SURJ NYC is turning 10 years old in December!
Do you want to hear the story of how SURJ NYC began? It all started in 2015 at a workshop led by then SURJ National director Dara Silverman. A Facebook page was created, and the beginning of the SURJ NYC mailing list was jotted down on some bits of notebook paper. Then, in June, a smaller group of ten met at an apartment on the Upper West Side to engage in deep conversation. After a few more meetings in different locations, including a brunch with SURJ National co-founder Carla Wallace, a few other folks joined and everyone agreed to support a National Day of Action against police violence in October.
By the winter, SURJ NYC was ready to launch! The first ever Chapter Meeting, also known as “SURJ NYC Big Meeting” (not kidding, this was at the top of the agenda) happened at Project Reach in Chinatown on December 16, 2015. The goals of this meeting were much the same as what we strive to do in each chapter meeting to this day. Goals from that first agenda:
People should connect with others and feel informed about and connected to SURJ
People should have a clear idea of how they can get involved immediately
Organizing Committee should feel supported/not alone in work moving forward
A lot of impactful organizing has happened since then, including SURJ NYC’s first foray into deep canvassing in strategic areas in summer 2016, the large meeting in the church in November 2016 that many of our current members attended and still talk about, forming working groups with enduring relationships with accountability partners, and engaging more deeply in electoral work.
Ten years later, SURJ NYC has grown significantly, and we want to celebrate just that! Whether you’re currently active in SURJ NYC, have only been around for a little while, or you want to reconnect after some time away, join us for a reflective and celebratory event on December 4, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. We'll learn more about the history of SURJ NYC, share memories, celebrate our work over the years, and have a cozy time together.
If you want to share a story (or poem, song, or anything else) about what SURJ NYC has meant to you, fill out this form.
See you there!