Saturday, October 19th

 Hello ENJAN members,

Attached is the official flyer for the 2024 ENJAN gathering! 

On Saturday, October 19th, we'll be meeting at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Library (43 Gill Street, Kingston). We'll also be live-streaming the gathering through Zoom. The program starts at noon and goes until 5pm, and ENJAN-Kingston will be providing lunch. 

There's a QR code on the flyer to register, but you can also do so through this link:

https://forms.gle/w8dMPBvPTcfTms9z5

This year's theme is Decriminalizing Mental Illness, so we'll have speakers on:

• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program
• Natural Helpers Peer-to-Peer program
• Treatment Not Jail and Daniel's Law legislation
• Panel Discussion providing inside perspectives on Mental Illness and Incarceration

There will also be musical entertainment provided by Callie Jayne Mackenzie and Stephen R Johnson.

We hope you join us!

Democracy During Detention Act

 

We want to spread the word about another important New York State Bill that ENJAN is supporting. The bill is called the "Democracy During Detention Act" (Senate bill S6875 / Assembly bill A9612). The bill is also known as the "Voting in Jails Bill". The proposed new law is written to ensure that incarcerated individuals who have a right to vote have a clear path to register to vote and to vote in elections. Any incarcerated individual, who is not incarcerated for a felony conviction, has the right to vote. The law makes it explicit that local Boards of Elections are to be tasked with ensuring the people who are eligible to vote, but who are detained in jails, can register and vote.

If you are interested in learning more about this bill and how you can help get the bill passed, you can watch this advocacy training video: Let New York Vote Training Session

We have also attached two other documents that may be of interest:

1) A Summary of the Voting in Jails (Democracy During Detention) Bill

2) Election Protection Partner Document

We encourage everyone to reach out to your local legislators to tell them that you support passage of this bill. Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

"The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Why It Matters Today."

ENJAN Members,

We wanted to make everyone aware of an upcoming event at Dutchess County Community College. Pulitzer Prize winning author Dr. Heather A. Thompson will be giving a talk on "The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Why It Matters Today." The event will take place at the James & Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Hall on Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. You can read more about the event here:

https://www.sunydutchess.edu/about/facts/calendar.html#event-details/a29f758b-f54c-431f-a0e2-38605839d295

Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

Black history discussions Oct 5 and Oct. 10

 

Black Americans, Civil Rights, And The Roosevelts, 1932-1962 Saturday, October 5, 4 pm FDR Presidential Library Registration required.   The Library's annual Paul M. Sparrow Lecture, featuring Basil Smikle, PhD, will focus on the Roosevelt-era foundations of the Civil Rights Movement. Smikle, a political strategist and policy analyst, is a Library Trustee, and Columbia University School of Professional Studies Professor of Practice. In addition to the in-person discussion, this program will also be streamed live to the official FDR Library YouTube and Facebook accounts. Registered attendees can visit the Library's special exhibition, Black Americans, Civil Rights, and the Roosevelts, free of charge before the program, from 2-4 pm.

Register here Redlining in Poughkeepsie Thursday, October 10, 6:30 pm Sadie Peterson Delaney Library Registration required.   Dr. Jen Brown, Esq. leads a discussion on the local history of redlining, the discriminatory practice of denying services like mortgages and loans based on race or ethnicity, in Poughkeepsie.   Register here

Kingston, NY at Vanburen Park

 

2024 Fight for Freedom Fund Luncheon

Brian Robinson asked that we pass on the following information about the 2024 Fight for Freedom Fund Luncheon hosted by the Northern Dutchess NAACP on September 14th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Here is an excerpt from an email sent out by the NAACP about this event:

"The Freedom Fund Luncheon committee has been keeping busy planning the event on 9/14. Please see the below flyer for more details on this premier event, and contact freedomfund@ndnaacp.org if you have any questions or comments. If you are able, consider attending the event, for which tickets are still available." "And if you own a business or know someone who does, and are looking for ways to promote that business in the community, journal ads are available (see the attached document for more details)."

 

We have attached the flyer for this event, along with a PDF file with information on business sponsorships. To obtain tickets, you can contact Brian by emailing: brian.robinson@equitablefuture.org. There is also an option to purchase tickets that can be gifted to others who would like to attend, but cannot afford to purchase a ticket. Thank you.

 

The ENJAN Curators

Penny Hess, chair of the African People's Solidarity Committee

Activist Radio has the following guest on this week:

GUEST: Penny Hess, chair of the African People's Solidarity Committee and author of "Overturning the Culture of Violence," talks about white reparations to African people as well as the racist genocide in Gaza.
https://www.uhurusolidarity.org/blog/road-to-socialism-painted-black/

Activist Radio can be heard: Thursdays 8-9 AM on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 FM at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Fridays 4-5 pm on WEFR 1700 AM in Fairmont, WV; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; Sundays 5-6 PM from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.live; and finally Mondays 11-12 noon on WCAA 107.3 FM in Albany, NY. Past programs are available as a podcast, or anytime on the web at ClassWars.org.

Thanks,

Fred
Activist Radio

BEACON PRISON BOOKS PROJECT

 ENJAN Members, 

Mark recently highlighted a local organization --- BEACON PRISON BOOKS PROJECT --- committed to bring books to incarcerated individuals in local area prisons. You can learn more about this organization by visiting their website:

https://prisonbooksproject.org/

Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

Help Preserve the African Roots Legacy

Dear Beloved Family and Cherished Community,

We warmly invite you to be a part of a meaningful journey with the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center. Your generosity will illuminate and enrich lives, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the diverse and vibrant cultures of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to nurture and share the rich tapestry of our history and culture. From engaging educational programs for children and teens to insightful adult workshops, our Library collection's treasures, and collaborative efforts with like-minded community groups, we are dedicated to promoting historical awareness, cultural vibrancy, civic participation, and social justice.

Every single contribution, no matter the size, is a powerful testament to your belief in our cause. Your donation is not just a gift; it's an investment in preserving and celebrating our shared heritage and in building a more informed, just, and connected community.

We invite you to extend your hand in partnership.

Please, embrace this opportunity to extend the ways that you make a difference. Donate today and join us in this vital mission. Your support is not just valued—it's essential.

Thank you.

DONATE

 

Juneteenth in Poughkeepsie

 

Organize to stop fascism

 

Activist Radio has the following guest on this week:

GUEST: Nina Farnia, professor at Albany Law School, co-founder of the International People's Tribunal on US Imperialism, and co-founder of the newly formed Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective, talks about free speech on campus.
https://mesana.org/pdf/CCR_Letter_to_Albany_Law_School.12.18.23.pdf

Activist Radio can be heard: Thursdays 8-9 AM on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 FM at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Fridays 4-5 pm on WEFR 1700 AM in Fairmont, WV; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; Sundays 5-6 PM from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.live; and finally Mondays 11-12 noon on WCAA 107.3 FM in Albany, NY. Past programs are available as a podcast, or anytime on the web at ClassWars.org.

ENJAN Members

The City of Poughkeepsie will be hosting a variety of events on Saturday, June 15th and Sunday June 16th to celebrate Juneteenth. The theme of the Juneteenth Jubilee is "Embracing Our Heritage, Empowering Our Future." For more information see the attached flyer or go to: https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/451/Juneteenth-Jubilee-Celebrating-Freedom-a

ENJAN will be tabling during the Sunday, June 16th celebration in Waryas Park, which runs from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. If anyone is interested in helping out at the ENJAN table any time between 1:00 pm through 5:00 pm, please send an email to Kevin Carswell at kgcarswell@gmail.com. Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

Working to elect Cornel West

Activist Radio has the following guest on this week:

GUEST: Jim Yanda, longtime civil rights activist and New York political organizer, talks about why he is working to elect Cornel West for president, and how his candidate exposes the US empire and its many wars of aggression in the Third World.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?534481-5/cornel-west-2024-presidential-bid

Activist Radio can be heard: Thursdays 8-9 AM on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 FM at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Fridays 4-5 pm on WEFR 1700 AM in Fairmont, WV; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; Sundays 5-6 PM from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.live; and finally Mondays 11-12 noon on WCAA 107.3 FM in Albany, NY. Past programs are available as a podcast, or anytime on the web at ClassWars.org.

