We’re less than a month away from the General Election on November 2! The early voting period will be from October 23 to October 31. Click here for more information on how to vote early or on Election Day from the New York Civic Engagement Table. Citizen Action regional chapters have endorsed progressive candidates that will fight to win justice for our communities. Our endorsed candidates are champions for social, racial, economic and environmental justice, all of which are part of our core vision for a New York that works for all of us. See our list of endorsed candidates.
We see every day why being a voter matters. When we vote, we can elect people who will put our priorities first. We’ve seen some of our representatives, like Rep. Kathleen Rice, vote against our interests in favor of billionaires and corporations. New Yorkers deserve better than this. We deserve leaders who will fight for a society that puts our lives over corporate profits. We are proud to be part of a growing people-powered movement in New York, and to be in partnership with other progreessive groups, like the Working Families Party, to fight for a government that is of and for the people.
Working Families Party Launches Vision 2022 Survey
With the 2022 gubernatorial and state elections and legislative session coming up, Citizen Action is partnering with the New York Working Families Party to launch a Vision 2022 survey to hear from New Yorkers across the state.
We want to know what issues matter most to you and how we can make our state better work for working people. The results of this survey will be used to shape the Working Families Party’s 2022 legislative agenda and endorsement questionnaire. Can you take a minute to respond to our survey?
Around the State
Child Care is Essential
New York’s child care system is in crisis. Investing in child care is a benefit to our entire community. Right now, it’s vitally important that providers and parents have an opportunity to speak on how they are directly impacted by New York’s failure to fully invest in child care. That’s where Senator Jabari Brisport’s Child Care Listening Tour comes in! The tour officially launched last month in Brooklyn, and this week, highlighted child care providers in Queens. Citizen Action is joining child care advocates, including the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) and many others, to amplify child care needs and demand better for New York’s children, families, and providers. As part of Senator Brisport’s Child Care Tour, on October 6, we were at Sunnyside Community Services and Harmony Daycare. That evening, parents and child care providers joined the Senator for a listening session to discuss the challenges and gaps in services for families. Most of us need or will need child care in the future. Please take a moment to complete this survey to help us fight for quality child care for all. It’s important that we hear from all families and child care providers that are directly impacted by New York’s child care crisis. Take the survey here.
JCOPE Finally Votes to Investigate Cuomo’s Book Deal
When Former Governor Cuomo struck a $5 million-dollar book deal to document his time in office during the Covid-19 pandemic, it rightfully struck a nerve with many New Yorkers and progressive leaders. While the Governor was being propped up as a national hero, his austerity policies were also hurting low-income and majority Black and Brown New Yorkers. One example is the arduous, year-long battle to win state assistance for excluded workers. The book deal was approved without the proper oversight by the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics last year. The commission was created by and heavily influenced by Cuomo. Citizen Action President Ivette Alfonso issued a statement in response to the commission’s decision to investigate Cuomo’s book deal, and amplified the call to overhaul the commission. Click here to read our full statement.
Upcoming Events
Breaking the Cycle
Tuesday, October 12 & Wednesday, October 13 at 6 – 8 p.m.
In this workshop, we explore the motivations and drivers of the criminal legal system, including policing and mass incarceration. We pay special attention to the institutional racism at the heart of the system that has been oppressing Black and Brown people for centuries. With that understanding, we can begin to redefine safety in our lives and communities. Click here to register.
NYC
Our Everyday Heroes Awards
Thursday, Oct 14 at 6-9 p.m.
The annual Our Everyday Heroes Awards honors people in New York State’s community organizing and social justice ecosystem who’ve made significant contributions to moving the needle forward on key issues that Citizen Action works on, like racial justice, ending mass incarceration, getting big money out of politics or environmental justice! This year’s honorees are Zakiyah Ansari, Charles Khan and Jennifer Ching. Click here to join us!
Transforming the Worldview
Saturday, October 16 at 1- 2:30 p.m.
In this workshop, we discuss the conservative dominant worldview and the progressive worldview that we want to replace it with. We look at how the language we use often reinforces the dominant worldview and we practice using language that reinforces our progressive worldview instead. Click here to register.
Southern Tier
Phoenix Awards
Tuesday, October 26 at 6 – 8 p.m.
You’re invited to the Citizen Action of New York Phoenix Awards! Please join us on Tuesday, October 26 as we celebrate extraordinary local activists who are engaged in the fight for justice. Click here to get your tickets now: tinyurl.com/CAPhoenix21
The Phoenix Awards honors individuals and organizations in our community who have demonstrated an active commitment to social justice and progressive values. It is our way of honoring the unsung heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty to make our communities a better place.
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 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:
“When I liberate others, I liberate myself.” – Fannie Lou Hamer (October 1917- March 1977)
In solidarity,
Tanique