Activists Rally Outside JPMorgan Chase ‘Investor Day’ Calling On Investors to Move The Bank Out of Tar Sands

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New York, NY - Activists rallied outside JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters on February 27, 2018; at the bank’s annual ‘Investor Day.’ Groups ranging from Rainforest Action Network, the American Indian Community House and Sane Energy Project demanded that the bank defund tar sands, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels on the planet. 

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“By funding tar sands JPMorgan Chase is driving climate change, environmental disaster, and human rights abuses, and we want their investors to know that unless they push Chase to get out of the sector, they are wholly complicit,” said Tess Geyer, Climate and Energy Organizer at Rainforest Action Network. “It’s an industry on its way out, and it’s incompatible with a stable climate. Why is JPMorgan Chase still banking it?”

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JPMorgan Chase is the top US funder of extreme fossil fuels, which include tar sands, Arctic oil, ultra-deepwater oil, coal mining, coal power, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Its role in funding tar sands is particularly egregious. From the start of 2014 to the end of September 2017, JPMorgan Chase pumped $8.4 billion into the largest tar sands extraction and pipeline companies such as Cenovus, Canadian Natural Resources, Transcanada and Kinder Morgan. This is more than twice the tar sands funding of any other US bank. 

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“We want Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, to hear us loud and clear: We stand in alliance with frontline nations against the abuse that he invests in with the tar sands extraction and transport process,” said Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project. “The violations against all of our health, safety and democracy are visible, and there is a growing swell of people calling for accountability of his corporation to halt their investments in tar sands that are creating a planet that is unable to sustain life."

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"Extraction of oil from tar sands requires the devastating contamination of land, water and food systems, often in direct violation of our fundamental treaty rights and our very way of life,” said Rick Chavolla, Board Chair at the American Indian Community House and member of the Kumeyaay Nation.  “Indigenous people stand with all people against this filthy industry financed by JP Morgan Chase and fellow banks."

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Rainforest Action Network preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns.

Sane Energy Project works to hasten a rapid and just transition to renewable energy through grassroots momentum that calls for a rethinking of our energy system from the bottom up to move to 100% equitable and community-led renewables. 

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#Activism #BlackSnakeKillaz #bsk #Chase #ChaseBank #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #CorporateGreed #DefendTheSacred #DefundTarSands #divest #FossilFree #IndigenousRising #InvestorDay #JPMorgan #KeepItIntheGround #mniwiconi #NewYork #NoDAPL #NoPipelines #NoTarSands #NYC #ProtectTheSacred #rednationsrising #resistenciaindigena #‎Solidarity #StopTheBlackSnake #StopThePipeline #WaterIsLife ‪#‎weareallconnected‬ 

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-896

Two days before Supreme Court arguments in Janus v AFSCME, thousands gathered in Foley Square and across the Nation to protest attacks on working people at the Working People's Day of Action

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New York, NY - The Working People’s Day of Action is about demanding an end to the rigged economy and defending worker's freedoms. On February 24, 2018; two days before the U.S. Supreme Court hears a case that could intervene in the ability of working people to stick together in strong unions, the billionaires, corporations and special interest groups behind Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 faced a massive wave of protests across the country. Demonstrating unrelenting opposition to attacks on working people, families, women and people of color, tens of thousands of people will march together to defend their basic freedoms.

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Wealthy special interests, backed by the Trump Administration, want the Supreme Court to rig the economy even more in their favor with a case called Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. The forces behind this case simply do not believe that working people should have the same freedoms and opportunities as they do. The case will be heard on February 26.

If the Supreme Court sides with the corporate interests, it would make it easier to divide working people and limit their power in numbers because unions give workers – particularly women and people of color – a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families and their communities.

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Working People's Day of Action is a call to stand with thousands of working people and their allies to unite for their freedoms and demand an end to a system and an economy that’s rigged against workers by the wealthy and powerful.

Thousands of people will gather in cities across the country, including San Diego, CA, Washington, DC, Miami, FL, Detroit, MI, St. Paul, MN, New York City, NY, Columbus, OH, Philadelphia, PA, Memphis, TN, and Chicago, IL.

