NEWSMAKERS JUL-DEC 2018
COPS/IAF: The Launch that reinvented citizen organizing for power
Amid the social unrest of the Vietnam War and at the height of the Watergate scandal, members of a new grassroots community group demanded better drainage from the city.
That was the start of the journey for Communities Organized for Public Service, a church-based group that redefined San Antonio politics by energizing Hispanic voters. Story here.
That was the start of the journey for Communities Organized for Public Service, a church-based group that redefined San Antonio politics by energizing Hispanic voters. Story here.
City of Jackson, MS water Billing messed up
Working Together Jackson/IAF Steps in
Results of first two-day “Water Bill Fix It Days” event are in. WTJ leaders and the City of Jackson Team processed 137 people, 232 additional people signed in to be helped next week. This is much needed in the Jackson communities. WTJ and The City of Jackson will continue to come out into the communities where the people can receive the help they need. Look out for WTJ’s upcoming “Water Bill Fix It Days” in January.
Washington Interfaith Network/IAF and the Workers together:
Public transit system in Washington DC struggles with privatization Union
employees are fighting the effort in favor of better benefits and working conditions, as well as keeping public costs down
“We got involved in the transit fight because it was wrong on so many levels. It was an attack on the livelihood of middle-class folks, in particular, black middle class because the majority of the drivers are African American,” said the Rev Lionel Edmonds, a pastor at Mount Lebanon Baptist church and co-founder of the Washington Interfaith Network.
“Most of the lines being talked about cutting are in poor areas,” added Edmonds. “They say it’s going to make the city better but they never say who it’s going to hurt.”
“Most of the lines being talked about cutting are in poor areas,” added Edmonds. “They say it’s going to make the city better but they never say who it’s going to hurt.”
Illinois metro iaf champions mental health care
How a new governor, J.B. Pritzker, can go to bat for the mentally ill right away
We in the Illinois Metro Industrial Areas Foundation are calling on Pritzker to champion and help hospitals franchise a new generation of crisis stabilization units in our state. They work. They’ve proven effective in other states. They relieve emergency rooms and prisons of the unbearable pressure of overcrowding. And they give those with mental illness the care they desperately need. Full story here.
Jersey City Together/IAf drives agenda forward
Concrete progress made working with our elected officials like Mayor Steven Fulop. Pledge to press forward on issues like affordable housing, safety & gun violence, and education funding. Drive to bring officials like Governor Phil Murphy to the table.
Noteworthy:
Congresswoman Elect Ann Kirkpatrick keeps priority commitment to Begin work with PCIC/IAF
LCU/IAF Celebrates Construction on $30 Million 185-bed affordable nursing home in Lake County
Giving Their Devil his due
“We are deeply gratified that Judge Pauley ruled in favor of our revised consent decree,” said Rev. Getulio Cruz, Pastor of Monte Sion Christian Church on the Lower East Side and a Metro IAF leader. He said “strong independent oversight” by the new ombudsman that “will now be put in place will mean that public housing tenants in my congregation and all throughout New York will have a fighting chance of living in mold-free apartments.”
When progress dragged, residents appealed to the court, which in 2015 appointed a special master to oversee the creation of new procedures and protocols to deal with pervasive mold issues, according to Pauley's opinion. Then in February, NYCHA said it could not fully implement its new "Mold Busters" program until 2020, long after the settlement was scheduled to expire on April 17, 2018. So the plaintiffs said they would seek relief from the court, unless NYCHA agreed to a revised settlement, according to the opinion.
After months of negotiations and further revisions, Pauley accepted the new agreement. (AMNY story here) His decision was heralded by Metro IAF, a collection of houses of worship and nonprofits working to improve the city. Two of its member organizations, Manhattan Together and South Bronx Churches, worked with tenants on the lawsuit. |
‘These children are barefoot. In diapers. Choking on tear gas.’
Hyde-Smith Attended All-White ‘Seg Academy’ to Avoid Integration
Big Year for IAF on gun industry accountability
-- Shareholder votes for gun safety resolutions at both publicly traded gun companies -- AOBC and Sturm Ruger -- through our partnership with ICCR.
