U.S : VOCAL-NY Guide to Your Week !

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Eviction Moratorium: Make sure you are protected by the state's eviction moratorium! Click here to find out more and submit the documents you need to be protected! Wednesday, 1/27 @ ALL DAY : People’s Campaign for Parole Justice Lobby Day. Where : Zoom RSVP : Click here Contact : nick@vocal-ny.org   Wednesday, 1/27 @ 5:30PM : Join us for our first #VOCALvaccinated town hall w/ Dr. Kim Sue and Dr. Oni Blackstock to answer questions and concerns relating to COVID-19 and the existing vaccines. Where : Zoom RSVP : Click Here Contact : Jawanza, 917-488-4961 or jawanaz@vocal-ny.org Wednesday, 1/27 @ 7PM : Candidate Forum for the Manhattan District Attorney Race. Where : zoom  RSVP : Click here for Link. Contact : nick@vocal-ny.org. Thursday, 1/28 @ 4PM : Join us for the monthly VOCAL-NY Homelessness Union Assembly. Come build & engage in deep political power & education that changes the narratives and outcomes of those currently and formerly experiencing homelessness in NYC. On the agenda : ULURP Process, Community Board, Housing Plan. Where : Online or Phone (Zoom or Dial-in) Register : bit.ly/HUAssemblyJan21 Contact : Celina: 347-309-6621 |celina@vocal-ny.org Thursday, 1/28 @5PM : Join us for our first monthly Civil Rights Union Town Hall of 2021. We will be discussing our Campaign Platform for 2021.Where : Zoom RSVP : Click Here Contact : nick@vical-ny.org Upcoming Next Week: Thursday, 2/4 @ 5:30PM : Join Da Homeless Hero and Homeless NYers across NYC for Mayoral Candidate 2021 Forum. A first-ever and historical political forum tailored to center the needs and platform of New Yorkers directly impacted by homeless, mayoral candidates will be asked to share their platform and engage in questions about their plans to end homelessness -- led by those currently and formerly homeless. Where : Zoom. Register : bit.ly/366UMLUContact : Celina: 347-309-6621 | celina@vocal-ny.org Ongoing : PATHS Petition: Click here to support the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS ! Interested in getting more involved with VOCAL-NY ? Click here! Sign our Homeless Union Petition to demand Wi-Fi for Homeless (#Wifi4Homeless) New Yorkers : Click here. Contact : Celina, 347.309.6621/celina@vocal-ny.org Sign our petition to demand safe and consistent access to methadone for vulnerable New Yorkers : https://bit.ly/MethadoneAccessNow. Contact : Biz, 413.406.8838 / biz@vocal-ny.org

Week in Review

We responded to Governor Cuomo's austerity budget proposal by demanding he #InvestInOurNewYork with a statement attributable to Political Director Paulette Soltani "We know who austerity kills. New York State must tax the rich to raise $50 billion in needed revenue, and invest in housing, services, and care for all." We've been fighting for over a decade to decriminalize syringe possession and expand access in New York State. Check out coverage from the statewide harm reduction community in New York Focus and City and State. "As harm reductionists, we really encourage secondary exchange," said Jasmine Budnella, drug policy coordinator at VOCAL-NY. 'But if you’re doing that, those people won’t have a card.' Those who receive clean syringes from an exchange participant, but are not themselves enrolled in an exchange, remain exposed to risk of arrest and conviction for syringe possession. Our Dir. of Organizing, Jawanza Williams was on WXXI Radio to advocate for #MarijaunaJustice and draw distinctions between Governor Cuomo's legalization proposal (CRTA) and the legislature's( #MRTA)

What We're Reading

DemocracyNow: “The Work Continues”: Cornel West & Maria Hinojosa on the Promise & Dangers of the Biden Admin [Video] The City: State Prison COVID-19 Wave Grows as Inmates Wait for Vaccines: Hundreds of state prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 this month, data shows, intensifying calls for vaccinations and early releases of inmates. Gothamist: COVID-19 Causes A Sharp Rise In Deaths Of NYC Homeless: Some 613 homeless New Yorkers died between July of 2019 and June of 2020, a 52% increase compared to the prior fiscal year, according to data released Tuesday by the de Blasio administration, a grim indicator of the effect of the coronavirus on people lacking permanent housing. Chris Hedges: The Politics of Cultural Despair: Hedges examines the cultural and social forces that have given rise to extremism in the United States. He explores the myriad of factors that led to the proliferation of neo-fascist militias, extremist organizations, demagogic leaders, vast social divides defined by hate, a hyper nationalism and virulent racism as well as a mass media that has descended into burlesque and fans the flames of social disintegration. [Video] The Appeal: The Election that Could Thwart New York City's War on Drugs: The war on drugs in New York City is fueled by a little-known but powerful office : the special narcotics prosecutor (SNP), whose powers derive in part from the good will of the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

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