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Because when we join forces and stick together, we are unstoppable.

Fight for the freedom to come together in strong unions. 

Fight for equitable pay.

Fight for affordable health care.

Fight for quality schools.

Fight for vibrant communities.

Fight for a secure future for all.

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Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. joined striking sanitation workers in Memphis as they fought for the freedom to join together in a strong union and achieve dignity and respect at work. Fifty years later, our struggle continues. For far too long, a handful of corporate CEOs, extremists and corrupt politicians have rigged the rules in their favor: making us work harder for less, taking away our health care, stripping away our voting rights, defunding our schools and polluting our air and water. And now the same forces are behind Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 — a case that the Supreme Court will hear in February, which is meant to weaken our power in numbers to speak up for ourselves, our families and our communities.

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In 1968, Dr. King came to the aid of Memphis sanitation workers who were protesting discrimination, low pay and inhumane conditions that led to the gruesome death of two workers on the job. On February 12, the sanitation workers went on strike to demand that their dignity, their humanity and their union be recognized. On February 21, the strikers began to march every day, carrying signs that boldly proclaimed, “I AM A MAN.”

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This year, on February 24, working people and our allies will join together to demand an end to an economy that’s rigged against working people and defend the freedoms that Dr. King fought and died for, like the freedom from want, the freedom from hate, the freedom to vote, the freedom to join together in strong unions.

As Dr. King told the sanitation workers in Memphis, “Freedom is not something that is voluntarily given by the oppressor. It is something that must be demanded by the oppressed.” 

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Enough is enough.

Rise with us as we reclaim our freedom to come together in unions and fight for decent and equitable pay for our work, affordable health care, quality schools, vibrant communities and a secure future for all of us.

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#32BJ #Activism #AFSCME #AndrewCuomo #DC37 #DefendDemocracy #demonstration #DumpTrump #FairContracts #FairWages #FoleySquare #GovernorCuomo #humanrights #ItsAboutFreedom #Janus #Labor #LaborRights #legislation #LivingWage #NeverQuit #NewYork #NotMyPresident #NotOneStepBack #NYC #PSCCUNY #ResistTrump #SEIU #SEIU32BJ #Solidarity #UnionProud #UnionWorkers #UnrigTheSystem #WeWontBackDown #WorkerRights #WorkersDayOfAction

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

New Yorkers Take Over Trump Ice Rink with Immigrant Rights Protest

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New York, NY - On February 19, 2018; a group of New Yorkers from Rise and Resist marked Presidents’ Day with a peaceful takeover of Trump Ice Rink in Central Park. Spelling out the word “RESIST” and displaying banners in protest of the president's immigration policies, the group of New Yorkers took to the ice to protest the cruel and intensifying roundups and deportations of immigrant women, men, and children by I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). 

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“We are here where Trump profits off friends, families and communities to protest this administration's attack on friends, families and communities”, said Rise and Resist spokesperson Carol Scott. “We are appalled by the actions of I.C.E. and call for an end to the raids and deportations in favor of a just immigration policy.”

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Undocumented immigrants come to the United States because of war (often American involved or supported), famine (caused or aggravated by global warming), crime (particularly crime inadvertently caused by the American war on drugs), and the horrendous treatment of women, children, ethnic and religious minorities, and LGBT individuals in many countries. The Trump Administration has made it clear that anyone on the wrong side of immigration law can be hunted down, arrested, detained, and deported, whether or not they committed a serious crime.

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There are 11 million undocumented immigrant women, men and children in the United States. 8 million of them – nearly all the adults – are hardworking, contributing members of the American labor force. They should be given a path to citizenship and be allowed to continue as productive, tax paying members of society. 

