9/8/25 Monthly Meeting

Topic:. Dignity Not Detention Act (S316/A4181) 

This bill would get NY State out of the business of caging immigrants.  When immigrants and communities can live in dignity and freedom, we'll create a

more welcoming state for all who call New York home.  Our organizing follows the lead of direclty impacted people, and includes not only lobbying but also

letter writng and financial support for detained folks and their families, and educating the publlc on the need for abolition of the entire prison industrial       

complex.

Speaker: Sophia Gurule member of Critical Resistance and the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys - UAW Local 2325.  She previously worked in deportation defense for 8 years at the Bronx Defenders.

Speaker: Alex Zucker member of the Immigration Justice Working Group with SURJ NYC, the New York City chapter of Showing Up For Racial Justice

 Topic: Let NY Vote & Democracy During Detention:  Why Jail Voting Access Matters

Speaker: Louie Sawi is the Coordinator of Let NY Vote Coalition -  He is a human rights advocate with a strong track record of 17 years in organizing and training.  Louie organizes for the national liberation and genuine sovereignty of the Filipino people through the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines.

Speaker: Clyanna Lightbourn is an activist, organizer, facilitator and educator with over 15 years of experience in racial, social, and economic justice. She organized an Albany demonstration during the George Flyed Summer and is a certified doula commmited to ensuring that Black and marginalized birthing people have access to safe and affirming birthing experiences.

Educational Training - Power and Purpose - Beacon NY September 27th - Free training is a one-day high impact training to equip people with skills to fight back and organize for change.

Speaker: Mabel Tso - Raised on the Lower East Side/Chinatown is an organizer and advocate who has worked on defending and advancing the rights of low wage immigrants and is currently the senior strategist for the NYCLU at the Education Policy Center. 

Topic: Rockland Immigrant and ERCSD Updates