues, you work on, or how you work on them: if you’re an organizer, a volunteer, a door knocker, a blogger, a policy wonk, or all of these things – Justice Works is the conference for you. Last year was an empowering experience with keynote speaker, Keeanga Yamahtta Taylor, and who could forget my rousing 2015/16 year in review presentation? This year’s conference will be bigger and better, so sign up before we sell out. Click here to RSVP
TAKE ACTION!
The federal budget proposed by Donald Trump would destroy the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to keep the air we breathe and the water we drink safely While we fight the Trump administration every step of the way in D.C., New York must lead on climate change by transitioning to 100% renewable energy. It’s up to Governor Cuomo. Click here to take action.
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