Thanks,

Fred
Activist Radio
 

May 30 at 200 Mansion St.

 

STAND AGAINST RACISM POUGHKEEPSIE- Thursday 5/30/24 at 4pm at 200 Mansion St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (Exempt Firemen's Association)

Let's STAND AGAINST RACISM UNTIL JUSTICE JUST IS in POUGHKEEPSIE!

Our YWCA Ulster County Stand Against Racism Rally is back in POUGHKEEPSIE!  Thursday, May 30th, 4pm Exempt Firemen's Association (200 Mansion St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601). Let's discuss why it's crucial to fight against racism and protect our rights. Afterwards, we will stand in solidarity around the building. The time to unite is NOW! Contact comms@ywcaulstercounty.org or 845-338-6844 for details. Stay tuned for speaker updates!

Yours in Revolution,

Isis Benitez

 

GUEST: Claire Cousin, co-founder of the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, and the first Black woman elected to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors

Activist Radio has the following guest on this week:

GUEST: Claire Cousin, co-founder of the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, and the first Black woman elected to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, talks about her run for NY State Assembly and her support for Palestine.
https://clairecousinforassembly.com/

Activist Radio can be heard: Thursdays 8-9 AM on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 FM at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; Sundays 5-6 PM from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.live; and finally Mondays 11-12 noon on WCAA 107.3 FM in Albany, NY. Past programs are available as a podcast, or anytime on the web at ClassWars.org.

Thanks,

Fred
Activist Radio

Emergency Tenant Protection Act

My name is Caleb Garcia. I am a tenant here in Poughkeepsie and a member of the Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). ...

There is an important local political issue you may be interested in. The Poughkeepsie City Council is considering opting into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA), which would make Poughkeepsie New York's newest rent-controlled city and protect thousands from rent hikes and eviction. The landlords are already suing the city to try to get this law overturned, before they have even voted on it!

The city council is likely to vote on this law at the next common council meeting, Tuesday, May 21st, at 6:30PM. The address is 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

I would much appreciate it if you could ... encourage people to attend the city council meeting to show support. The Hudson Valley Property Owners Association (HVPOA) is sending in landlords and lawyers from out of town to this meeting, so we encourage all working class people to come and show solidarity, regardless of this residence. The working class is at war with the landlord class, and we need all the support we can get.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
 

GUEST: Athena Mutua, author, political activist and professor at University of Buffalo School of Law

 

Activist Radio has the following guest on this week:

GUEST: Athena Mutua, author, political activist and professor at University of Buffalo School of Law, talks about critical race and feminist legal theory and how these concepts are tied to civil rights and anti-imperialism.
https://www.buffalo.edu/news/experts/athena-mutua-faculty-expert-civil-rights-law-race-legal-justice.html

Activist Radio can be heard: Thursdays 8-9 AM on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 FM at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; Sundays 5-6 PM from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.live; and finally Mondays 11-12 noon on WCAA 107.3 FM in Albany, NY. Past programs are available as a podcast, or anytime on the web at ClassWars.org.

Emergency Shelter Community Stakeholders

The Emergency Shelter Community Stakeholders group cordially invites you to our next public meeting on Tuesday May 28, 2024, at 6 pm in the DC Legislature Chambers (22 Market St, 6th floor).

At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to hear from the County Executive office regarding the county's plan to renovate 26 Oakley St for emergency housing. The County Executive and her administration will outline their strategies for addressing homelessness within the county. This presents a valuable opportunity for community members to engage directly with decision-makers whose actions impact our community.

We encourage you and your fellow community members to attend this important meeting. Please feel free to spread the word to others who may be interested. We will also send out meeting reminders closer to the date.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me via email, text, or phone.

We look forward to seeing you on May 28 at 6 pm!

Thank you!

Jamar Cummings

843-367-3583

New Yorkers for Equal Rights

Learn how we can spread the word about the New York Constitutional Amendment Ballot Initiative to insure Equal Rights for All!