-- Heads of Major Cities Chiefs support our campaign and join in demanding a safety plan from AOBC.
-- Dick's Sporting Goods commitment to sell smart guns once they're available.
-- Continued local & regional innovation on crime gun data, etc.
-- Episcopal church vote to engage/not divest.
-- Agreement with top pols in Milwaukee to invite smart-gun conference
-- Heads of Major Cities Chiefs support our campaign and join in demanding a safety plan from AOBC.
-- Dick's Sporting Goods commitment to sell smart guns once they're available.
-- Continued local & regional innovation on crime gun data, etc.
-- Episcopal church vote to engage/not divest.
-- Agreement with top pols in Milwaukee to invite smart-gun conference
State & Private Investors on Gun Industry; Call for Additional States & Investors to Join Effort “Principles for a Responsible Civilian Firearms Industry” are important additional step in mounting pressure on gun industry to take responsible action on gun distribution & safety technology to curtail massive losses due to gun violence
"We are pleased to see these state and private investors join the growing movement demanding change from the gun industry to address illegal gun sales, sloppy gun distribution practices that lead to gun theft, and creating new safe gun technologies,” said Rev. Anthony Bennett, Pastor of the Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, CT and national co-chair of Metro IAF’s Do Not Stand Idly Bycampaign. “To have states from California to Connecticut joining forces with the likes of State Street is significant. We welcome them to this struggle.”
Big Win for IAF in Louisiana: East Baton Rouge Metro Council agrees to hard-fought compromise on industrial tax exemption guidelines
Together BR won a resolution at Metro Council last night establishing STANDARDS for industrial tax exemptions. It means companies can't get tax breaks from now on unless they create jobs. And no more exemptions for routine costs of business! This was a 2-year, heads-up fight with citizens facing off against the whole corporate subsidy lobby. And the citizens won, 10 votes to 2!
Why Louisiana Stays Poor
The video is the result of three years of research into the "Louisiana Paradox."
Louisiana is a state with extraordinary wealth and natural resources. Why do we consistently rank last or close to last in the country for social and economic outcomes?
What's sabotaging our state's economy? And what can we do to change it?
Watch on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWTic9btP38&feature=youtu.be
Louisiana is a state with extraordinary wealth and natural resources. Why do we consistently rank last or close to last in the country for social and economic outcomes?
What's sabotaging our state's economy? And what can we do to change it?
Watch on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWTic9btP38&feature=youtu.be
VOICE's 2018 Get Out the Vote Campaign - Building Power in We the People
RECENT VICTORIES & PROGRESS TEXAS IAF TARGETS 19 HOTTEST STATE, FEDERAL RACES IN DALLAS, HOUSTON, AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO SUBURBS
Drilling Down: What OTOC/IAF did to drive medicaid expansion in Nebraska
Rereading Alinsky in Baltimore: Why broad-based organizing still matters in an age of hashtag activism
By Nick Bowlin
IAF Votes
Like VOICE in Virginia IAF leaders all over the country are walking neighborhoods, phone banking, driving voters to the polls
Faith Leaders Organized by TMO/Houston Invoke Love, denounce hate
iaf Network responds: message ripples across the country
John Ogletree, pastor of the First Metropolitan Church in Northwest Houston, said the reason hate is heightened at this moment in the country is because “it comes from the top and goes down.” He explained that both negative values like hate and positive ones like love are learned just as taught by parents at home, by teachers at schools, by religious leaders at community temples.
“Right now, people need to hear a message of love and anti-hate, and that’s why we have to raise up as pastors, as civic leaders, as politicians to stand up against hate,” Ogletree said.
“Right now, people need to hear a message of love and anti-hate, and that’s why we have to raise up as pastors, as civic leaders, as politicians to stand up against hate,” Ogletree said.
