19 Comments
User's avatar
Deborah Magone's avatar

Any suggestions for local citizens? A list of actions? Is there a list of numbers for us to call and ask about the organization of a plan? How can we organize and get this plan together? It’s frustrating to see all these separate local action groups and no one working together .

Jane Kress's avatar

You are incorrect. Local action groups are working together. Check out nyrocprotest.com for a group to join.

Rachel Barnhart's avatar

Thanks for pointing out this resource, Jane. And thanks to all working on collective actions. I do think local governments have a different responsibility.

Deborah Magone's avatar

Link is broken. Page not found.

Deborah Magone's avatar

TU Jane. The most comprehensive I've seen so far. I've never seen this page before. Is there a reason 50501 is not listed? Does every group list their events on this calendar? Sorry so many questions. I'll be sharing this page & the calendar as much as possible. I hope more people will. Heads up, on the "Get Started Page" the "calendar" link is broken.

Deborah Magone's avatar

Also wondering about Rochester Rapid Response?

Julie Nolan's avatar

There are a couple of groups on Facebook that are helpful with information:

Knowledge and Action ROC

GRIT - Greater Rochester Integrity and Truth

Grit holds community meetings every week in Fairport, too. A lot of action items worked on in those meetings.

Rachel Barnhart's avatar

Yes so grateful for all of them. But they can’t control police and emergency responders and the DA. There are unique questions for government to get a handle on.

The local activist groups may end up being the only coordination we get, but I hope not.

Julie Nolan's avatar

I hope not, too.

I feel like there is truth to the saying, nobody is going to help us, but us.

I just never thought we’d be here. I knew it would be bad, but it is so much worse than bad. We are irreparably damaged at this point.

And I cannot believe all of us are not in agreement on that FACT.

Deborah Magone's avatar

TU I know of all the groups but I’m wishing there’d be a coalition working together . They all seem to be working separately.

Julie Nolan's avatar

I had a conversation with one of the organizers about this over the summer. The gist is, though many similar positions, all don’t align 100% on all issues. Not all battles are seen as imperative across the board. And there’s too much to cover if all were integrated. Specifically in the case of GRIT, apparently many who attend those meetings said they would not attend if the meetings were moved to a different location or didn’t mainly focus on Fairport and Perinton.

Deborah Magone's avatar

After being moderately active for 25 years here in Rochester, I know how difficult it is bringing groups together. It's a shame. As someone said at a meeting last week, paraphrasing a politician, for every one call or letter a congressperson receives from someone on the "left" they receive 8 from those on the "right". I'd think for the ICE issue it'd be an imperative issue worth connecting for and focusing on. How about Zoom meetings or streaming on Zoom for those who want to stay connected but can't be at physical meetings in Fairport or Perinton ?

Dwain Wilder's avatar

Minneapolis is unique in having politicians who support community-based nonviolent direct action, as we've all seen in the news.

Rochester is not a version of anything, regarding such matters. The history of activism displays no protection, patience or tolerance of street activism, going all the way back to FIGHT's campaign to get Blacks employed at Kodak. There is a substantial core of street activists, and some community-wide organizing is on-going in several groups, but little coordination between groups. However, the Jan. 8 street protest outside Rochacha BCP headquarters was well done, experienced communications, marshalling, sustaining coffee and food allowed long hours in a pretty chilly evening.

I think we know what we could be facing. And no amount of organizing and training is too much! I think Rachael's writing here is a good wake-up call for anyone who hasn't been following the news. And a bit of stringent exhortation might pull us all together.

Kudos!

Sewbrainer's avatar

we asked these very questions of Joe Morelle's staffers when we met with them on the 20th. they had no answers. crickets.

Jack's avatar

Completely agree and these are all valid points. There should be a plan and guidelines in place for any mobilization of federal forces into our neighborhoods as it's local law enforcements job to keep our communities safe.

I will be calling 911 any time I see masked individuals with guns claiming to be law enforcement.

Steve Chance's avatar

Rachel, can the Monroe County Leg pass a law banning the Monroe County Sheriff's Department from hiring anyone who previously worked at ICE, CBP, etc?

Rachel Barnhart's avatar

I am not sure - sometimes we are told we cannot make directives like that.

Nonazis's avatar

This has already played out in Rochester. Locust Club couldn’t wait to cover the FBI-bribed slurring red-faced nazi Homan with saliva, and the first chance they got, RPD disobeyed the order to not assist the masked secret police. They did it anyway. Law and order. Protect and serve. Fascism, that is.