Learn more at New Yorkers for Equal Rights.
We need to get folks out to VOTE in November!

NYer’s Equal Rights for All
May 16th, 4:30-6:30 PM
Cunneen-Hackett Center
Poughkeepsie
Education & Networking Event
sponsored by the League of Women Voters Mid-Hudson Region
Parking Available

4:30 PM: Registration & Networking
5 PM: Speaker Erica Smitka, New York State League of Women Voters
presentation and Q&A
Light Refreshments

Matthew Carroll (he|him)

845-242-5259

Twitter: @mattasino

Instagram: @no1mattress

Facebook: @matthew.carroll.589

FBI still trying to crush Black liberation movements

 

The Uhuru 3 are Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP); Penny Hess, Chair of the African People’s Solidarity Committee (APSC); and Jesse Nevel, Chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement (USM).  In April 2023, the Uhuru 3 were indicted by the US Govt on bogus charges of being “agents of a foreign government” because of the Uhuru Movement’s over 50 years of work to advocate for the liberation and unification of Africa and forcibly dispersed African people everywhere. 

The charges levied on the Uhuru 3 came nine months after the FBI and local police violently raided seven homes and properties of the APSP and Uhuru Movement in St. Louis, MO and St. Petersburg, FL on July 29, 2022.  These charges carry prison sentences of up to 15 years each.  On Sept. 28, 2023, a Motion to Dismiss the Charges against the Uhuru 3 was presented to US court in Tampa, Florida.  The Uhuru 3 are still awaiting a response from the Dept. of Justice.  The charges against the Uhuru 3 reveal the historical and ongoing escalation of attacks on free speech rights, freedom to organize, and freedom to struggle for liberation of African, Indigenous and all oppressed peoples of the world. Drop the Charges on the Uhuru 3! Learn more….

Mental Health Public Forums

 

NAACP Open House

The Northern Dutchess Branch of the NAACP will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE tomorrow (Friday), 6:00 pm at the Cunneen-Hacket Theater at 12 Vassar Street. Everyone is welcome to come. You do not need to be an NAACP member. See the attached email for more details. Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

Monday, April 29 on Fair Housing

 

Fair Housing: What We All Need to Know
co-hosted by NYS Division of Human Rights, NYS Office of the Attorney General, 
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley & Hudson Valley Justice Center

 

Monday, April 29, 6pm-8pm
Beulah Baptist Church, 92 Catherine St. Poughkeepsie, 12601

What is Fair Housing? What are the trends?

What impact has it made and what are the challenges?

What resources are available to help?

Register: DutchessNY.gov/FairHousingForum

Trans Prisoners' Rights Coalition

The Trans Prisoners' Rights Coalition will be hosting a Day of Action in Albany on Tuesday April 9th to urge New York State legislators to pass the GIRDS (Gender Identity Respect Dignity and Safety) Act (S2860 / A709).  This bill is focused on ensuring the basic human and civil rights of trans prisoners in New York State. As an active member of the coalition, ENJAN is co-sponsoring the event. We encourage members to attend. If you are available on April 9th to go  up to Albany, you can register by clicking this RSVP link. A flyer for the event is attached. Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

 

Criminal Justice Policy and Policymaking in Dutchess County

ENJAN members,

Next Wednesday, April 3rd, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Trolley Barn (489 Main St. Poughkeepsie) there will be a community information and listening session regarding criminal justice policy in Dutchess County. Catered food and childcare (under 10) will be provided. The event will include a presentation from the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office followed by group listening, discussion, and policy brainstorming sessions. The event is hosted by students and instructors from the Vassar College community-engaged intensive course POLI 281: Criminal Justice Policy and Policymaking in Dutchess County.

Your voice is essential for effective local criminal justice policy development and implementation! We especially hope to hear from those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. Future events and opportunities for participation in these critical processes are planned and will be discussed at the event.

Please see the attached flyer and use this link to register. Feel free to share this event with friends, family, and community members.

Thanks, and see you next Wednesday!

