A People’s Recovery
I have been helping deliver food for five weeks now. The need has always been great but this week something was different — you could feel the fear our neighbors have — is the food going to run out and what happens when we return to “normal” when normal was not secure for many to start.
Watching on the news, people protesting (albeit in NJ) for the economy to reopen with no common sense or consideration to those who are always left behind by our inequitable economic policies. Reopening the economy doesn’t solve the problems that existed that the pandemic has exacerbated.
Frankly, I’m not sure reopening the economy solves the new problems we face now as a result of Coronavirus.. And do we really want to return to a “normal” that left so many of our neighbors behind?
This is our chance to get it right, to do it differently, better, and for all.
Instead of sitting back and waiting for an FDR-like leader to save us we need to remember that FDR was elected by the people — we the people hold the power and we need to use it.
Here’s how:
➡️ tell the New York congressional delegation that the stimulus four bill must be a People’s Recovery. Tell them they must fight republicans and democrats who do not agree. Call, email, use social media to let your U.S. Senators and Member of Congress know this is what you expect. Be relentless at it. And if they do not do it, as most have progressive challengers, vote them out!
➡️ tell Governor Cuomo that while he is good at parts of crisis management he is neither perfect nor king. He must do much more for the most vulnerable New Yorkers He must push for a federal bailout not budget cuts. Austerity won’t save us. Call, email, use social media. Be relentless.
➡️ tell our New York state legislature to go back to work, stop the governor’s budget cuts, work with our congressional delegation for a true recovery plan, pass bills to help us now and to solve problems we faced pre-Coronavirus. Call, email, use social media-to let your State Senator and Assembly Member. Be relentless at it. And if they do not do it, as most have progressive challengers — like me, vote them out!
➡️ get involved. There are many ways to help both by helping people in need and politically. Empire State Indivisible says “if you are enraged, get engaged!”
➡️ VOTE! Do not be thrown off of our democracy by the confusion our Governor is causing! Only the presidential primary is cancelled — there is still a congressional and local primary on June 23! You can vote by:
1️⃣ filling out the absentee ballot application you will receive in the mail and sending it back in the stamped envelope provided ▶️ you will then receive a ballot in the mail
2️⃣ early voting June 13–21 at your early voting location
3️⃣ voting on Election Day, June 23 at your polling place
➡️ remember that our elected leaders work for us and we must hold them to account! Call, email, use social media to conact your elected leaders and hold them to account. Be relentless. And if they have a progressive challenger you can vote them out!
Over the next week there will be a series of town hall zoom meetings to talk about how to fight for a People’s Recovery that
Delivers Healthcare For All and Protections For Frontline Workers
April 29th, 7pm / register
Includes Immigrant Families and Repairs Gaps In Worker Protections
April 30th, 7pm / register
Provides Ongoing And Universal Income Assistance Paired With True Financial Relief
May 1st, 3pm / register
Addresses the Public Health Crises Of Incarceration and Homelessness
May 4th, 7pm / register
Protects Democracy and Ensures Corporate Accountability and State Oversight
May 5th, 7pm / register
After each, I will post a summary key takeaways for our community and ways we can all get involved and fight for a People’s Recovery.