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#Activism #CentralPark #CleanDreamAct #DefendDACA #DefendTPS #DirectAction #DumpTrump #HereToStay #ICEfreeNY #IceRink #IceSkating #immigration #impeachment #ImpeachTrump #news #NewYork #NoBan #NoDeportations #NoDetentions #NoHumanIsIlegal #NoICEinNY #NotMyPresident #NoWall #NYC #PresidentsDay #ResignNOW #ResistTrump #RiseAndResist #SanctuaryCity #‎Solidarity #StopDeportations #StopICEraids #StopTheHate #TakenFromUs #TheResistance #trumpvsallofus #WollmanRink

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

11 Undocumented Youth and Allies launch Walk to Stay Home from New York to D.C. demanding the Right to Stay Home through a Clean Dream Act

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NEW YORK, NY - On February 15, 2018; 11 undocumented youth and allies began The Walk to Stay Home, a 15-day walk from New York City’s Battery Park to Washington D.C.’s Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. The 250-mile journey has been organized by the Seed Project with the support of the #OurDream Campaign to draw attention to the need for a clean Dream Act that not only grants permanent protection for undocumented youth but does not harm 11 million undocumented people living and working in the United States.

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“Everyday I wake up to read the latest news reports. Reading quotes from politicians, both attacks and promises about my existence,” said Hector Jairo Martinez, a New York DACA recipient from Brooklyn. “It is time for us, undocumented youth, to once again step out of the shadows and make a simple demand, let us stay home.”

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When the House passed the Jan 19th spending bill without promised Dream Act legislation, House Democrats once again failed to give their support to undocumented youth. The Walk to Stay Home is undocumented youths’ response to politicians who use “Dreamers” as talking points on the campaign trail, but back down when it is time to demonstrate real support. 

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The Walk to Stay Home: a Journey of Hope, is drawing attention to the undocumented struggle in the key weeks leading up the March 5th deadline, when the Trump administration has decided DACA will end. The deadline for DACA protections to end gets closer every day and Democrats show no sign of using their power to protect the undocumented youth, while Republicans draft legislation that will drive the immigrant community deeper into the shadows. 

“What concerns me most is whether or not this will touch the hearts of those who haven't decided that undocumented youth need a clean Dream Act, because that is what we need -- permanent protection,” said Miriam Nunez, who came to the United States with her parents when she was six months old. 

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DACA recipients have the vast majority of public support for ongoing protections in the United States. This makes them popular tokens for politicians who want to demonstrate their progressivism while criminalizing the rest of the undocumented community. The walkers’ sacrifice to stand for their right to stay home underscores their dedication to loved ones who have not been offered the same protections under DACA.

“I have thought about the impact the walk will have on those who love and cherish me most, because I know that this will be a collective walk, not only with my fellow walkers, but also with the families and friends we leave behind while we embark on this journey,” said Nunez.

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Along the 250 mile journey the Walkers will be stopping to meet with community members at community forums, community gatherings, marches, and rallies. The Walkers will be making a call to action for undocumented youth, the immigrant community, and allies to host speak outs, vigils, rallies, and marches in their hometowns. All along the way the walkers will asking people from around the country to join them in Washington DC to make a final push to pass a clean Dream Act to grant undocumented youth permanent protection.

The Seed Project is a campaign of Movimiento Cosecha, a nonviolent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all undocumented immigrants in the country. 

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#Activism #CleanDreamAct #DACA #DefendDACA #DefendTPS #DreamAct #dreamers #DumpTrump #HereToStay #ICEfreeNY #immigration #MovimientoCosecha #NewYork #Ni1Mas #NoHumanIsIlegal #Not1More #NoWall #NYC #OurDream #RefugeesWelcome #ResistTrump #SanctuaryCity #SaveTPS #SeedProject #SinDACASinMiedo #Somos11Millones #StopDeportations #StopICEraids #StopTheHate #TakenFromUs #TPS #UndocumentedYouth #WalkToStayHome

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

Cuomo's Love For Lobbyists Breaking Our Hearts Say New Yorkers: ‘Love NY Don't Frack It Up’ Rally at Percoco Trial

