Explore our list of actions you can take this month to make our city, state, country, and planet a better place!
The motto of The New York Society for Ethical Culture is Deed Above Creed, something we’ve worked to live up to with our rich tradition of activism since 1876.
In that spirit, in 2021 and beyond the Society will be sending out Calls to Action, featuring important causes selected by our member committees and allies, because your voice and your deeds matter!
Tell Your State Senator to Support the Less Is More: Community Supervision Revocation Reform Act (S1144)
New York is #1 in the country in re-incarcerating people for minor violations of parole (e.g. something as small as being late for curfew). This outdated and unfair system is responsible for over 30% of new admissions in our jails and prisons and is a major pipeline for mass incarceration.
It impedes parolees from successfully reintegrating into their communities, with no measurable benefit to public safety. It disproportionally affects people of color: Blacks are 5 times more likely than whites to be sent back to prison for a minor violation statewide and 12 times more likely in NYC.
‘Less is More’ would restrict the use of incarceration for technical violations, bolster due process, provide speedy hearings, and provide earned time credits.
Sponsored by State Sen. Brian Benjamin (S1144) and Assym. Phara Forrest (A5576), ‘Less is More’ counts broad support from District Attorneys and other law enforcement officers as well as NYC and NYS officials. 277 organizations have endorsed ‘Less is More.’ You can see the list here.
This is the final push of the New York State legislative session, which ends on June 10!
Tell Your State Senator to Support the Teachers Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S4783A)
The New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has an estimated $4.5 billion invested in climate destroying fossil fuels with over $500,000,000 invested in Exxon Mobil alone. Bill S4783A would stop funding climate destruction and divest the system’s funds from all fossil fuels.
Find and reach out to your NY State Senator here with the following recommended script:
Senator_____, my name is ______. I am a constituent from _______. I am calling today to ask you to support S4783A, the Teachers Fossil Fuel Divestment Act.
The bill has the support of multiple local teachers’ unions, who have written letters of support for divestment to the NYS Teachers’ Retirement System Board.
Divestment enjoys the promise of securing more stable retirements as oil, gas, and coal stocks have been one of the worst performing sectors of the economy for over ten years.
I urge you to support S4783A, the Teachers Fossil Fuel Divestment Act. Thank you for your service.
For extra credit: If you’re on Twitter, please send the following tweet tagging your NY State Senator:
Help New York’s teachers divest from fossil fuels. It’s time to pass S4783A/A6331A!
This is the final push of the New York State legislative session, which ends on June 10!
