TIAR CLIMATE TASK FORCE (2021)

Our world today is facing a climate crisis like never before in our history. Although Global warming may have natural factors most environmental scientists believe that the cause of Global Warming is primarily a human responsibility. For too long, man has polluted the environment with toxic chemicals and fossil fuels.

Today environmentalists are working toward a net Zero emissions of fossil fuel by 2050. We need to reduce our carbon footprint by converting all energy to clean energy using Wind ,Sun ,Water , Geothermal and some will add Nuclear Energy. This will mean to eliminate all coal, oil, and gas production throughout the world. New York State has legislation on the books or in process to place a tax on all carbon fuel production, terminate coal production, end fracking, convert all transportation vehicles to electric and change our heating and cooling to all electric or geothermal.

The TIAR Climate Committee is interested in a safe, clean, renewable energy system which will ensure a safe, clean and healthy environment for our children and grandchildren. The facilitator of the TIAR Climate Task Force has contacts with various local, state, federal and world environmental action organizations. Information from various organizations will be shared with the Task Force and possibly shared with our membership and added to the TIAR Web Page upon approval of the executive committee president. TIAR is a member of the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Greater Rochester Area. We are also affiliated with RAICA (The Rochester Area Interfaith Climate Association).

Legislative Action and Environmental Justice is pursued by NYRENEWS, MJ (Metro Justice) CCL (Citizens Climate Lobby), The Accelerator and RAICA.

Information on Global Warming and Climate Change can be found on WEB Pages: Pachamama Alliance, Sierra Club, The Climate Reality Project, NYLCV( New York league of Conservation Voters), Union of Concerned Scientists, The Environmental Defense Fund , Earth Beat and NY TIMES Climate Fwd: to name a few.

For more information On the TIAR Climate Task Force contact, Richard Codding at rcodding123@gmail.com

Poor People’s Campaign

In 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others called for a “revolution of values” in America. They sought to build a broad, fusion movement that could unite poor and impacted communities across the country. Their name was a direct cry from the underside of history: The Poor People’s Campaign.

Today, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has picked up this unfinished work. From Alaska to Arkansas, the Bronx to the border, people are coming together to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. We understand that as a nation we are at a critical juncture — that we need a movement that will shift the moral narrative, impact policies and elections at every level of government, and build lasting power for poor and impacted people. (Poor People’s Campaign website).

In May 2021 – Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Barbara Lee (CA-13) unveiled a Congressional resolution that demands the U.S. fully address poverty and low wages from the bottom up. The proposal was introduced alongside co-chairs of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis.

Titled “Third Reconstruction: Fully Addressing Poverty and Low Wages from the Bottom Up,” this resolution is a historic omnibus vision to summon the moral and political resolve of the nation to center the needs of the 140 million people who are poor, low-wealth and/or living one emergency away from economic ruin – and millions more since the pandemic – with moral laws and policies.

TIAR is a member of the Poor People’s Campaign. Our commitment to the fair, just, and loving treatment of all people aligns with our faith traditions and is reflected in PPC’s principles and demands. If you wish to create the beloved community, explore the many ways in which you can participate.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO SECURE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL!

For more information, contact Roberta Davis at r.m.d.52miles@gmail.com

IMMIGRATION

TIAR supports the advocacy work of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC).

The NYIC represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights group in NYS. It is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization. The goal of NYIC is to ensure fair and just treatment of our immigrant communities. The NYIC accomplishes this goal by listening carefully to the concerns of immigrants , attending to the needs of newcomer populations, increasing access to services, protecting the rights of immigrants, creating and lobbying for legislation, developing leadership skills among immigrants, and encouraging civic engagement by immigrant communities . NYIC staff also work very hard to mobilize allies such as TIAR to actively partner with it.

The NYIC held its Member Congress on January, 11, 2022. Here are the 2022 State Priorities:

Budget

Coverage4All- Allocate $462 million to create a state-funded Essential Plan, affordable health insurance, for all New Yorkers up to 200% of the federal poverty level who are currently excluded from all healthcare (except emergency Medicaid ) because of their immigration status (introduced as A880/S1572)
Increase Immigration Legal Services Funding- Increase the funding for immigration legal services to $15.3 million, from its current $10 million, to enable legal representatives within the Liberty Defense Project to continue to work on existing cases and to allow new providers to serve 1,000 New Yorkers needing legal assistance to protect themselves against federal anti-immigrant enforcement.
Excluded Worker Fund – Allocate an additional $3.0 billion to the existing fund
Legislative
Pass the New York for All Act- (S.7562/A9586)- this act prohibits state and local police officers from enforcing federal immigration law, funneling people into ICE custody, or sharing sensitive information with ICE
Language Access- enact legislation that codifies and expands on existing Executive Order 26.1 to respond to immigration trends and expand the number of statewide languages of translation.
Access to Representation Act: pass the first in the nation Access to Representation Act. This Act will ensure that all immigrants facing deportation have a right to counsel in NYS(S.81/A01962)

Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin spoke on behalf of Gov. Kathy Hochul. He expressed support for protecting the rights of immigrants and for increasing access to services. Gov. Hochul plans to put increasing the allocation for the Liberty Defense Project in her budget. She would also like to strengthen the Office for New Americans. Pathways to citizenship, workforce development, and the integration of services are also priorities.

Participants met with state legislators and their staff to discuss these six priorities, gain support, and make connections.

TIAR actively supported NYIC during its drivers licenses for immigrants legislative drive. TIAR is in the process of reconnecting with the Rochester Rapid Response Network, a Rochester- area ally group formed to support immigrants facing detention and deportation.

TIAR members will be updated on future actions in which they can participate.

For more information, contact Roberta Davis at r.m.d.52miles@gmail.com

Police Accountability Board Alliance (PABA)

https://paballiance.org/

The PABA is a coalition of community organizations and individuals focused on holding the Rochester Police Department (RPD) accountable for the behavior of its members and the outcomes of its policies, practices, procedures, and systems. It is concerned with rethinking public safety. The PABA was responsible for the Police Accountability Board Referendum which the citizens of Rochester passed in 2019. The Referendum made it possible for the Police Accountability Board to be established in 2020. The nine members of this Board are chosen by citizens, vetted by the PABA, and are approved by the Rochester City Council. The duties of the Police Accountability Board include investigating complaints of police misconduct with the power to hire investigators, subpoena records and gather RPD internal information. It is also mandated to review and assess RPD patterns and procedures with the goal of assisting RPD to improve the quality and transparency of services provided to the community.

One of the major duties of the PABA is to support the Police Accountability Board. The PABA receives regular updates from the Police Accountability Board staff. The PABA is responsible for placing and maintaining 4 members on the Board at all times. The Police Accountability Board has hired an Executive Director and is now in the process of hiring the staff to execute its oversight function of RPD. The PABA is assisting with this process through advertisement on its website and through communication with its member organizations. The Police Accountability Board shares any obstacles and successes with the PABA as it adheres to the will of the citizens of Rochester for an independent, transparent , citizen led and empowered public safety process.

If you are committed to re-envisioning and re-structuring public safety in our community, please consider joining the Alliance and attending meetings regularly. The Alliance has a number of committees that could use more members. So whether you are interested in administrative tasks, finance, outreach, candidate recruiting for the Police Accountability Board, research and application, legislation, or restorative circles, the PABA has a place for you. Please come join us.....

For more information, contact Roberta Davis at r.m.d.52miles@gmail.com