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Coalition
to Expand Voting Rights
Comprised of broad range of organizations, I am a member of the Coalition
to Expand Voting Rights in New York and an advocate of immigrant voting rights. Widely practiced during the first 150 years of U.S. history, the expansion
of voting rights to noncitizens is now undergoing a revival in communities
across the country. The Coalition to Expand Voting Rights is dedicated to restoring noncitizen voting and advancing immigrants
rights in NYC. The Coalition participates in research about and advocates for noncitizen
voting; fosters networks among immigrant advocates, community
activists, unions, academics and policy makers; analyzes past and current
noncitizen voting initiatives; disseminates information; develops ways to give voice to one of the last
disenfranchised segments of the population; and aims to increase government
accountability in communities with large immigrant populations.
Professional
Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY)
I am active in the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), which is the union
that represents more than 20,000 faculty and staff at the City University
of New York (CUNY). The PSC is dedicated to advancing the professional
lives of its members, enhancing their terms and conditions of employment,
and maintaining the strength of the nation's largest, oldest and most
visible urban public university which serves over 200,000 students who
are predominantly working class people of color. I work primarily in three
areas: The Solidarity Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the PSC
chapter of my member college, BMCC.
Solidarity
Committee
The PSC is committed to solidarity, a core value and practice of the labor
movement. Solidarity means support for working people in their labor unions,
community organizations, and coalitions around specific, vital interests
(e.g. housing, health care, environment). Solidarity work builds the power
of the PSC, and thereby, workers and students. As we participate in the
struggles of co-workers, neighbors, students and engaged citizens, we
establish working relations which can be called upon for our own campaign
(e.g. contract, budget, organizing). For a list of members and activities,
see the above weblink.
Legislative
Committee
This is the political action and lobbying group within the PSC. I am the
VOTE COPE Coordinator for the PSC, which is also a member of the New York
State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Teachers
(AFT). The Legislative committee engages in a variety of activities --
at the city and state levels -- that can be found on the weblink above.
The
Coalition for Voter Participation
I represent the Professional Staff Congress in the Coalition, which engages
in a variety of educational, organizational and lobbying activities at
the city and state levels in New York. We advocate for reforms to reduce
barriers to voter registration and participation, level the playing field
for candidates (ballot access and campaign finance), improve election
practices and administration, and provide for greater government access
and accountability.
New York
State Citizens’Coalition on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 will affect the way we vote and hold
elections for years to come. HAVA requires substantial changes to the
way we will cast our ballots. New voting machines, ensuring equal access
for voters with disabilities and discriminatory provisions requiring identification
from certain voters are just some of the provisions that are either already
being implemented or must all be in place by the 2006 elections. The Coalition
strives to ensure HAVA enfranchises as many as possible and disenfranchises
as few as possible.
Jackson Heights Green Alliance
Jackson Heights Green Alliance (JH Green) is a community group dedicated to increasing and improving open spaces in our neighborhood. Established in 2007, JH Green initially focused on exploring ways to initiate an expansion of Travers Park into a space adjacent to the park currently used by a Toyota car dealership. This is currently one of our priorities. JH Green also helped bring the 78th St. Play Street to Jackson Heights. Along with other community groups we initiated a project to close down 78th Street alongside Travers Park on Sundays all Summer in order to increase the space available to the community. JH Green continues to work with elected officials and neighborhood groups to try and find creative ways to improve Jackson Heights.
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