Brian Robinson

 

Plans for a new Dutchess County homeless shelter

ENJAN Members,

Laura Forman, who has been helping us stay up to date with the continually changing plans for a new Dutchess County homeless shelter, wanted to share the following announcement of a Community Forum that will be held on March 28th at the Dutchess County Legislature Chambers on 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. Please feel free to share this information with interested residents. Thank you. 

The ENJAN Curators

Sunday in Beacon and Poughkeepsie

Sunday, March 17th at Harriet Tubman Park, 72 Market Street in Poughkeepsie from noon to 3 pm. The protest is calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza. There will be a caravan for the Poughkeepsie event that leaves Beacon (from Polhill Park) at 11:15 am on Sunday. To learn more about this event, click the following link:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4iG1LEgqt6

You may ask what this has to do with the mission of ENJAN. Here is the answer from Michelle Alexander:

"I find that people often ask me, as I speak about issues related to climate change and the war in Gaza and the threats related to the rise in technology: What does any of this have to do with mass incarceration or police violence, the issues and causes that have been most pressing and most important to me for much of my life? And what I always say is that these issues have everything to do with mass incarceration. These are existential crises that we face because we have persisted in treating people and all of creation as exploitable and disposable, unworthy of our care and concern. We are lost in the delusion that we can solve problems or do justice or achieve peace and security simply by locking people up, throwing away the key, destroying their lives and families, getting rid of them, declaring wars on them, wars on drugs, wars on crime, wars on Gaza."                      - Michelle Alexander

Thank you Mark for highlighting this quote.

The ENJAN Curators

Hudson Valley Parole Justice Advocacy Day

RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison) will be hosting a Parole Justice Advocacy Day this coming Wednesday, March 13th at the Capitol Building in Albany. This event will be focused on promoting the parole justice bills to legislators who represent the Mid Hudson Valley (Dutchess County, Orange County, and Ulster County).

The event is open to anyone who wants to attend. Participants will meet on the first floor of the Legislative Office Building at 10:00 am. There will be a press conference at 11:00 am, followed by meetings with legislators and staff members. The day will end between 3:30 and 4:00 Food will be provided to anyone who attends. More details will be emailed to you after you RSVP.

We encourage ENJAN members to attend. If you would like to attend, you must RSVP by clicking this link: HV Parole Justice Advocacy Day RSVP link. Anyone who wishes to attend and needs a ride, please email Kevin Carswell at kgcarswell@gmail.com.

Thank you.

The ENJAN Curators

 

Speakers who have had their lives changed

This past week, Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals hosted the annual State of the Judiciary Hearing in Albany. This year's event highlighted a shift in focus from courts that are solely concerned with determining guilt or innocence to courts that are actually trying to solve problems and help people. Instead of filling the session with speeches and political rhetoric, Chief Judge Wilson chose to invite a variety of speakers who have had their lives changed through various types of problem solving and treatment courts. Each speaker was truly moving, and the session provides some encouraging evidence that the New York court system is actually progressing in a positive direction.

You can view the hearing here: 

https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/news/SOJ_2024.html

The session runs 90 minutes, but is well worth watching. It is unfortunate that Governor Hochul did not stay to hear all the personal success stories.

The ENJAN Curators

Sunday, March 3 from 3-5 pm

As the duopoly continues to show its ass, we need to take a hard look at ourselves and our community.

Why are we here? What immediate solutions and long term strategies do we have to ameliorate and rise above these sorry conditions?

Who are WE?

WHO gets WHAT, WHEN, HOW & WHY?

These questions pose an ongoing discussion.
Some of us are sick and tired of the okie doke & want to learn about how shit works in local government in order to change the WHO? And some of us want to change the entire WHO GETS WHAT WHEN AND HOW? Yall know what we mean!

Tune in and stay tuned to join people gathering AFTERWARDS to learn how our local system suppose to work and REALLY works in order to TAKE COMMUNITY CONTROL.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

WE'RE STILL IN WINTER TELECONFERENCE MODE

Teleconference info for this even in bio!

Topic: WW4BL - What the Hell is Going On in Your Town
Time: Mar 3, 2024 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88037353331