Category Archives: Upcoming Community Events

Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in United States History and Life

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Online Book Read
Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in United States History and Life by David Billings.

As part of Black History month, the Kingston Chapter of ENJAN is hosting a timely discussion with anti-racist author David Billings about his book Deep Denial on Thursday, February 11th 7-9 PM.

Register here for the event. Your registration fee of $22.00 includes a copy of David’s book Deep Denial. All proceeds from the book sales will go to support the making of the film documentary Hallowed Ground, a story about the forgotten Pine Street African Burial Ground for enslaved people in Kingston. With your registration receipt you can pick up your copy of the book at:

  • Rough Draft Bar and Books, 82 John St, Kingston (Open M-F 8-6pm, Sat. 9-6pm Sun. 9-4pm) Closed 1/19-25, or,
  • Tilda’s Kitchen, 630 Broadway, Kingston (Open Wed-Fri, 9-5; Sat-Sun 10-6pm).

David Billings is a life-long activist, educator, and organizer in the anti-racist movement and a key trainer, since 1985, in the Undoing Racism Workshops offered by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. His book combines personal stories from his life, beginning with his white, working-class boyhood in Mississippi and Arkansas to his experience of both the promise and decline of the Civil Rights movement and brings these lessons to his teaching and organizing.

Council of Elders: A Virtual Roundtable

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Council of Elders: A virtual roundtable by Hold The Line Hudson Valley is a roundtable discussion with movement elders from the Hudson Valley on activism, solidarity and the political divide on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Register for free on eventbrite.

Join movement elders from the Hudson Valley for a conversation about the present moment, and stories and wisdom from the past. How do we ground ourselves in the new year? How do we build coalitions in solidarity with others across political divides while staying accountable to ourselves and all people most directly impacted by systemic oppression?

The council includes leaders from local African Roots Libraries, ENJAN, and the NAACP, Restorative Justice practitioners and long-time activists and organizers in Labor, Environmental Justice, LGBTQIA Rights, Antiracism and Civil Rights movements.

Moderated by Tracy Givens-Hunter, the elders include: Maude Bruce, Paul Bermanzohn, Sally Bermanzohn, Otia Lee, Denise Oliver-Velez, Sandra Oxford, Rob Pinto, Loriman Rhodell, Cheryl Schneider, and Odell Winfield.

Opportunities for Action – July 2020

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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