Using Our People Power to Gain Political Power
A Call to Action for the 2020 Democratic Primary
Sunrise NYC is the New York City hub of the Sunrise Movement — one of the largest local hubs in the country. We are young New Yorkers concerned about what the climate crisis means for the people and places we love.
It’s been a tough spring. Shelter-in-place has kept our 600+ members from rallying in the streets, knocking on doors, and building participatory art actions. With Bernie out of the race for president, the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, rampant unemployment, the beginning of hurricane season and summer heat waves, and our Black brothers and sisters (who are especially vulnerable to all of these crises) being shot down in the streets — the vision of the just future we hope for feels incredibly far away.
We’ve never had more to fight for.
Somehow, amid this time of grief and turmoil, there are parts of Sunrise’s work that have grown even stronger: namely, cross-issue coalition building, as well as mobilizing for progressive climate champions running for public office. We are reimagining our purpose and strategies as we join activists from around the world, rising up with #BlackLivesMatter against racism and police brutality, and advocating for a just response to COVID-19.
After months apart, many of us are finally seeing one another for the first time in the streets — planting the seeds for the better future we know is possible, while staring down the root of systemic racism in America. In solidarity with thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers, we affirm that Black Lives Matter.
Sunrise NYC is joining a mosaic of progressive organizations and activists from across the country that are calling to defund the police and dismantle the carceral state. Racism expresses itself socially and environmentally, and the fight for climate justice is the fight for racial justice. Racism and the climate crisis both emerge from the same cultural ideology of extractive oppression — of people as well as the planet. Of all the truths that have come to light in recent weeks, it’s become increasingly clear that we’re in this together.
Our members have never been more certain about the power of today’s multidimensional movements for justice and we are emboldened by the progressive leaders that represent this uprising.
On Friday, June 5th, Sunrise NYC revealed the final addition to our slate of 16 endorsed candidates. This robust group of Green New Deal champions are also housing advocates, educators, civil rights activists, and frontline healthcare workers. They are committed to defunding the police, dismantling the racist carceral system, and solving our current economic and climate crises in ways that will center the needs of working-class New Yorkers. This strong group of 16 consider it their mission to deconstruct systems of oppression and inequality. If elected, they will lead the charge for intersectional justice on the federal, state, and local levels.
We’re also learning what it takes to elect these champions while sheltering-in-place. With many Sunrisers out of school for the summer or recently unemployed due to the pandemic, we have a newfound abundance of time. Throughout the six weeks before the 2020 Democratic primary on June 23rd, we’ve scheduled and are on track to host over 30 phonebanks for local candidates. We’re calling NYC residents to raise awareness about specific candidates, to help them request absentee ballots, and to share information about mutual aid networks. Further, as NYC is so heavily democratic, the upcoming primary will decide all. We’ve engaged with our fellow New Yorkers of all backgrounds and ages to discuss what the primary means for our city and nation.
As of June 5th 2020, we are well on our way towards our goal of making over 50,000 calls by election day — having already made ~20,000 calls in just three weeks. We’re calling on our city to recognize and support the incredible Black leaders, as well as POC and progressive allies, whom Sunrise NYC has endorsed for public office.
We’re calling on our city to vote for justice. We’re calling on our city to stand for change. We know it is possible, but we need your help.
Will you join us? Here’s how you can get involved:
Phonebank for Candidates
Pledge to Vote in the Democratic Primary
Donate to Candidates Campaigns