2,000 DAI/IAF Leaders Descend on Hottest State, Congressional Races in Texas
On a Sunday, October 14th, two thousand leaders and parishioners from Dallas Area Interfaith institutions assembled at the Christian Chapel Temple of Faith to challenge candidates from the Texas Tribune’s 2018 Hotlist, including Texas House Districts 105, 107, 114, and 115, and US Congressional District 32. Republican and Democratic candidates for Coppell, Richardson, and Dallas Independent School District School Board positions also participated.
At the assembly, DAI leaders publicly challenged each candidate to, if elected, commit to working with them on immigration, job training, expansion of healthcare, payday lending, and public education. All participating candidates, including local Republican candidates, publicly committed to partner with DAI leaders in supporting and / or crafting policy in these areas. One journalist reported that “in a city that’s sharply segregated by race and class, the forum was a rare example of cohesive pluralism.”
At the assembly, DAI leaders publicly challenged each candidate to, if elected, commit to working with them on immigration, job training, expansion of healthcare, payday lending, and public education. All participating candidates, including local Republican candidates, publicly committed to partner with DAI leaders in supporting and / or crafting policy in these areas. One journalist reported that “in a city that’s sharply segregated by race and class, the forum was a rare example of cohesive pluralism.”
After synagogue shooting, Mississippi IAF leaders call for end to hate, anti-Semitism
Jewish, Islamic and Christian leaders prayed for tolerance in the same synagogue that members of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi bombed in 1967. The house of Rabbi Perry Nussbaum, the temple's then leader, was also bombed.
“Although this horrific attack did not take place in Mississippi, we understand that Mississippi is not far from the history where terror was used to incite fear and where people were murdered because of their differences,” Working Together Jackson said in a statement. Story here.
“Although this horrific attack did not take place in Mississippi, we understand that Mississippi is not far from the history where terror was used to incite fear and where people were murdered because of their differences,” Working Together Jackson said in a statement. Story here.
Stories of Gun Violence Grip Candidates, Community On Campaign Trail At CONECT Forum
At the assembly, which was organized by Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, each candiate was asked a question then instructed to respond with a "yes" or "no." Wooden's opponent, Republican Thad Gray, did not attend the event, making Wooden the only candidate present running for treasurer.
"Mr. Wooden, if elected, will you commit to using the state's shareholder influence in an 'invest and engage' strategy to leverage gun companies into making significant and measurable improvements in gun safety?"
"Mr. Wooden, if elected, will you commit to using the state's shareholder influence in an 'invest and engage' strategy to leverage gun companies into making significant and measurable improvements in gun safety?"
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Accountability ACtion: Big, Impactful
“Faith in action” — that’s how some members of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization described the group’s pre-election meeting held Monday evening in Roxbury.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez, and Suffolk County District Attorney candidates Rachael Rollins and Michael Maloney addressed more than 1,000 members of the group, who made it clear the politicians would be held accountable for their campaign promises.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez, and Suffolk County District Attorney candidates Rachael Rollins and Michael Maloney addressed more than 1,000 members of the group, who made it clear the politicians would be held accountable for their campaign promises.
Teachers, Together Baton Rouge attack Exxon Mobil Tax give away
“Teachers would like to be compensated for what we do,” said teacher Patricia Onyejekwe, explaining why she voted with her coworkers for the walkout. “We put a lot of love and craft into what we do.”
Besides better pay, employee groups are also calling for smaller class sizes, better technology, new school buses, updated school buildings and early childhood education.
They joined forces with the faith-based group Together Baton Rouge, which has spent years railing against the ITEP program. The idea is to use the savings from rejecting ITEP requests to better fund public education.
ExxonMobil has thus far applied for five exemptions under the new state ITEP rules.
Exxon Mobil plays the victim. Here's their response:
"We believe this meeting is another attempt by Together Baton Rouge to use citizens to promote their agenda. Together Baton Rouge, an Industrial Areas Foundation affiliate, continues to single out ExxonMobil. Although ExxonMobil is not the only company with pending 2017 ITEP applications and there is no current, local vote up for consideration."
