Membership Meeting, Public Housing Campaign Kickoff, Extreme Heat Policy Agenda, Federal Policy Office, In the News, Gala, Get Involved

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Membership Meeting: Heat & COVID-19

Saturday, July 11th
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT

Don't forget that our July Membership Meeting is tomorrow, July 11th, at 10:00 AM EDT. We'll be talking about summer heat waves and how we can cope with COVID-19 keeping many of us indoors. Our speakers will include:
* Carolyn Olsen, Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
* Jainey Bavishi, Director, Mayor’s Office of Resiliency
* Tanya Jones, Director of Energy Assistance and Community Development, HeartShare Human Services
* Sonal Jessel, WE ACT’s Heat Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

We will also discuss some of the policy recommendations ([link removed]) our Climate Justice Working Group ([link removed]) has been developing and would like to get your feedback!

This meeting will be held via Zoom ([link removed]) . Register Today ([link removed])

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WE ACT's Public Housing Campaign Kickoff Meeting

Tuesday, July 21st
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM EDT


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Are you a public housing resident who:
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* is fed up with calling in repair tickets?
* has suffered health issues caused by or made worse by poor housing conditions?
* believes change is possible if we get organized?

Then come join our Healthy Homes Working Group ([link removed]) and be a part of this campaign! In preparation for the 2021 New York City Council and Mayoral races, we will work together to organize and build on your leadership to protect public housing and improve living conditions to ensure every public housing resident lives in a healthy home. Come join us and make a difference in your community!

This meeting will be held via Zoom ([link removed]) . Register Today ([link removed])

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Our Federal Policy Office has had another busy month down in Washington, DC. We held a press conference ([link removed]) to voice our opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act. We have also been raising concerns ([link removed]) about the appointment of Nancy Beck to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We responsed ([link removed]) to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' report, “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient and
Just America." And we submitted a letter of record ([link removed]) to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce's hearing on “Pollution and Pandemics: COVID-19’s Disproportionate Impact on Environmental Justice Communities.” In addition, we have been helping to facilitate the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum ([link removed]) and are actively planning its virtual 2020 Summer Convening on July 29.

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Extreme Heat Advocacy: Keeping Our Community Cool


Saturday's heat-focused membership meeting ([link removed]) is just the tip of the melting iceberg. WE ACT has a long history of working to address the health impacts of extreme heat in our communities. You can learn about our current work - and how you can get involved - by visiting weact.org/heat ([link removed]) . You will also find a link to our new 2020 Extreme Heat Policy Agenda ([link removed]) as well as a host of other resources to help inform you about how to stay safe and healthy during this summer's combined threats of heat waves and COVID-19.

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WE ACT in the News

As we shared in an earlier email ([link removed]) , Peggy Shepard was interviewed by CBS ([link removed]) about the environmental justice movement and why, in this time of COVID-19 and renewed protests for racial justice, it has become an even more critical issue. She also spoke to Politico ([link removed]) on this issue as well. She was interviewed by Grist ([link removed]) , the Guardian ([link removed]) , and the Hill ([link removed]) on the return of the National Black Environmental justice Network
([link removed]) as well as Common Dreams ([link removed]) and Gizmodo ([link removed]) on the the climate, environment, and energy planks of the 2020 Democratic Party Platform. In addition, she spoke with the Center for American Progress ([link removed]) about energy insecurity, Mother Jones ([link removed]) about the Climate Crisis Action Plan, and Morning Consult ([link removed]) about why people of color are more concerned about pollution.

Cecil Corbin-Mark was interviewed by the New Republic ([link removed]) about Renewable Rikers, including our Solar Uptown Now work and solar workers cooperative, as well as E&E News ([link removed]) about the need for action on the CLCPA.

Kerene Tayloe was interviewed by Grist ([link removed]) on on ways to address the compounded threats of racial injustice, climate change, and COVID-19. She also spoke with E&E News ([link removed]) about our opposition to the the nomination of Nancy Beck to head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and to Audubon ([link removed]) on the Trump administration’s Executive Order to waive environmental reviews for infrastructure projects. And she made a wildly popular IGTV guest appearance on actress, comedian, and screenwriter June Diane Raphael's Instagram account!

Sonal Jessel was interviewed by Grist ([link removed]) and WNYC Radio ([link removed]) about our advocacy to get New York City to provide free air conditioners along with the funds to operate them for the most vulnerable members of our community. She also spoke with Bloomberg Law ([link removed]) about energy insecurity in the summer of COVID-19.

And Taylor Morton was interviewed by WFUV Radio ([link removed]) about environmental justice and the impact of COVID-19 as well as the HuffPost ([link removed]) for an article on the intersection of racism, inequality, and the environment.

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Get Ready for the 2020 WE ACT Gala!

Thursday, October 15th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Mark your calendar for the 2020 WE ACT Annual Gala. It will be held on Thursday, October 15. We will be posting additional information throughout the summer, but you can already become a sponsor ([link removed]) . Learn More ([link removed])

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With the continued threat of environmental racism, the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the opportunities raised by the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 is not the year to simply read email newsletters (though we do thank you for doing that). Here are some ways you can get more involved with WE ACT:

Become a Member ([link removed])
Make a Donation ([link removed])
Join Our Climate Justice Working Group ([link removed])
Join Our Healthy Homes Working Group ([link removed])
Follow Us on Twitter ([link removed])
Follow Us on Instagram ([link removed])
Follow Us on Facebook ([link removed])


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