This Week: Climate Action, May Day, and the April Meeting

Written By Alan Cole

This Week’s Focus: Solidarity Starts Here

This week’s newsletter focuses on what we can do locally, right now. While national politics can feel distant or overwhelming, real influence comes from consistent action at the community level. That means showing up, making calls, supporting candidates, and organizing together where we live.

Building that kind of local power takes connection, and one of the ways we do that is by coming together in person at our upcoming IMV meeting.

IMV April 26, 2026 Meeting – “What’s Next after NK3?”
More details below, including an activism fair and ways to plug into ongoing IMV work.

Over the next two weeks, here’s what you can do:

1. Urgent Actions
Defend New York’s Climate Law (CLCPA)

Governor Hochul is threatening to weaken New York's landmark Climate Law through the state budget. The budget deadline has been extended while lawmakers negotiate. 

Please Take the Following Actions to Advocate for the Climate Law.

CALL GOVERNOR HOCHUL and LEGISLATIVE LEADERS every day until the budget is passed with the following message:

“Hi, my name is ___________ and I’m calling to urge the Governor to advance-not retreat-on NY’s climate law. Expensive gas, aging gas infrastructure, and utility greed are raising bills, not the climate law. The climate law exists to support communities impacted by the climate crisis, create the clean-energy economy of tomorrow, and protect our future. Changing timelines or weakening commitments does not change that reality. Protect our planet and communities-uphold the CLCPA.”

Also add that you would like her to support the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power act, also known as the ASAP bill (S.6570/A.8758).
Calling after hours is fine-just leave a message. 

  • Call the Governor in Albany 518-474-8390 or her NYC office 212-681-4580.

  • Call Senate Leader: Andrea Stewart-Cousins Albany 518-455-2585 or 212-298-5585.

  • Call Assembly Leader: Carl Heastie Albany 518-455-3791 or 718-654-6539

Also ask her to support the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act (S.6570/A.8758).

Tell Congress: Vote NO on Additional Funding for War with Iran

The Pentagon is preparing to request at least $50 billion, possibly more than $100 billion, in additional funding for the war with Iran. The first six days alone cost $11.3 billion, and total costs are already nearing $15 billion.

Worryingly, some Democrats who oppose the war are now open to voting yes on supplemental funding.

Call your members of Congress and urge them to vote NO. The following links will connect you to your Representative and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand:

House: https://indivisible.org/actions/no-war-iran-house/
Senate: https://indivisible.org/actions/no-war-iran-senate/

Tell Congress: No Warrantless AI Mass Surveillance

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was passed in 2008 as a counterterrorism measure, but has a long history of abuse from the federal government, especially when it comes to surveillance.

Let your Members of Congress know you expect them to reject reauthorization unless it includes significant reforms to protect our civil liberties against this authoritarian regime.

Click here to email your Senators and Representatives.

2. Local Events & Rallies

Join Us at a Rally!

ROME:
Saturday, April 18, 12–1:30 pm
Black River Blvd near Erie Blvd (by Fort Stanwix)
Weekly peaceful protest with music and creative signs.

UTICA:
Thursday, April 23, 4–5 pm
Pirnie Federal Building, 10 Broad St.
Bring a sign (extras available) as we protest authoritarianism, unnecessary war, and complicit officials.

3. Make Your May Day Plan – Friday, May 1

Coming on the heels of our historic projection of people power on No Kings Day, Indivisible is joining May Day Strong, labor groups, and other allies for a massive day of nonviolent economic disruption. The billionaire class is profiting off environmental destruction, democratic backsliding, and the erosion of our social safety net. On May Day, we’re putting that power dynamic into focus and reminding them where real power lies. It is with the people.There are many ways to participate, from refusing to shop, to walking out, to attending a demonstration. However you join, it matters.

Core demands:

1.  Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first.
2.  No ICE. No war. No private army serving authoritarian power.
3.  Expand democracy. Hands off our vote.

