Riverside Weekly Actions
Support for Climate Funding in the Budget
On Monday, March 11th, we partnered with Dayenu to deliver a letter to Gov. Hochul signed by over 100 faith leaders, urging her to prioritize the health and safety of all New Yorkers for generations to come through a Cap-Trade-and-Invest program.
It was great to be together on Monday to lobby our elected officials and speak truth to power in the NYS Capitol halls. We received a mention from our friends at Politico, and Dayenu has gained strong traction on their blog and social mediaabout the press conference. Check it out and re-share.
We also lobbied for support on two core pieces of legislation:
Support Mahmoud Khalil
Yesterday, March 12th, we joined The People’s Forum to protest the unjust detainment of activist Mahmoud Khalil. Rev. Thorne opened the rally with a powerful statement of support, proclaiming, “If they’re coming for Khalil today, they’re coming for you tomorrow,” and “If God is our father, then Mahmoud is our brother.”
One of the core tenets of the Christian faith is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. To truly embody that love, we must speak out when our neighbors’ rights are being threatened.
You can show your support by signing the petition below:
Click the link below to sign on and demand that Congress protect our vital Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from being exploited to benefit the wealthy.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION
Multifaith Mondays
Faith leaders and community members are gathering weekly at Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park) every Monday evening from 5:30 to 6:00 pm to stand in solidarity and bear moral witness for democracy.
Each vigil will be hosted by a different faith community or interfaith coalition. Through prayer, song, and collective presence, we affirm the power of spiritual resilience in the face of challenges to our democratic values.
We hope you can join us! If your house of worship or community organization would like to host a Multifaith Monday vigil.
Oppose the removal of self-identified gender markers on new passports
The proposed change to Form DS-82 eliminates the ability for individuals to update their gender marker during passport renewals, forcing transgender people to use outdated, incorrect passports and creating unnecessary hardship and risk.
A transgender person who has legally changed their gender marker on other identification documents should not have to submit additional proof or face barriers when renewing their passport. Preventing updates forces people to carry identification that does not match their lived identity, leading to distress, harassment, and even denial of travel.
The State Department recognized the importance of self-identification in 2021 by allowing gender marker changes without medical documentation. Reversing this policy would be a harmful step backward for civil rights.
Learn more about the proposed changes and take action using this tool created by Forefront Church NYC:
Deadline: March 17 and 20 to submit comments
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MOREProtest plans to cut Healthcare and Education
Community Voices Heard (CVH) has two upcoming opportunities to engage:
CVH is joining the Working Families Party, Make the Road, and other allies for a march and rally on March 15th at 11 AM at Foley Square to protest plans to cut trillions of dollars from essential federal programs like Medicaid, SNAP, public education, and workers’ rights enforcement.
Tell Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and our representatives to support the Invest in Our New York platform and public housing funding.
SEND THEM AN EMAIL HERESupport the New York For All Act
Make the Road NY needs your help to pass the New York for All Act.
With President Donald Trump promising to tear families apart, devastate immigrant communities, and carry out mass deportations, it is even more critical that our local and state laws are resilient enough to protect our immigrant neighbors.
Call your state assembly member and senator to demand they pass the NY4All Act during this legislative session!