ADVOCACY BY THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE OF ROCHESTER
Poverty
TIAR Continues to support the effort in the FIGHT FOR $15. This program is a National, state and local effort to raise the wages of fast food workers and hopes to influence wages of other low wage earners to help them earn a living wage. Members have marched, attended wage board meetings and also supported the effort by writing letters to our legislative leaders and members of the Assembly and the Senate.
SANCTUARY VILLAGE a temporary shelter for the homeless was supported by a $100 donation. Members were also encouraged to work with their faith group to provide food and transportation.
MONROE COUNTY REENTRY PROGRAM we donate personal care items to help people upon release from jail or prison.
Governance
Equality of LGBT, Sent letter to President Obama congratulating him on his initiative to eliminate discrimination for federal worker. Received letter in return to thank us for our support.
STATE REDISTRICTING Co-Sponsoring an informational meeting with the League of Women Voters to educate the publiC ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. Meeting will be held in the fall.
RAISE THE AGE Letters were sent to state legislaturers and the Governor in support of raising the age of minors in court from being treated as adults. Want the age raised to 18 years before the designation of adult is attached.
PREVENT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT President signed petition in TIAR’s name and members were encouraged to sign as an individual.
Co-Sponsor VOTERS ALLIANCE a nonpartisan group, with The League of Women Voters, effort to register voters in local areas where there is low voter enrollment. Committee is gearing up for the Presidential election.. This organization is only active in Presidential election years
Other Issues
ENVIRONMENT
We continue to work on anti-fracking . State Governor agreed with with governmental study indicating the downside of fracking and banned large scale and banned large scale fracking. The work continues on banning the activity near water supplies of Syracuse and New York City. While the ban on fracking has been accomplished we believe there are still items to be addressed for unplanned harmful effects on the environment and we continue to go to meetings and send letters to our legislatures. We also cosponsored event “”New Yorkers Against Fracking” in Albany Environmental justice through Active Nonviolence.
We co sponsored a PASHAMAMA symposium with Nazareth Hickey Center and the Pashamama Alliance. Pashamama helping io providing a venue to promote “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream”
POLITICAL ACTION
FECP, FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, We co sponsor with the League of Women Voters We invite local candidates to conduct fair practices as they run for office. The committee serves as a means where candidates may; register their complaints of unfair practices and serve as a mediator for these complaints. We are particularly active during the Presidential year of election
HEALTH CARE
We have written letters to our legislature and Governor. for SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE in our continued effort to gain health coverage for our uninsured citensenary. We also wrote letters to our Federal legislature and President in support of the bills in the congress. Thank you letters were sent Assemblyman Gantt and Bronson.who sponsored the Assembly bill. President signed letter in support of the CHIP initiative.
RACIAL DIALOGUE
In our effort to educate ourselves to be better attuned to racial bias MetroJustice provided Jon Greenbaum and Tracy Farmer to lead our three sessions. to view each of our programs through a “Racial Justice Lens” Understanding racism as both individual and systemic
IMMIGRATION/MIGRANTS
Letter in support of Mayor of Rochester, Lovely Warren, in her support of migrant children being housed in Rochester due to the lack of areas opening there areas to the children.. Letter in support of President Obama Executive Order in providing safe harbor for the Dreamers.
EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION FOR BOARD
Speakers
- Rev. Lewis Stewart -POLICE REFORM COALITION
- Joyce Herman and Sue Sarapilic - PASHAMAMA
- George Payne - GANDHI EARTH; KEEPERS
- Jon Greenbaum and Tracey; Farmer - RACIAL DIALOGUE
- Verdis La Far Robinson -THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
- Emily McNeil - LABOR RELIGION COALITION
ANNUAL MEETING SPEAKER
JAMES LAWRENCE
MEETINGS TIAR
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 8;30 AM FIRST TUESDAY OF MONTH GOLDEN FOX RESTAURANT
BOARD - 4;00 5;30 THIRD THURSDAY OF MONTH COVENANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH