Chop Wood, Carry NY 12/10
Welcome!
Hey, Team NY.
Welcome to Chop Wood, Carry New York! This is the newest edition of the Chop Wood, Carry Water state-based pages, where you can receive similar info to what I send out in my country-wide daily newsletter (i.e. progressive actions and events to preserve democracy, save our planet from climate change, fight for educators and librarians, elect better lawmakers, etc.), but for NY!
This page will be co-authored by Lydia Howrilka, an activist and educator based in New York– check out her personal Substack here. To make things easy, we will be sharing actions based on region.
FOR ALL NEW YORKERS:
Markers for Democracy is dedicated to building and maintaining an inclusive and educated grassroots community focused on saving American democracy. They achieve this through daily engagement in postcard-writing and other forms of activism to promote the election of Democrats up and down the ballot all over the country. Register for their newsletter by clicking here.
Did you know that New Yorkers pay the 2nd highest premiums for health care in our nation? Join the Campaign for NY Health to fight for free comprehensive health care for all New Yorkers via the passage of the New York Health Act (NYHA). The New York Health Act is a universal healthcare bill in New York State that would guarantee high quality, comprehensive healthcare for all New Yorkers. Click here to learn more about how we can fight for passage of the NYHA. Get involved today!
CAPITAL REGION:
Progressive Schenectady was created in the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential election by three Niskayuna women to support activism against the hateful rhetoric and divisiveness in the post-election era. Click here to join members of this local Indivisible chapter the week of December 8.
December 12 @ 6 PM: The WFP is building a political home for the multi-racial working class. Join them on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Washington Ave. Library in Albany for a WFP 101 info session, followed by our chapter meeting. All are welcome! Click here to register on Mobilize.
CENTRAL REGION:
December 14, 6-8 PM: Join CNY for their holiday party! RSVP and learn more by clicking here.
LONG ISLAND REGION:
Ongoing: The Trump administration has been very clear on their plans to decimate the ACA, reduce funding to Medicaid and reduce funding to Medicare. This will translate to sky rocketing insurance rates for New Yorkers, increased medical debt, loss of coverage, and more sick New Yorkers going without treatment.
New York has the ability to protect our healthcare by passing the New York Health Act. Nassau Progressives is raising money so the Campaign for New York Health can continue the critical work of fighting for passage of the bill. You can make a donation directly on their website or at this fundraising link.
LOWER HUDSON VALLEY (INCLUDES WESTCHESTER):
NYCD16 Indivisible will be meeting in person on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 12:30 PM. As per their event link: “Our focus will be on New York State. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins will be joining us to review the election outcomes and their impact on New York State.” To RSVP for their meeting, click here. To check out their website, click here.
MOHAWK VALLEY:
Check out Indivisible Mohawk Valley! They held an in-person meeting a couple of days ago, “discussing what the new Indivisible Guide means for our group, take practical action and outline our plan for the first month of 2025.” If you missed the session, it’s absolutely not too late to get involved! Email them at indivisiblemv@gmail.com
NEW YORK CITY REGION:
Sunrise Movement NYC: Sunrise Movement NYC is fighting for a Green New Deal! Click here to view upcoming meetings in December, including a hub meeting on December 15!
NORTH COUNTRY:
Read All About It! NY-21 Special Election: There are six people publicly planning to run for the NY-21 congressional seat in a yet-to-be-announced special election. North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik is set to vacate the seat after accepting a nomination to be the next U.N. ambassador. As of today, the Working Families Party has not endorsed a candidate for the 2025 Special Election for NY-21 yet. Previously, Paula Collins was endorsed. See more in this article.
OK, that’s it for now— thanks for reading! If you live in a region not mentioned in this newsletter, it’s because we have yet to connect with local organizations in your area. If you know of any organizations doing awesome work in the Upstate or Downstate regions, please shoot me an email at lydia.howrilka@gmail.com.
More soon.
Jess & Lydia