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New York, NY -​ Impacted citizens and environmental activists were joined by actor James Cromwell​, gubernatorial candidate Terry Gipson,​ and NYC Councilman Jummane Williams for a Valentine's Day Rally ​in front of the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse in lower Manhattan to ask Governor Cuomo ​to ‘Love NY Don’t Frack it Up.’ As the corruption trial of former Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco​ continues, testimony reveals the intimate relationship between CPV lobbyists and Percoco, one of the most influential officials in the Cuomo administration who Cuomo has described as his “father’s third son”. The controversial CPV power plant in Orange County is at the heart of the trial. Competitive Power Ventures executive Peter Galbraith Kelly paid Percoco’s wife almost $300,000 for a low show job as a way to gain help and influence for the power plant. Residents living close to CPV say they are the victims of the pay-to-play corruption which now burdens them with life and death risks and demand the permits be rescinded.

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The campaign began with the release of an early morning video Valentine to Governor Cuomo from the children of Orange County asking him to protect their homes and “not frack it up”.

Protesters chanted “Broken hearts, filthy air, fracked gas damage everywhere” holding bright red broken hearts, a giant box of Percoco ziti, and a banner that read “Cuomo Break up with fossil fuel corruption”

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Pramilla Malick​, Chair of Protect Orange County​ the group leading the opposition to the plant for 6 years, has been at the trial nearly everyday, and publicly asserted corruption behind the project approvals years before the indictment. She said this is American democracy on trial. “ If

 this company is allowed to get away with what was testified to, what the documentary evidence shows, we do not have a democracy in this country anymore”

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“Valentine's Day is the best day to send a message to Gov Cuomo that it's time to break up with fossil fuels. We’ll give them 50 ways to leave their lobbyists.” Malick remarked. After the rally Malick delivered a large Valentine’s card from Orange County to Governor Cuomo’s NYC office. The card was signed by dozens of concerned citizens.

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Scott Martens​, father of two from Minisink Valley believes this corruption is about poisoning the public, especially vulnerable populations. He stands with the people of PA, where “CPV will need 150 new fracking wells per year”.

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Melissa Martens​, holding her one year old son, spoke of her concern for the health of children in their early developmental years, “We have 40 years of toxic VOC’s and particulate matter we will be forced to breathe all day every day”.

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Former NY state senator Terry Gipson, ​ who will challenge Governor Cuomo ​in the primary addressed the rally by stressing that the “p” in his name stands for “progressive”. He acknowledged how hard it is to stand up against big monied interest. “ We should not allow fracked gas in any form, not from a truck, not from a pipeline, not from a power plant. It should not be here in any way shape or form.” said Gipson. He also stated that “we don’t need a trial to tell us that power in our state has been given over to corporations”, like CPV. He pointed out that Cuomo has received more money from corporations than any governor in the history of NYS.

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NYC Councilman Jummane Williams​ says “Nobody can deny, money is buying things in Albany”. He questions why CPV was approved despite NY stance on fracking. “Now we have the opportunity to step up and do the right”

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Ted Glick ​, from Beyond Extreme Energy​ explained “Natural gas is at least as bad as coal when it comes to methane and climate change.” He called for 100% renewables now.

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Laura Shindell ​from Food and Water Watch spoke to the integrity of our political system and our democracy and called upon Gov. Cuomo to break up with fossil fuels. “It's a toxic relationship and it is the residents of Orange County and NY state that are the casualties. 

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Kim Fraczek​ of Sane Energy called out Cuomo for expanding fracked gas infrastructure in 2017. “ He must be held responsible”, speaking to direct action planned at the state house to demand Como halt all fracking infrastructure in this state. Sane Energy plans to descend on

Albany April 23 We’re getting pissed off. Their not listening to us.

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Tina Bongar, ​with Stop The Algonguin Pipeline Expansion, ​ who lives near the AIM Pipeline has long been asking for the state to conduct an independent risk assessment of the 42 inch high pressure pipeline’s proximity near Indian Point’s spent fuel rods. She said the New York Independent Systems Operator​ (NYISO) recently testified in a public hearing that neither CPV nor Cricket Valley are necessary to close Indian Point. The Percoco trial testimony shows that one of the policies Percoco was to influence for CPV was to get the Cuomo administration to support the closing of Indian Point which the company believed was critical for it to be able to get financing for the project. Testimony also showed that Percoco set up meetings between co-defendant and CPV executive Braith Kelly, and NYISO representative Thomas Rumsey, who has since replaced Kelly at CPV.

