Backbone Campaign and NYC allies stage “The Citizen’s Arrest of Donald Trump” outside Trump’s residence in Midtown Manhattan with large scale puppeteering visuals

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - This afternoon, dozens of activists gathered at Central Park SE to take pictures with the Trump head along with their messages to be tweeted “@” the President since this seems to be how he prefers to communicate with the country.  The crowd pursued him chanting “Lock him up!” fended off by his “police escorts”.  At Trump Tower one of the children participating enacted the arrest by slapping cuffs on Trump.  The NYPD promptly escorted “Arrested Trump” away from Trump Tower.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

The group of people gathered in midtown Manhattan to demand the United States impeach and remove President Donald Trump and set a national standard for leadership and accountability. They are acting on account of twelve points of Trump’s impeachable offenses:

1. Violations of Foreign and Domestic Emoluments

2. Incitement of Hate Speech and violence within the U.S.

3. Voter intimidation and lying about election fraud

4. Disregard for truth and pathological lying

5. Violating Freedom of Religion with Muslim Bans

6. Environmental destruction and dismantling protections for air and water

7. Criminally negligent climate denial and violation of Paris Climate Treaty

8. Illegal and reckless threats of war and nuclear weaponry

9. Sexual assault and normalizing rape culture

10. Popularizing xenophobia and pardoning Joe Arpaio

11. Politically incompetent and unable to discharge the power and duties of the office

12. Lawless imprisonment, violation of Posse Comitatus and Warrantless Spying

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Seattle-based organization, Backbone Campaign, teamed up with several New York City based advocacy groups for the action. The event marks a kickoff to a larger nationwide tour of the centerpiece of this action: A giant Donald Trump hand-sculpted puppet head that taunts the crowd and eventually ends up in a large-scale “Citizen’s Arrest of Donald Trump”.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Local IT Program Manager and Radical Videographer, Owen Crowley, expresses his reasons for showing up today, “I came to demonstrate that sovereignty derives from the people. Mueller will not save us. We need to save Mueller, because he can only be effective when the people govern and the institutions of government are strong.”

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Bill Moyer, the Backbone Campaign’s  Executive Director and co-founder said of the overall action, “Humor and ridicule of tyrants is a timeless tradition we are proud to be part of.  Our grave concerns mount as the stage is being set for the Predator-in-Chief Donald Trump to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Trump’s profane buffoonery and criminal incompetence are an insult to rights and protections people have fought and died for abroad and at home in the social movements that have improved our society.  Backbone Campaign is resolved to stand with our allies across the country in staunch defense of the shared aspiration for a real and just democracy -  and -  in principled, courageous resistance to the nightmare of dictatorship that Trump’s demagoguery is leading our country toward.”

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

“This is to build momentum around the impeachment movement around the country. The positive feedback from everyone that was involved today, let us know this is something that the people support and are hungry for. We are looking forward to continuing this action in multiple cities across the USA”, states Phil Ateto, the Solidarity Brigade Coordinator for Backbone Campaign. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Citizen’s Arrest Actions are coming up in Los Angeles, Boston, DC, and San Diego, and other cities are scheduling now, joining in with the effort to hasten the indictment and impeachment of Donald Trump.  More information about the Citizens with Backbone project can be found at http://BackboneCampaign.org/trump

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#Activism #ArrestTrump #BackboneCampaign #collusion #corruption #DefendDemocracy #demonstration #DirectAction #DonaldTrump #DonTheDunce #DumpTrump #FakePrez #GOP #impeach #impeachment #ImpeachTrump #LoveTrumpsHate #MangoMussolini #NewYorkCity #NewYorkers #NotMyPresident #NYC #PeacefulProtest #PeacefulResistance #PuppetHead#ResistTrump #RiseAndResist #‎Solidarity #StopTheHate #trumpvsallofus

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

Rise And Resist Weekly Impeach Protest: Leadership vs. Tweetership

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - Inspired by an impeachment article of Rep. Al Green (TX) and the sentiments of several other U.S. Congress members, direct action group Rise and Resist and NYC residents held their Weekly Impeach Protest at the Twitter headquarters in Manhattan on December 28, 2017; committing to protest every Thursday until he's gone from The White House. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Join Rise and Resist as we call for impeachment of the 45th President of the United States. 