Besides better pay, employee groups are also calling for smaller class sizes, better technology, new school buses, updated school buildings and early childhood education.
They joined forces with the faith-based group Together Baton Rouge, which has spent years railing against the ITEP program. The idea is to use the savings from rejecting ITEP requests to better fund public education.
ExxonMobil has thus far applied for five exemptions under the new state ITEP rules.
Exxon Mobil plays the victim. Here's their response:
"We believe this meeting is another attempt by Together Baton Rouge to use citizens to promote their agenda. Together Baton Rouge, an Industrial Areas Foundation affiliate, continues to single out ExxonMobil. Although ExxonMobil is not the only company with pending 2017 ITEP applications and there is no current, local vote up for consideration."
VOICE Accountability ACtion
- “No one in this country should be homeless. We had over 1200 veterans, homeless in Virginia, and Virginia was the first to end homelessness for Veterans.” Governor Northam on Affordable Housing.
- We cannot have a justice system that determines people’s freedom based on whether they can afford bail. The practices of bail in Virginia raises constitutional concerns, and I look forward to working with V.O.I.C.E on solutions! - Attorney General Herring on Cash Bail Reform.
Big accountability ActionS: Metro Denver, Metro Lv
Governor Hopefuls Weigh In on Medicaid, Homelessness at Forum Organized by Faith-Based Groups, Nevada Independent [pdf]
Nevada Governor Candidates Speak at Las Vegas Forum, Las Vegas Review-Journal[pdf]
3 Candidates for Nevada Governor Pledge to Protect Medicaid, Associated Press [pdf]
Escucharon inquietudes de la ciudadania en foro comunitario, El Tiempo
Nevada Governor Candidates Speak at Las Vegas Forum, Las Vegas Review-Journal[pdf]
3 Candidates for Nevada Governor Pledge to Protect Medicaid, Associated Press [pdf]
Escucharon inquietudes de la ciudadania en foro comunitario, El Tiempo
Historic African-American Community Center opens (The last of Four!)
In April 2007, they were able to receive full funding for the centers’ renovation from the council after the gathering of over 1,000 Montgomery county citizens, from all different backgrounds for a call to action, according to a AIM press release.
“It wasn’t just my voice or your voice,” Selby said. “It was all of these voices saying this needs to be done, and that’s when it got done. Without AIM I don’t see that it would ever have been accomplished because without that collective voice, nobody was listening.” Story here.
“It wasn’t just my voice or your voice,” Selby said. “It was all of these voices saying this needs to be done, and that’s when it got done. Without AIM I don’t see that it would ever have been accomplished because without that collective voice, nobody was listening.” Story here.
Colorado IAF Stories from the Front:
https://www.facebook.com/IAFCO/videos/344968996254963/
Westword Reports on Colorado IAF Accountability Action
Nehemiah Homes: The American Dream: One Block Can Make All The Difference
NPR: Nehemiah Homes/EBC/IAF: A stunning success story well told here.
More than 1,100 interfaith residents unite, pledge to make Anne Arundel County a better place
Gubernatorial, superintendent candidates attend VOICE (OKlahoma IAF) forum
Chicago: gun Manufacturer in Metro IAF Crosshairs
Connecticut: Local Activists Buy 'Gun Stock' To Hold Former Smith & Wesson Company Accountable To Community
On Tuesday, two dozen people gathered inside of the Chicago Sinai Congregation, 15 W. Delaware Pl., to listen in to American Outdoor Brands Corporation’s annual board meeting. The group listened intently before breaking out in cheers as the corporation, which produces the popular Smith & Wesson firearm, passed a resolution forcing the board to increase its gun safety measures.
“It was clear the only way to really engage the manufacturer of guns — guns that are used in mass shootings — is to be an investor and an owner.” Alec Harris, 55, said. “Through my ownership, I try to impact the decisions this company makes.”
