Category: News and Events

Immigration, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

Agreement Reached to Protect Young Immigrants

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“Senior Democrats stunned Washington on Wednesday by claiming that they had agreed with Donald Trump on a plan to protect so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought illegally to the US as children.

Senator minority leader Chuck Schumer and House counterpart Nancy Pelosi, who dined with the president at the White House, said they had reached an agreement to quickly enshrine into law protections for the nearly 800,000 immigrants who benefited from Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme.

A person briefed on the meeting said Trump agreed with the Democrats to pair the bipartisan Dream Act, which provides a path to permanent residency for undocumented immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, with some form of border security – excluding Trump’s promised border wall.”

Click here to read more…

Civic and Voter Engagement, Educational Resources and Tools, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

Nassau County, NY – Primary Voter Information and Candidates

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On Tuesday, September 12, 2017, there is a primary election taking place in Nassau County.

The following is information that you can use to determine where you vote and which candidates are running in either the Democratic or Republican primary elections.

To determine where you can go to vote, click here.   

PRIMARY ELECTIONS
Scroll down for a list of candidates running in contested primary elections in Nassau County, New York. (You can also click here for an up-to-date list.) 
Please visit the candidates’ websites to learn about their positions on issues important to you. 
Click here to learn about your Nassau County Democratic candidates.
Click here to learn about the Nassau County incumbent Republican candidate.

PRIMARY CANDIDATES:
Nassau County – County Executive – Democratic
Laura Curran DEM,WFP,WEP – www.lauracurran2017.com/join/
George Maragos DEM – www.georgemaragos.com

Nassau County – County Comptroller – Democratic
Jack E. Schnirman DEM,WFP,WEP – www.jackfornassau.com
Ama Yawson DEM – www.yestoyawson.com

Nassau County – County Clerk – Democratic
Dean E. Bennett DEM,WFP – www.deanbennett.ngpvanhost.com/dean-bennett
Carl DeHaney DEM – www.carlforclerk2017.com/

For absentee ballot information, click here.

ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Nassau County Board of Elections
240 Old Country Road – 5th Floor
Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: 516-571-8683
Fax: 516-571-2058

Email Nassau County Board of Elections

Visit the Nassau County Home Page

OFFICERS
David J. Gugerty, Comm.
Louis G. Savinetti, Comm.
Michael Santeramo, Dep. Comm.
Carol Demauro Busketta, Dep. Comm.

Immigration, News and Events, Regional and National News, RVUSA Priority Issues

“Dreamer Program” at Risk

 

“Ten Republican state attorneys general in June urged the administration to rescind the DACA program, while noting that the government did not have to revoke permits that had already been issued.

If the federal government did not withdraw DACA by Sept. 5, the attorneys general said they would file a legal challenge to the program in a Texas federal court.

The 10 who signed the letter represent Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.”

Read more:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-daca-idUSKCN1B52KZ

Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

Weekly Action Update – August 29, 2017

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Congress may be on a break but this was a busy week across the nation. As Texans braced for Tropical Storm Harvey and dealt with its devastating aftermath, many of us were also keeping an eye on news from Washington, D.C., as legislators prepare to return from recess.

Ways to take action this week:

Stay updated on the situation in Texas

Tropical Storm Harvey has caused tremendous damage to the Gulf Coast and other parts of Texas, including Houston. More rain is predicted in the areas hit hardest by the storm, which may further overburden a region already struggling to deal with flooding and storm conditions.

Encourage family and friends in Texas who have not been affected by the storm to consider donating blood or other urgent supplies, and learn how you can help from wherever you are.

Prepare for the end of the Congressional Recess

Labor Day means the summer is almost over, and it also means Congress will soon return from its August recess. Both the House and Senate have full legislative agendas this fall, with government funding, the debt ceiling, tax reform, healthcare, and more as items they must attend to during this upcoming session. In addition, the White House has signed a memo implementing the ban on transgender individuals from serving in the military, and we expect an announcement on the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.

Stay informed with one of our trusted news sources so that you can be ready to take informed action when it’s needed.

New Yorkers: Read up on the implications of a Constitutional Convention

This fall, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to decide if they want to authorize a Constitutional Convention, which is the first step in re-writing aspects of New York State’s Constitution. Learn more about the process and its possible impact.

Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

Weekly Action Update – August 22, 2017

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Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Vigil for Charlottesville. If you missed the vigil, we have a full recap here, including press coverage of the event. A special thank you to our co-sponsors, Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, Indivisible of RVC, NYS Assembly Member Brian Curran, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, R.V.C., United Church of Rockville Centre, the Village of Rockville Centre, and Vineyard Church. Your involvement was a powerful display of community and a reminder of how powerful we are when we raise our voices in unison.