Locally, IMV encourages “no work, no school, no shop.” We are also asking members to take part in a positive, proactive community action. Here's a menu to choose from:

★ Option 1: May Day Strong “Together We Stand” – Syracuse
12-2 pm, James M. Hanley Federal Building, 100 S. Clinton Street, Syracuse.  Participate in a big, fun rally in Syracuse. IMV is one of many co-sponsors.  Because when the billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. More information.
★ Option 2: Bridge Brigade Bonanza (Herkimer & Marcy)
We will need 16 people at the Herkimer location and 16 at the Marcy location so that we can hold signs facing both directions of thruway traffic.  Mobilize sign up links coming soon. 
★ Option 3: Citizen Action May Day Event – Utica
This will be a shared community solidarity meal with music and speakers on a variety of social justice topics.  More details to come!

4. IMV April Meeting: “What’s Next after NK3?”

IMV’s April meeting will feature an activism fair—a one-stop shop to plug into political action in the ways that interest you. Get involved in:

  • May Day volunteering

  • Letters to the editor

  • Bridge Brigade

  • Climate Crisis Working Group

  • Posters and visibility

  • Refugee & immigrant support

  • And more

We’ll also discuss our electoral strategy this year, from postcarding to canvassing and direct voter outreach.
Sunday, April 26 | 1:30–3:30 pm
Jewish Community Center, 2310 Oneida Street, Utica

RSVP so we know you're coming! https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/936263/

5. Jon Lipe for Assembly

Jon Lipe’s first fundraiser is on Wednesday, April 22, 6–8 pm, at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. Please buy a ticket and share the information with a friend!

If you live in the 119th Assembly District, your ticket makes a huge financial impact. All in-district donations from Utica, Rome, Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown will be matched by the NYS public matching fund.

  • $25 will be matched $300

  • $100 will be matched $1,050

  • $250 will be matched $2,300

We can’t wait to see Jon represent the 119th Assembly District in the state legislature. IMV will also be active in May helping Jon secure an independent ballot line, Mohawk Valley First. So be ready to lace up your favorite petitioning shoes again!

Independent Line Explainer:
Independent ballot lines are critical in our area for making it easier for unaffiliated voters, as well as those with stronger ties to the Republican party, to vote for the best candidate. In this case, that’s Jon Lipe. Jon already has the Working Families Party line and hopes to win the Democratic line in the June 23, 2026 primary (and IMV will help with that too!).

Anyone can help collect independent petitions—just show up at the times and locations below.
Pickup and Drop-off Locations:
★  Sundays in Rome
Dunkin, 1155 Erie Blvd W – 4:30 pm
April 19 – May 17
★  Tuesdays in Whitesboro
Dunham Library – 6 pm
April 21 – May 19
★. Thursdays in Utica
Utica Public Library – 6:30 pm
April 23 – May 14

Jon Lipe has helped IMV build grassroots electoral activism since 2017. He believes in people-powered direct voter outreach and in being part of a community of activists. He has answered every call we’ve made—helping us understand what’s happening in Washington and locally, and connecting us with elected officials. He’s been there for us. Now that he’s running for the first time, we’ll be there for him. More ways to support him:

6. Climate Crisis Working Group

Earth Day is Every Day

The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, launched the modern environmental movement and led to the creation of the EPA. “Environmental progress is built through everyday action… Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience aren’t optional—they’re essential. Every action counts. Every voice matters.” (Earthday.org)

Progress doesn’t happen in silence. It happens when people show up. Whether it’s planting a native tree, cleaning up your park, or advocating for policy...continue to make life changes that help combat climate change to protect our Mother Earth!

There is no Planet B.

 Save-the-Dates the dates to go to Albany!

  • May 6: ASAP Act Lobby Day

  • May 11: Beyond Plastics Lobby Day

Alan Cole
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This Week: Child Care, Climate, and Collective Action