Dear Activist,
During a hearing on housing, a Syracuse City Councilor cut up a $20 bill to apparently demonstrate his intellectual prowess (and argue in favor of free markets). While the Councilor is busy cutting up money, thousands of New Yorkers are on their last $20 and wondering how they’re going to make rent this month.
The housing crisis is real, and we only have a few weeks before the rent laws expire. No one should have to make an impossible choice between feeding their family or paying the rent. We hope you can join us in Albany for the statewide day of action for housing justice next week. Let’s show them the real power of the grassroots!
– Ravi
AROUND THE STATE
Our Statewide Housing Organizer Rebecca Garrard testified at today’s housing hearing at the Capitol. Upstate and downstate renters are calling for basic protections from unjust evictions.
We celebrated the Long Island Progressive Coalition at their 40th Anniversary Gala. Our hero–and long-time Executive Director–Karen Scharff was one of the evening’s honorees.
A housing forum was held in Poughkeepsie to discuss the major challenges facing tenants in the Hudson Valley. In towns and cities across the Hudson Valley, rents have skyrocketed while wages have remained flat.
IN THE NEWS
In Common Dreams, our Co-Executive Director Rosemary Rivera wrote about the need to elect progressive District Attorneys committed to transforming the system.
“Across the country, a new wave of reform-minded District Attorneys are running on platforms of rolling back the ‘New Jim Crow’ and promoting alternatives to incarceration. Importantly, local grassroots groups and criminal justice advocates are holding these DAs accountable to their commitments.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Citizen Action’s annual Justice Works conference will held on July 20th and 21st in Albany. Join hundreds of other organizers and activists and help build our movement.
Binghamton – Thursday, May 9th at 6 pm – Broome County Bail & Jail Community Forum – A community forum on mass jailing featuring Michael Thomas and members of the New York Giants. RSVP on Facebook
Brentwood – Saturday, May 11th at 12:30 pm – Green New Deal Town Hall – Learn about the Green New Deal from local activists and experts. RSVP on Facebook
Kingston – Saturday, May 11th at 11 am – Housing Justice Canvass – Knock on doors to inform neighbors about the campaign for housing justice. RSVP on Facebook
Albany – Tuesday, May 14th at 10 am – Statewide Housing Day of Action – A massive statewide day of action for housing justice at the Capitol. Register for Bus
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