These tensions and this struggle will not go away quickly or quietly. It is vital to keep speaking up against racism, intolerance, and hatred.

Ways to take action this week:

News and Events, Press Coverage, RVUSA Meetings and Events, RVUSA Priority Issues, Unity and Diversity

Recap – Charlottesville Vigil, Rockville Centre, New York

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“We are here tonight to be heard, and to remind ourselves and each other of the power and the responsibility that each of us has every day. We have to use our voices and encourage others to use theirs for the common good.”
– Emma Travers, co-founder, Raising Voices USA

There was a huge turnout at Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, in Rockville Centre, New York this evening as people gathered on the steps, onto the sidewalks, and around the corner for a moving and heartfelt vigil. The “Unite the Right Rally” in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend left three dead and many injured in a horrific display of racism and white supremacy. 

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, State Senator Todd Kaminsky, Rabbi Elliot Skiddell of Central Synagogue, the Rev. Scott Ressman of the United Church of Rockville Centre, and Pastor Robert Grimm of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church were among the vigil’s speakers.

We at Raising Voices USA stand together as one, as we condemn acts of racism and strive toward unity and understanding.

News and Events, RVUSA Meetings and Events, RVUSA Priority Issues, Unity and Diversity

Charlottesville Vigil

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CHARLOTTESVILLE VIGIL
Thursday, August 17 @ 7:00 pm

Raise your voice as we join with numerous local clergy and elected officials for a vigil in response to this weekend’s events in Charlottesville:

Thursday, August 17, 7:00 pm
Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth
(DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre)

We will gather on the front steps of the synagogue and stand together as one with other community organizations as we condemn acts of racism and strive toward unity and understanding. Friends, family and neighbors are encouraged to join us.

This event is co-sponsored by RaisingVoicesUSA, Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, United Church of Rockville Centre, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, R.V.C., Vineyard Church, NYS Assembly Member Brian Curran, Indivisible of RVC, and the Village of Rockville Centre.

Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

Weekly Action Update – August 15, 2017

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The events this past weekend in Charlottesville left millions of Americans stunned, horrified, and deeply troubled. It is in the aftermath of such events that we must come together and raise our voices to stand up for what we believe in.

To those who marched, joined a rally, or went to a vigil this weekend, we thank you for your action. And if you can’t attend an upcoming event, there are still many ways to condemn hatred, racism, and intolerance.

Ways to take action this week:

Speak out against hate.

  1. Call, email, fax, or write your elected officials at every level and demand that incidents such as the Unite the Right rally be immediately, swiftly, and unequivocally condemned. Tell them you want funding restored to fight right-wing, domestic terrorism. Let them know that we expect more from our great nation, and that these activities run directly counter to the direction we should be heading. Our elected officials represent us; make sure they hear your voices clearly and loudly today and every day, and especially in the voting booth. Find your elected officials here.
  2. Join the Unity and Diversity committee. Raise your voice for justice, for peace, for understanding, and for acceptance by working with others who are dedicated to building community. Learn more about the committee and join now to get involved.
  3. Display a “Hate has no Home Here” sign where you live or work.Let’s flood our communities with symbols of love and acceptance. Signs cost $5 and orders are being taken through August 18. Click here to order your sign via email.

Learn the history behind what’s happening with North Korea.

Before the events in Charlottesville, tensions with North Korea were dominating the headlines. If you’re unsure of how we got to this point, or want a refresher on the history of diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea, this article will walk you through the milestones and help explain the current tensions.

Action, News and Events, RVUSA News and Updates

Weekly Action Update – August 8, 2017

 

After a tumultuous summer session, our elected officials are heading home for the August recess. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to connect and share your priorities with your legislators!

Ways to take action this week:

Make the most of the August recess.

Make sure you know who your elected officials are and where they maintain a local office. Find your legislators.

Once you have this information, consider scheduling a legislative visit. Want to make sure your visit is productive? This tip sheet will help. Note that while you may not meet with your legislator, the legislative staff can be extremely helpful and are good contacts to maintain throughout your elected official’s term.

Find and attend a Town Hall. Town Halls are an opportunity to speak in a public forum with other members of your state or district. While most coverage of Town Halls has focused on their contentious tones, these meetings can be productive ways to show support for or dissent with your legislator’s position on key issues. The Town Hall Project maintains a list of known meetings. See if your legislators will be holding a Town Hall near you.

Please note that regular RaisingVoicesUSA meetings will resume in September, but we will continue to send you weekly action updates.