The latest Weekly Impeach Protest took place in front of Twitter NYC offices. Using performance and street art, Rise and Resist juxtapose past presidential quotes with Trump tweets, many of which demonstrate his racism, attacks on the press, and other impeachable offenses. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Rise and Resist is a direct action group committed to opposing, disrupting, and defeating any government act that threatens democracy, equality, and our civil liberties. We stage a demonstration every Thursday calling for Trump's impeachment. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#Activism #collusion #corruption #DefendDemocracy #demonstration #DirectAction #DonaldTrump #DonTheDunce #DumpTrump #FakePrez #GOP #impeach #impeachment #ImpeachTrump #LoveTrumpsHate #MangoMussolini #NewYorkCity #NewYorkers #NotMyPresident #NYC #PeacefulProtest #PeacefulResistance #ResistTrump #RiseAndResist #‎Solidarity #StopTheHate #trumpvsallofus #twitter

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

Fifteen Protesters Arrested for Blocking Access to Stock Exchange while Demanding Congress Stop the Tax Give-Away to Corporations and the Rich

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY — About 500 protesters chanting “Kill the Bill, Don’t Kill Us!” filled the street outside the New York Stock Exchange on December 19, 2017; where the resources siphoned from the poor and middle class by the Republican tax bill will be concentrated. More than 60 people lay down in the street for a die-in and 15 protesters were arrested blocking access to the Stock Exchange.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

The die-in, organized by unions, community groups and religious organizations, happened at the center of corporate profiteering on the eve of the Congressional vote on the tax bill. It was organized in coordination with another protest today in Washington D.C. Both actions pressed Congress to stop the tax give-away to corporations and the rich.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Half of Americans think the tax bill will lead to higher, not lower, taxes for themselves and their families.  The bill is hugely unpopular with the public, but Republican Congress members are advancing it anyway to mollify their big-money campaign contributors.  “My donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again,’” U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Western New York, said recently.

New Yorkers know that the tax bill is an attack on their state and on its people.  That’s why this diverse group of activists came together to defend working people, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, the young and the sick.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James led the protesters in chants of “Tax the Rich, Not the Poor” and spoke before the event. She was joined by Professional Staff Congress President Barbara Bowen, who was one of the arrestees, Reverend Brian Gibbs of the New York Council of Churches and Michael Kink, Executive Director of the Strong Economy For All Coalition.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

The protesters blocked the main entrance to the Stock Exchange and much of the intersection of Wall and Broad Streets. They held tombstone shaped signs, signs that said “Tax the Rich!” and “Stop Wall Street Theft” and giant checks written out to “the very rich.” When police warned the crowd to move or face arrest, 15 protesters refused and were arrested. As the police arrested the protesters who refused to move, the crowd continued the non-violent demonstration. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

If passed, the Republican tax bill (#GOPTaxScam on Twitter) will be a gift for Wall Street corporations. But it will mean tax increases for many in the middle class, deep cuts to Medicare, and state and local cuts to heath care, public schools, universities and other services. It will cause deficits that conservatives will use to put Social Security and other safety-net programs on the chopping block.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Organizations that participated in the die-in include: Citizen Action New York, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Greater New York Labor Religion Coalition, Hedge Clippers, New York City Public Advocate’s Office, New York Communities for Change, New York Progressive Action Network, New York State Council of Churches, New York State Nurses Association, North New Jersey DSA, People's Climate Movement, Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, Radical Age Movement, Rutgers University AAUP-AFT, Strong Economy for All Coalition, Working Families Party.  

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#Activism #arrests #CivilDisobedience #DirectAction #DumpTrump #GOPTaxScam #ImpeachTrump #Medicaid #Medicare #NewYorkCity #NotOnePenny #NYC #NYSNA #PeacefulProtest #PeacefulResistance #ResistTrump #revolution #‎Solidarity #StopTrumpsTaxScam #TaxBill #TaxCuts #TaxPlan #TaxReform #TaxScamBill #TaxTheRich #TrumpTaxScam

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

At the Museum of Natural History subway station, Activists demand Cuomo and Transit Authority to address accessibility in NYC subway stations

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - Members of Rise and Resist, residents from across NYC, City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, and Susan Dooha, executive director of the Center for the Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), held a protest on December 16, 2017;  outside the Museum of Natural History Subway Stop on Saturday to impress upon the city organization the importance of accessible subway stations.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

With only 117 out of 472 stations fully accessible, and with elevators often out of service at many of the accessible stations, Governor Cuomo and the MTA make it impossible for the almost 10% of New Yorkers that have a disability to get to work, the doctor, or to school.

While the MTA has made excuses based on budget and resources, the fact remains that New York City lags behind most other major cities in the country in terms of devoting adequate taxpayer money to creating accessible transit options.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

“San Francisco, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston - all these major U.S. cities treat their residents better in terms of making their mass transit systems accessible,” said Martin Quinn, a member of Rise and Resist. “There’s much written about the constant delays currently affecting the system, and rightfully so, but not including elevators in building plans, and not keeping the few we do have working on a consistent basis makes living here beyond frustrating to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, not to mention tourists.”