The Do Not Stand Idly By campaign, launched by faith leaders and citizens part of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, wants to put the onus on the gun manufacturers to ensure their highest priority is on safety and responsible sales from distributors. The nation-wide campaign bypasses the legislature to curb gun violence by buying up shares in the leading gun manufacturers. Once a person has shares in the company, they are given a voice to influence the direction the company moves in.
“It was clear the only way to really engage the manufacturer of guns — guns that are used in mass shootings — is to be an investor and an owner.” Alec Harris, 55, said. “Through my ownership, I try to impact the decisions this company makes.”
The Do Not Stand Idly By campaign, launched by faith leaders and citizens part of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, wants to put the onus on the gun manufacturers to ensure their highest priority is on safety and responsible sales from distributors. The nation-wide campaign bypasses the legislature to curb gun violence by buying up shares in the leading gun manufacturers. Once a person has shares in the company, they are given a voice to influence the direction the company moves in.
PCIC Accountability Action: Issues are the Focus For 750 Leaders
The Pima County Interfaith Council shows its power to make a difference. The council, made up of over 30 faith communities and local nonprofits, is part of a larger state community of faith organizations representing a broad spectrum of people. Working together, we have a much stronger impact on important issues than each can have alone. Story here: http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/2018/10/01/candidates-state-case-election-inside-packed-pima-county-forum/
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IAF To Launch New Organization In MARYLAND
Anne Arundel County Kick Starts in Annapolis:
Connecting Together & Taking Action! THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 7-8:30pm FIRST CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH 1800 Apostle Johnson Way Annapolis, MD 21401
The Anne Arundel County IAF Sponsoring Committee is a strictly non-partisan faith-based "organization of organizations" made up of 22 member and friends institutions representing thousands of residents, working together to build community power so that people's voices are represented, and solutions presented, at the places where decisions are made. We build power by forming deep relationships within our organizations and our communities and identifying and developing leaders in their own communities who can lead and take action. We never act "for" anyone, but always with. We do not endorse candidates or work with or for any political parties. Working with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest faith-based community organizing effort in the country, we are part of a network of 60 affiliate organizations, and will be the fourth in Maryland -- joining Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (BUILD), Action In Montgomery (AIM), and People Acting Together in Howard (PATH) (more here). We remain focused on Anne Arundel County, but benefit from the leadership development and training we get alongside other affiliates.
“Lead paint, poisonous mold, contaminated water tanks — and now, toxic air for families who live in public housing,” said the Rev. David Brawley, leader of Metro IAF. “Under Mayor de Blasio, half a million black and Latino New Yorkers are getting sicker and angrier.” Story here.
Brawley called on the mayor to order immediate testing of the entire building “and implement common-sense air filtration and circulation solutions. It's time to make all the needed repairs to make public housing safe for our children, families & seniors.”
IAF in New Orleans
Drives Business tax accountability on education
At least 50 members of Together New Orleans attended last week's meeting. Hollygrove resident Barrington Gidney, a pastor of Level Ground Community Church and a member of Together New Orleans, said the resolution shows the community is willing to put a "hedge of protection around the financial investment of our children's educational futures."
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti signs on to IAF Gun Violence Initiative "Do Not Stand Idly By"
Garcetti not only became the first mayor of a major city to sign on to the national IAF-initiated “Do Not Stand Idly By” campaign for safer guns, he additionally pledged to persuade other mayors to sign on.
It happened in texas!
IAF gun violence initiative "Do Not Stand Idly By" gains support in Houston
HPD Joins Do Not Stand Idly By Campaign, Which Aims to Bring Down Gun Violence by Upping Gun Industry Standards, CW39 Houston
Houston Might Join Campaign for Gun Safety Focusing on Manufacturer, Houston Public Media
Lanzan Una Campaña Enfocada en Prevenir la Violencia con Armas de Fuego en Houston, Univisión
Houston Might Join Campaign for Gun Safety Focusing on Manufacturer, Houston Public Media
Lanzan Una Campaña Enfocada en Prevenir la Violencia con Armas de Fuego en Houston, Univisión
The Baton Rouge metro council approved $250K in general fund revenue as part of a supplemental budget appropriation. (A motion from an opponent to approve all the other items in the budget request but strip out the grocery gap funding died for lack of a second.)
