Take Action TodaY
Dignity Not Detention Phone Zap
Tuesday, August 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join the Dignity Not Detention campaign as we call on New York lawmakers to hold a special session to pass Dignity Not Detention. We will also make calls in support of individual release campaigns as we work to end New York’s complicity in ICE detention.
Future Dates:
All Out for ALlan Feliz!
Wednesday, August 20, 12:00pm
One Police Plaza
Join the Feliz family to show NYPD Commissioner Tisch and Mayor Adams that New Yorkers refuse to accept police violence and their corrupt cover-ups.
Allan Feliz was a beloved son, brother, father, neighbor, and friend killed by NYPD Lt. Jonathan Rivera during an unjust traffic stop in 2019. For nearly six years, Allan’s family has endured a constant barrage of lies, delays, and obstructions by the NYPD and Adams administration. On July 3rd, Commissioner Tisch released a preliminary decision to protect Rivera — even after her own deputy commissioner found him guilty and recommended he be fired.
We need YOU to stand with the Feliz family this Wednesday 8/20 at 12pm at 1 Police Plaza, to tell Commish Tisch to stop protecting killer cops!
Immigration Justice Book Club
Wednesday, August 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join members of the Immigration Justice Working Group in reading Mae Ngai’s, Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. This history of the concept of “illegal migration” in the United States traces the effects of the 20th century’s legal regime of immigration restriction on how we conceive of citizenship, race, and state power today. For this meeting, we're reading Part 4 and the Foreword (225-271, xxi-1).
Dignity Not Detention Letter Writing
Sunday, August 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join the Dignity Not Detention campaign on Zoom and write to folks currently in immigration detention. These relationships are the foundation of our campaign, and a meaningful way to show solidarity and support the people most impacted by surveillance, detention, and deportation. No prior letter writing experience is needed. Register via Google or Cryptpad.
Indigenous Solidarity Book Club
Monday, September 8, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join the Indigenous Solidarity Working Group as we discuss chapters from Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Together we'll learn about de-colonial practices from Indigenous people and weave those into our organizing. Show up as you are each month and let's spend some time and grow together. In our next meeting we will be discussing Chapter 3: “The Gift of Strawberries.”
Order the book from an Indigenous-owned bookstore here, or let us know if you need help getting a copy.
Additional Meetings:
Monday, October 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm — Chapter 4: “An Offering”
Monday, November 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm — Chapter 5: “Asters and Goldenrod”
Monday, December 8, 7:00pm - 8:00pm — Chapter 6: “Learning the Grammar of Animacy”
SURJ for Zohran Canvass Team Kickoff
Saturday, September 6, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Tompkins Square Park
Zohran Mamdani’s landslide victory in the Democratic primary took the political establishment by surprise. Now Cuomo, Adams, and their billionaire backers are scrambling to put up a fight. Zohran’s plan for a more affordable NYC has generated incredible energy across the city, but this election is not a done deal.
Join SURJ NYC for our Fall Canvassing Kickoff for Zohran Mamdani.
No prior experience needed. We're excited to meet you!
Land Stewardship Event
Saturday, September 27, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Optional Potluck: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Inwood Hill Park
Join SURJ NYC's Indigenous Solidarity Working Group in Inwood Hill Park (Mohican, Wappinger, Schaghticoke, and Munsee Lenape land) to learn about and care for the land we New Yorkers call home. We'll start by learning about the local ecology of Inwood Hill Park from NYC Parks ecologist Georgina Cullman. Then we will have a park cleanup together as an offering of gratitude to this land.
Following the cleanup, we hope you'll stay for a celebratory potluck at noon! Bring your own lunch, and a snack to share.
Call for a Special Session to Pass Dignity Not Detention
The recent federal budget bill increases funding for ICE by billions of dollars and here in NYC we are also seeing the federal government expand its detention capacity by allowing ICE to detain our community members at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Immigrants should be able to lead open lives, participate in their communities, provide for their families, and access health care without fear or intimidation. Yet, our state lawmakers have failed to pass a single bill protecting immigrants who are at risk of cruel and inhumane ICE detention. Contact New York leadership and urge them to reconvene for a special session to pass Dignity Not Detention Act (S.316/A.4181) now.
Raise Funds for Detained Community Members
The Dignity Not Detention campaign is raising funds for detained community members. Funds will be used to support the material needs of detained folks and their loved ones, while we collectively work for the complete end to ICE detention in New York State.
Help Los Angeles Stand Up For Immigrant Families
Los Angeles has been courageously standing up for immigrant families, and has been met with a reign of terror from Trump and the National Guard. We have an opportunity to support groups on the ground doing critical work, as well as move money to jail support. White People for Black Lives, SURJ’s chapter in LA, has shared these trusted accounts for folks to follow and support as events unfold his week:
Chicanco Self-Determination - have been on the ground leading on immigration for years and are leading some of the protests
Stop ICE - a national group playing an important role in LA right now
Ask Officials To Reject Funding mass Detention and Deportation
There are billions of dollars that could go towards immigration enforcement that separates families, disrupts communities’ entire social and economic infrastructure, and commits countless human rights abuses. This funding could be used for vital programs like food stamps, medicaid, and student loans. Urge your senators to say NO to more funding for Trump’s mass detention and deportations using this tool:
Help Protect Immigrant New Yorkers from Mass Deportation!
Urge your elected officials to pass the New York For All Act! NY4All (S.2235 Gounardes / A.3506 Reyes) helps immigrant New Yorkers lead freer lives and take care of family, preserves state and local resources for community safety, ensures that local resources cannot be diverted to carry out ICE’s cruelty, and protects immigrant families. With the end of the legislative session fast approaching, now is a crucial time to put pressure on our representatives!
Move Money For Palestine
Donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians
To support ongoing organizing in the US for Palestinian liberation and against Israeli occupation and apartheid, donate and consider making a monthly financial commitment to Palestine Legal, the Adalah Justice Project, Jewish Voice for Peace, and IfNotNow.
Financially Support SURJ NYC!
Power = organized people + organized money.
SURJ NYC needs your help to fight racism in New York. We raise money for growing our work with trainings and technology, providing things like food and childcare at meetings, and funding partner organizations fighting structural white supremacy in our communities. Please join us in this movement by donating today.