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

In 1994, the MTA agreed to make 100 key stations accessible by 2020, part of a settlement that exempted the agency from full compliance with the American With Disabilities Act. The MTA is currently working to complete the final 11 of these 100 stations in its 2015-2019 capital construction plan. Beyond fulfilling this agreement, there is no plan or policy for making the rest of the system more accessible in the future.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Century-old systems in Boston and Chicago are on their way to reach 100% accessibility. New York is settling for 25%.

Rise and Resist is a direct action group committed to opposing, disrupting, and defeating any government act that threatens democracy, equality, and our civil liberties. Previous Rise and Resist actions include a "cough-in" at Jean-Georges restaurant, and a protest at Trump Tower against the Muslim ban, the ICE raids, and the proposed border wall where 26 members were arrested.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#AccessDenied #Accessibility #ADA #ADAcompliant #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct #AndrewCuomo #BrokenElevators #commute #Cuomo #Disability #GovernorCuomo #LetUsRide #mobility #MTA #NewYork #NoElevator #NYC #NYCSubway #NYCTransit #PeoplesMTA #rally #RiseAndResist #safety #StrandedByCuomo #straphangers #SubwayStation #TrainStation #TransitCenter #transportation #wheelchair 

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

NYC progressive groups target Governor Cuomo’s birthday fundraiser over failed policies benefiting his donors over New Yorkers

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - Hundreds of New Yorkers joined NYC progressive groups on a mock “Voters Over Donors” birthday party outside Governor Cuomo's 60th birthday fundraiser event on December 14, 2017 at Cipriani Wall Street, demanding he puts renewable energy, affordable housing, and voters over his Wall Street donors.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

The “Voters Over Donors” event highlights how Cuomo’s failure to enact major legislation is hurting New Yorkers. Cuomo's Voters called on the governor to strengthen rent laws and invest in housing for the homeless; halt all fracking infrastructure, move to 100% renewable energy and institute a fee on corporate climate polluters; and fix New York's democracy by passing a true voting rights agenda and immediately ending the IDC's collusion with Senate Republicans.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

The climate crisis and the housing crisis are linked. Rising sea levels will displace over 400,000 New Yorkers in the next thirty years. Homelessness is already at historic highs. Rising rents are forcing people out of their homes. Cuomo isn't doing enough to stop it. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Prominent NYC progressive groups such as 350BK, 350NYC, Democratic Socialists of America, Food and Water Watch, NY Communities for Change (NYCC), NY Progressive Action Network (NYPAN), NY Renews, NYS Tenants and Neighbors, Sane Energy Project, and VOCAL-NY hosted a mock 60th birthday celebration outside Governor Cuomo’s fundraiser to denounce his policies focused on only benefiting his wealthy real estate donors over the people of New York State. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Organizers stated: "We’ll be calling on Cuomo to walk the talk on climate change by stopping fossil fuel infrastructure and leading a transition to 100 percent renewable energy. We'll demand he radically expand tenant protections across the state by closing loopholes in rent regulation laws and passing statewide just cause eviction bills. We call for a pathway out of the homeless shelters by providing real voucher programs for the most economically vulnerable New Yorkers. "

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Participants wore birthday hats, delivered large birthday presents containing banners with their demands, delivered also a large replica "Voters Over Donors" birthday cake, and sang birthday songs w/lyrics focused on climate and housing. 

#Activism #ActOnClimate #AffordableHousing #AndrewCuomo #cleanenergy #ClimateCrisis #climatejustice #Cuomo #CuomoWalkTheTalk #DivestNY #EnergyDemocracy #energyefficiency #EnergyIndependence #environment #FossilFree #fundraiser #GovernorCuomo #HousingCrisis #HousingNotShelters #HousingNotWarehousing #KeepItIntheGround #MakeREVreal #NewYork #NoIDC #NoPipelines #NYC #OffFossilFuels #RenewableEnergy #RenewableHeatNOW #‎Solidarity #VotersOverDonors #WalkTheTalk #WallStreet 

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

#LetYemenLive: NYC Emergency Protest at the United Nations calling for end to US weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and lifting the blockade on Yemen

