Copied from a PRESS RELEASE sent on April 22th, 2018. Contacts: Gibrian Hagood 607-379-9734, Amanda Kirchgessner 607-339-6075, Mary Anne Grady Flores 607-280-8797 

TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUTH COMMISSION: 

TESTIFY and LISTEN on how racism, the war economy, economic injustice, and ecological devastation have failed us and our community.

Southside Community Center

Saturday, April 28th, 3 – 6 pm

Free Meal by La Cocina Latina Catering and Tickets for Free Haircuts for Teens & Kids

Share your story (5 minutes) on how you, or your family, or people you know have been affected negatively by “the system.” Register to testify.

If you don’t have:

• a job that pays a living wage
• affordable health care
• reliable transportation
• affordable housing
• clean water in your home or school

Or if you have experienced:

• profiling (such as driving while Black, Brown, Latinx, or being LGBTQIA, or Muslim)?
• Being wait-listed for housing or other services?
• Having to choose between buying food and paying rent?
• Being sanctioned with loss of benefits?
• Inadequate veteran’s benefits?
• Lead contamination in your home or children’s school

Then we want to hear from you! Your voice is important! Come tell your story, share a free meal and get tickets for free haircuts for teens and kids at Southside Community Center, Saturday, April 28th, between 3 – 6 pm. Please RSVP so we know how much to cook. 607-280-8797.

The Tompkins Co.Truth Commission will have local commissioners listening to and gathering our stories. They will add them to the Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) report on racism, poverty, militarism and ecological devastation in NYS. In addition, the Tompkins County Poor People’s Campaign will be going to Albany to join thousands in a peaceful mass demonstration against laws that hurt people in our communities. There will be 2 local trainings for those who want to join the nonviolent moral direct action in Albany. (Info below). In a historic move, the National PPC will be demonstrating at 40 State Legislative Houses across the country the same day with thousands marching in their own states.

First Day of Action in Albany Monday, May 14 -Tompkins County PPC is sponsoring free buses to go to Albany for this demonstration. The buses will be leaving at 7:30am from the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) at 301 West Court Street, Ithaca on Monday, May 14^th. Buses will return approximately 8 pm. There are active roles for people not risking arrest. Info for buses, go to GIAC or the GIAC website. To sign up for the bus: Click here to register.

2 Nonviolent Moral Direct Action Trainings  REGISTER HERE

There will be two options for training, for those considering participating in nonviolent moral direct action in Albany, NY during the Campaign’s 40 Days of Action. All participants will pledge nonviolence. There are active roles for people not risking arrest.

Sunday, April 29, 1 – 6 pm. First Baptist Church of Ithaca, 309 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca.

Saturday, May 5. 10 – 3 pm. Unitarian Church Annex, 208 E. Buffalo St., Ithaca.