The Mayor's office, in public testimony, made clear this was the first installment in a 3-year commitment and that they also supported and had identified CDBG funds to get the total funding to $1.8m over 3 years.
East Brooklyn Congregations’ standing-room-capacity assembly on Sunday, July 15, celebrated key victories with New York City and the courts on senior housing and repairs at NYCHA housing
San Antonio Archbishop demands action on Immigration at COPs/metro Assembly; Tough language welcomed by large crowd
credit Michael Sykes and Axios with following the Money: Child migrant housing and detention industry now worth $1 billion
AZ IAF Plays Big as "INvest in ed" campaign delivers: 270,000 signatures turned in (well over the required 150,642); braces for all out political war
metro Iaf hammers away:
Inside NYC’s Public Housing, Mold and Neglect Are a Dangerous Combo
The New York City Housing Authority has failed to comply with court orders to remedy unhealthy living conditions. But tenants and advocates refuse to let the nation’s biggest residential landlord off the hook.
June 25, 2018 Nicole Greenfield
June 25, 2018 Nicole Greenfield
COPA/IAF: Thriving Families Campaign
The separation of young children from their parents at the border violates a fundamental principle of the American and Abrahamic (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) traditions – the sacredness of the family. COPA stands with our IAF sister organizations across the US-Mexico border in calling for (1) the reunification of these families, (2) an end to the practice of detaining families, and (3) serious attention to the health (physical and mental) needs of these children.
Being a country that is welcoming to immigrants goes beyond how they are treated at the border, however. Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties are home to over 180,000 foreign-born residents. We let these people know that they are welcome NOT ONLY through symbolic gestures, but with the quality of life and the opportunities they are offered.
Being a country that is welcoming to immigrants goes beyond how they are treated at the border, however. Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties are home to over 180,000 foreign-born residents. We let these people know that they are welcome NOT ONLY through symbolic gestures, but with the quality of life and the opportunities they are offered.
Bastrop/IAF Charges: Bastrop Sheriff Maurice Cook targeted Latino neighborhood
On Monday, dozens of Stony Point residents and Bastrop Interfaith organizers stood outside the church and said they felt targeted by Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook’s “zero tolerance” traffic enforcement operation, which led to 24 people being arrested June 23 in the area around the neighborhood. Thirteen of them were funneled into immigration proceedings.
“By this action, which appears to have been against immigrants, the sheriff has not increased people’s confidence in law enforcement, which is what we had sought,” said Edie Clark, a Bastrop Interfaith leader who had talked with Cook about policing in the area before the operation. “This causes us serious concern and raises questions of credibility in that dialogue. We ask Sheriff Cook to meet with leaders of Bastrop Interfaith to develop a strategy to heal the community’s broken confidence.” More here.
“By this action, which appears to have been against immigrants, the sheriff has not increased people’s confidence in law enforcement, which is what we had sought,” said Edie Clark, a Bastrop Interfaith leader who had talked with Cook about policing in the area before the operation. “This causes us serious concern and raises questions of credibility in that dialogue. We ask Sheriff Cook to meet with leaders of Bastrop Interfaith to develop a strategy to heal the community’s broken confidence.” More here.
IAF in Shreveport Louisiana:
Fights Crime, Backs Children and Job Training
A multi-faith coalition of Shreveport clergy honored those murdered in the city this year and offered solutions to curb the violence.
Members of Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith presented their plans during a press conference Monday on the front lawn of St. Rest Baptist Church. Clergy addressed the audience while Interfaith members held up signs listing the name, age, sex and date of death for 16 people killed in Shreveport since January. More here.
Members of Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith presented their plans during a press conference Monday on the front lawn of St. Rest Baptist Church. Clergy addressed the audience while Interfaith members held up signs listing the name, age, sex and date of death for 16 people killed in Shreveport since January. More here.