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - Peace activists wearing photographs of Yemeni children who have been killed and orphaned marched to the U.S. and Saudi missions to the United Nations, where 15 of them were arrested after blocking the entrance doors in an act of non-violent civil disobedience, demanding an end to the US-backed war on Yemen and to the blockade. 18 NYC-based organizations organized the solidarity rally for Yemen on December 11, 2017 at Ralph Bunche Park in Manhattan, on the Monday after Human Rights Day. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Despite recent headlines of escalated fighting, the biggest threat to the people of Yemen is the Saudi blockade. The Saudi kingdom is using US weapons to bomb innocent Yemeni civilians and uphold a blockade that is causing a dire humanitarian crisis.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Time is running out for the people of Yemen, who are experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis. With seven million people on the brink of starvation, the country will face the largest famine since WWII if Saudi Arabia continues the war and blockade. This blockade cuts access to much-needed medical supplies. Over half of healthcare facilities in the country are nonfunctional, worsening Yemen's cholera outbreak with total cases possibly reaching one million by the end of this month. The US must use its influence to stop the blockade and must ultimately stop supporting the war.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

During the action, protesters wore photographs of Yemeni children with words such as, "My name is Buthaina Al Rimi," the five-year old girl who was orphaned during a Saudi bombing on August 25, 2017. Others wore costumes of mothers holding their dying babies, representing the widespread childhood mortality resulting from the blockade against Yemen.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Speakers included: Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Kate Alexander, Felton Davis, Carmen Trotta, Ramzy Yafei and others. Supporting organizations include: Voices for Creative Nonviolence, World Beyond War, Code Pink, Pax Christi Metro NY, Peace Action New York State, NYC Raging Grannies, Kairos Community, KnowDrones.com, Action Corps NYC, Granny Peace Brigade, Uptown Progressive Action, Sander Hicks for Congress, Rise and Resist NY, Veterans For Peace - NYC Chapter 034, and NYC War Resisters League.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Action Corps is a volunteer-led, independent advocacy organization that began 10 years ago. The mission of Action Corps is to disrupt inequality by transforming passion into effective advocacy. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#Activism #arrests #CivilDisobedience #demonstration #drones #EndTheWars #globalrevolution #HandsOffYemen #humanrights #LetYemenLive #manhattan #NewYork #NewYorkCity #NoWar #NYC #PeacefulProtest #PeacefulResistance #ResistWar #SaudiWarCrimes #SilencedNoMore #‎Solidarity #StopEndlessWars #stopthewar #USmilitary #WarIsARacket #WeWillNotBeSilent #Yemen

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

#MeToo rally in New York City seeks to change the tide of how sexual abuse victims are treated in America

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY WORK

New York, NY - The #MeToo rally took place outside the Trump International Hotel at Columbus Circle on December 9, 2017; the #MeToo movement ignited after sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced and opened the floodgate not only for women, but also men who have been victimized by predatory behavior and sexual misconduct, to tell their stories.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

A simple hashtag - #metoo - spoke for millions who were sexually abused and opened the floodgates for us to speak out, be seen, and support each other. Silenced no longer, abuse victims rise to give voice to their experiences and to change the tide of how sexual abuse victims are treated in America, taking a stand and be counted together to put an end to smearing anyone who dares to speak out, an end to questioning why wait so long after bodies, hearts, souls and psyches first suffered. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

With more women coming forward everyday and Time Magazine recognizing the Silence Breakers as Person of the Year, women took to the streets to raise their voices in solidarity.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

Sonia Ossorio, President, National Organization for Women - New York organized a visual representation of #MeToo on a wall at the Columbus Circle subway station. Survivors and allies were encouraged to post their own #MeToo stories and messages of support and solidarity. 

The #MeToo rally was named after the hashtag that became a rallying cry after actress Alyssa Milano urged women to use it to speak up to show how common sexual harassment and assault are. However, the movement really began a decade ago, when activist Tarana Burke first created the "Me Too" campaign to reach women of color who were victims of sexual assault. 

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

“Silenced no longer, we rise to give voice to our experience and to change the tide of how sexual abuse victims are treated in America,” organizers wrote on the rally’s Facebook. “Let us stand and be counted together to put an end to smearing anyone who dares to speak out, an end to questioning why we wait so long after our bodies, hearts, souls and psyches first suffered.”

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS<<

#Activism, #allrapeisrape, #BelieveSurvivors, #ColumbusCircle, #DumpTrump, #EndAbuse4Good, #GOPHandsOffMe, #HealMeToo, #MeToo, #MeTooRallyNYC, #MeTooWall, #NewYorkCity, #NoMeansNo, #NOWNYC, #NYC, #RapeAwareness, #ResistTrump, #SexualAbuse, #SexualHarassment, #SexualMisconduct, #SexualPredator, #SilenceBreakers, #TakeRapeSeriously, #ThisStopsNow, #TrumpFailsWomen, #TrumpInternationalHotel, #trumpvsallofus, #victims, #WomenRights, #womenrisingup

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963