Dear Activist,
Whenever this email reaches you, it is my hope that you’ll join me for 26 seconds of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor. (26-second pause) Breonna was only 26 years old when she was killed by Louisville Metro Police. She had so much more life to live. The grand jury’s decision to not indict the officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s murder reminds me that the constitution was not written to protect people who look like me. The laws that govern us are deeply flawed. This is why we need progressive leadership in all levels of government. The movement for Black lives, for fairness and equality for all people, is about creating a new system that works for all of us.
The General Election is fast approaching
National Voter Registration Day was this week. As we get closer to the election, there are some important dates to watch out for. Our friends at the New York Civic Engagement Table have created a website with all the info you need to know to vote this year.
You can vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot on the Board of Elections website.
Around the State
Protect Black Women
In response to the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case, our Movement Politics Director Jodi Risper, said: “Black women across the country are afraid that when they close their eyes at night, they will be shot down in their own home like #BreonnaTaylor. What is sad about the grand jury’s decision is that the outcome was expected.” Click here to read our full statement.
Our Hudson Valley chapter’s participated in the biweekly “Walk for Black Lives” this week. The Wednesday Walk for Black Lives is a community effort to bring awareness to racial injustice. The coalition consists of our Hudson Valley chapter, E.N.J.A.N, De Facto Community Center Project, and others. To learn more, visit the coalition’s Facebook page here. Child care was provided during the action.
Building Community
Our Western New York chapter held an end of summer community picnic on Thursday at the Zone One Family Entertainment Complex in Buffalo. This was a great way for everyone to come together in solidarity as the fight for a just recovery for all continues. The event provided an opportunity for people who may be unfamiliar with the chapter to meet the organizing team and become a Citizen Action member.
New Citizen Action office in Rochester!
Our Rochester chapter has a new office space! It’s located at 540 W. Main Street. Connect with our Rochester team and find out how you can get involved in the chapter.
COVID-19 Housing Justice
New York’s statewide eviction ban is set to expire on October 1 for residential tenants.
Click here to take action. Make sure your State Senator and Assembly member supports our three-bill blueprint for housing justice. Tens of thousands of renters could become homeless once the ban lifts and evictions move forward.
The federal eviction ban lasts through the end of the year, but it is limited and prioritizes property owners over the needs of low-income renters. It places the burden of debt on tenants who are already financially strapped. Without relief, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers will be displaced and fall into debt. We must demand that both Assembly Speaker Heastie and State Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins protect New Yorkers, not real estate interests! Both leaders have the power to bring these bills up for a vote. Without their support, these bills will not pass.
Get Counted in the 2020 Census!
The deadline to complete the 2020 Census is approaching. The census counts every person in the United States, and the results shape how billions of federal dollars flow in for the next decade in our communities. If you haven’t already, you can still complete the 2020 Census by clicking this link!
Mail your survey, or visit 2020Census.gov to get yours done today! It takes less than 10 minutes and is fully confidential. You can also email Sheilah at [email protected] if you have questions or need help.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 29 at 12 p.m.
Speakout to Stop Trump’s Supreme Court Hijacking & #SaveOurHealthcare
Binghamton Federal Building, 15 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY– Instead of ramming through a Supreme Court nominee that will rip healthcare away from millions in the middle of a pandemic, Trump and McConnell should be focusing on the 12 million people that have lost their health insurance over the last 6 months. Join us 12 p.m. Tuesday in Binghamton to #SaveOurHealthcare!
Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Training to Testify Against National Grid Rate Increase – National Grid wants to increase utility rates for upstate NY by an average of $100/yr per household and to use those funds to expand polluting fracked gas pipelines. In this training, we will provide an overview and dig into what is going on, provide talking points people can use when they testify and an opportunity and guidance for people to work on their own personal statements. Click here to register.
Wednesday, September 30 at 6 p.m.
Capital District New Member Orientation – In this meeting, we want to go over the work the Capital District chapter is doing and hear from you on what issues you care about and ideas you may have for the chapter. Join us next week!
Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.
Know Your Rights When Protesting Workshop – Learn what your rights are and how to exercise them when participating in a protest. Click here to register.
Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m.
“Our Everyday Heroes Awards”
Join us for the “Our Everyday Heroes Awards” on Tuesday, October 6! The Everyday Heroes Awards is our largest annual awards ceremony, but due to the challenges of Covid-19, we have decided to celebrate virtually this year. This year’s theme is “Democracy for All.” Click here to register.
Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Clocking in During COVID: What Working Families Should Know – This training hones in on the rights and protections of essential workers and people returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will include information on worker rights, paid leave, including Emergency COVID paid leave, and COVID workplace safety and the NY Hero Act. Presented in partnership with NENYCOSH.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 29 at 12 p.m.
Speakout to Stop Trump’s Supreme Court Hijacking & #SaveOurHealthcare
Binghamton Federal Building, 15 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY– Instead of ramming through a Supreme Court nominee that will rip healthcare away from millions in the middle of a pandemic, Trump and McConnell should be focusing on the 12 million people that have lost their health insurance over the last 6 months. Join us 12 p.m. Tuesday in Binghamton to #SaveOurHealthcare!
Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Training to Testify Against National Grid Rate Increase – National Grid wants to increase utility rates for upstate NY by an average of $100/yr per household and to use those funds to expand polluting fracked gas pipelines. In this training, we will provide an overview and dig into what is going on, provide talking points people can use when they testify and an opportunity and guidance for people to work on their own personal statements. Click here to register.
Wednesday, September 30 at 6 p.m.
Capital District New Member Orientation – In this meeting, we want to go over the work the Capital District chapter is doing and hear from you on what issues you care about and ideas you may have for the chapter. Join us next week!
Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.
Know Your Rights When Protesting Workshop – Learn what your rights are and how to exercise them when participating in a protest. Click here to register.
Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m.
“Our Everyday Heroes Awards”
Join us for the “Our Everyday Heroes Awards” on Tuesday, October 6! The Everyday Heroes Awards is our largest annual awards ceremony, but due to the challenges of Covid-19, we have decided to celebrate virtually this year. This year’s theme is “Democracy for All.” Click here to register.
Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Clocking in During COVID: What Working Families Should Know – This training hones in on the rights and protections of essential workers and people returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will include information on worker rights, paid leave, including Emergency COVID paid leave, and COVID workplace safety and the NY Hero Act. Presented in partnership with NENYCOSH.
Join the Movement
Citizen Action of New York is building power in communities across the state. Our members are the reason we’re able to do effective grassroots organizing and achieve justice for our communities. Our members give what they can when they can, and each contribution is directly invested in local leadership development. Click here to support.
There are many ways to get involved right now. Click here to contact a Citizen Action chapter in your area and ask how you can get involved locally.
Stay Connected
Tweet at us! For live updates, follow our statewide Twitter page. And if you’re looking for cool articles, memes and a little conversation, like us on Facebook here.
Closing message:
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” – Assata Shakur
In solidarity,
Tanique