Category Archives: Community Initiatives

Anti-Asian Racism, White Supremacy and Cross-Racial Solidarity – Virtual Town Hall

Thursday, April 8th, 12:30 – 2 pm
Town Hall on Anti-Asian Racism, White Supremacy, and Cross-Racial Solidarity

On Thursday, April 8, we will bring together activists and nonprofit leaders working to create safety, build multiracial solidarity, and uplift community solutions to eliminate violence against Asian communities without overreliance on policing and other carceral interventions. We will reflect on the impact of these racist attacks, and unpack attempts to whitewash systemic racism and the erasure of gender-based violence. We will discuss deep cross-racial solidarity and interdependence as an organizing lens and practice for a more sustainable path to community safety and explore considerations for PPGNY in our work as a reproductive health care and advocacy organization.

The event will be moderated by Fiona Kanagasingam, Chief Equity and Learning Officer, and Merle McGee, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, and is held in partnership with our External Affairs team.

Featuring:
Cathy Dang, former Executive Director of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities

Wayne Ho, President/CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council

Alvina Wong, Asian Pacific Environmental Networks

Read panelist bios here.

Zoom link registration will follow shortly via email. Sign up here.

{Closed Captioning, ASL interpretation, and simultaneous translation available)

In Our Community – Poughkeepsie Healthy, Black and LatinX Coalition

Poughkeepsie Healthy Black and LatinX Coalition 

If you are interested in the Poughkeepsie Healthy Black and Latinx Coaction they meet every second Thursday from 9:30am-11am. You can register here:
https://ppaf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMqd-mqpzsrGNJsX02m66fnhJuTuwDWD5aO

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Opportunities for Action – July 2020

NEW PRIORITIES FOR DUTCHESS

Despite financial crisis and looming layoffs, Dutchess County plans to begin construction of a new $200 million jail–one that would hold 328 people, when we currently have 140 in the jail. 

The county legislature will vote July 9 at 5:30 pm on whether to move forward with the project. Please join the community in a silent protest outside the County Office Building from 4 to 5:30PM and join 200 participants who will line up (6′ distant) on Market St. holding million-dollar signs, while others will bring signs expressing alternative budget priorities. Please bring a mask and a friend! 

Lead organizers of the event are the Democratic Caucus of the Dutchess County Legislature, the Progressive Black and Latino Caucus, and End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN) of Poughkeepsie. Other co-sponsors are Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson; Race Unity Circle; Stop the Violence; Celebrating the African Spirit; Beacon Prison Action; Justice for Aleesa; Dutchess County Progressive Action 

To voice your opinion before the vote:

https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/Dutchess-County-Legislators.htm

Opportunities for Action – July 2020

RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

ENJAN (End the New Jim Crow Action Network!) has been working with NYCLU to support the passage of the Right to Know Act (RTKA) in the City of Poughkeepsie. This law, which can be adopted by local and municipal governments, would require police officers stopping citizens to identify themselves and explain the reason for the stop. The idea behind the RTKA is that it would promote a conversation between civilians and law enforcement. Requiring officers to identify themselves and explain their actions promotes a more consistent, respectful, and community-minded approach to enforcement activities while also potentially reducing the likelihood that a routine police stop will turn violent.

The City of Poughkeepsie Common Council held a special legislative session on June 29th to advance business and dialogue toward policing reform and racial justice and a Hearing to receive public comment on July 6th.

All recordings of Poughkeepsie City Council, Committee and Special meetings can be found here: https://totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=cop

Background:

https://www.courtwatchdutchess.org/blog/2020/6/16/policing-in-america-making-police-more-transparent-and-accountable

To voice your opinion:

https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/common-council/members