October 29th
Dear friends,
When my favorite millennial set me up with this fancy-schmancy substack format, they told me that I would be able to see if my readers clicked on the links in my emails. This feedback is sometimes — dare I say it? — disappointing. It’s okay, though, because none of us can concentrate and I know I ask a lot of you. My confidence in you is unshakable. So, I’m going to repeat myself without irritation, just as all effective teachers learn to do.
This action is as easy as it gets and you will feel good after you do it: Call on your state legislators to support the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA), which would “raise $7 billion per year from corporate polluters and invest the funds into our communities, transforming our economy to one that’s 100% renewable and creating good, green jobs.” Make corporations pay for the damage they have done.
Here is more repetition: Make a plan to NOT go to work if there is a premature declaration of victory or electoral results show significant irregularities and/or signs of tampering. This may entail bringing it up at a staff meeting and having a conversation about public service. There is no more public service than defending democracy. If you are already registered with Protect the Results, you probably got the same email I did. If not, you can sign up here for an event on November 4. Again, plan to skip work and remember to hit the streets with friends (this is for safety as well as fun). If you want to meet up with me at Grand Army Plaza, email (not in reply to this email) or text me. I will be reviewing safety protocols over the next several days.
Why have I been reminding you to vote the Working Families Party line? Because the WFP has been instrumental in supporting progressive candidates and the party needs to meet a higher threshold of votes to maintain its ballot line.
I’m fairly certain you don’t need me to bring you the day’s bad news. The death of Walter Wallace Jr in Philadelphia and the large demonstrations have shaken that city and all of us who care about justice. The litany of police killings is disheartening, to say the very least. I do, however, want to mention a young man named Anthony Smith, a social studies teacher and political organizer with Philly for REAL Justice, who was arrested yesterday in connection with mass protests following the killing of George Floyd. Smith’s lawyer declined to discuss the specific allegations Wednesday but said: “I have grave concerns over the government’s efforts to pursue activists in the context of a protest with federal charges.” We will be keeping eyes on this.
with love,
L