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Michael Schweinsburg​ President of the 504 Democratic, the largest Disability rights organization in the city, pointed out the dangers the plant poses to people with existing respiratory illnesses and said “on behalf of people with disabilities I beg the Governor to shut down this disgusting project.

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Actor and activist James Cromwell,​ a fierce opponent of corruption, has long fought against the harm CPV will bring to his community and who was arrested in 2016 while protesting the plant said, “ The only way to stop corruption is to vote for those people who don't accept money from PAC’s, from large corporations and from dark money. Those are progressives.”

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In response, a spokesperson for the Governor’s office reportedly responded that “A May 2016 order from chief counsel Alphonso David directed all state agencies to cease all communications and regulatory actions with Competitive Power Ventures. This order remains in effect.”. However Malick questioned how this was possible when CPV received several permits since then including interconnection to the state grid as well as renewals of several state permits that were issued on January 24th of this year. She said she was concerned about how regulatory oversight over the plant could be administered with such a policy and said all permits should have been suspended the day the indictments were announced.

The trial of Joseph Percoco and CPV executive Braith Kelly is expected to continue through next week.

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#Activism #Albany #AndrewCuomo #bribery #BuiltOnBribes #ClimateChange #climatejustice #CompetitivePowerVenture #CorDevelopment #corruption #courthouse #CPVValley #DontFrackItUp #FossilFree #FrackedGas #GovernorCuomo #JosephPercoco #loveNY #MakeREVreal #Methane #NewYork #NoCPV #NYC #OrangeCounty #PeacefulResistance #PeoplesClimate #PowerPlant #ProtectOrangeCounty #scandal #StopCPV #TopStaffer #trial 

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

Education rally at Tweed Courthouse demands actions that show 

“Black Lives Matter at School”

NYSAPE calls on education and policy leaders to break their silence and to stand up for educational and racial justice in our public schools

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New York, NY - Amidst allegations of overt racism at several city schools, the #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool Coalition held an after school rally on February 13, 2018; at the steps of the Tweed Courthouse, to demand a forward-thinking change in policies that uphold systemic racism in our schools. Black Lives Matter At School demands were delivered by the organizers to the New York City Schools Chancellor, Carmen Fariña. 

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They delivered the following national demands to Chancellor Fariña and Mayor De Blasio:

1) An end to zero tolerance discipline and implementation of restorative justice 

2) The hiring of more Black teachers 

3) Black history and ethnic studies mandated as part of K-12 curriculum

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The NYS Allies for Public Education (NYSAPE) calls on the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), NYC Department of Education, NYSED, the professional associations representing school administrators, members of the NYS Legislature, and Governor Cuomo to stand with teachers, students, and parents in denouncing all acts of racism, including the recent racist events at NYC schools MS 118 and MS 224, and to call for an immediate commitment to training for ALL current teachers, pre-service teachers, and school administrators in anti-bias, anti-racist, and culturally responsive teaching.

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Speakers included members from the NYCLU Youth Activist Project, student drummers from Harvest Collegiate, students, educators, and parents.

The National Black Lives Matter Week of Action was covered by NPR, The Washington Post, the NY Daily News, and Mic.com. In NYC the week will culminate in this event, featuring speakers and participants from last week’s teach-ins, forums, and other educational gatherings.  

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#Activism #BlackHistory #BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool #EndBrokenWindows #‎EndPoliceBrutality‬ #EndPoliceTerror #EthnicStudies #HireBlackTeachers #ItStopsToday #manhattan #MayorDeBlasio #NoRacistPolice #NYC #NYCMayor #NYCschools #NYSAPE ‎#PowerToThePeople #racism #ReclaimDignity #SafetyBeyondPolicing #‎Solidarity #TakeBackOurCommunities #teachers ‪#‎ThisStopsToday‬ #unafraid #WeWillNotBeSilent

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