Are you feeling overwhelmed by the news these past few weeks? A lot has happened. The NYC 2024-2025 budget passed with mixed results. Funding was restored for many key city services after months of intense advocacy by a huge coalition of New Yorkers and community organizations. But cuts remained for far too many programs and the budget contains a record-breaking $12B in police spending and $225M for building a cop city training facility in Queens.
Despite tireless organizing, Jamaal Bowman lost the NY-16 Democratic primary. We’re incredibly proud of the work we did alongside a broad coalition of organizations. About 1,000 SURJ members nationally supported the Bowman campaign and SURJ NYC and SURJ Westchester anchored canvassing efforts that reached over 3,000 households. We put up a good fight – AIPAC and other super-PACs had to spend over $23M to beat us.
On the national level, multiple Supreme Court decisions this week have terrible implications for democracy and November is fast approaching.
It’s easy to feel paralyzed and overwhelmed by all of this. If you’re feeling that way, know that we’re there with you. But we also know that, as Joan Baez said, “action is the antidote to despair.” We will sustain each other to keep fighting. Come to our chapter meeting this Thursday July 11th to find the community you need to move from overwhelm to action. We look forward to seeing you there!
Onward,
SURJ NYC