Thank you! Join us in committing to take action.

Hello comrades and friends, 

Thank you so much for joining us for Clean Air’s event, Growing Strong Together: An Open House to Root our Power. Over 60 of us came together during an incredibly difficult time… in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade and with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to demand justice, the end to white supremacy, and the end to systematic racism. 

A week later, we write this email one day after Buffalo City Council Members approved a budget that allocates ⅓ of our municipal funds to the Buffalo Police Department. We have joined with our friend’s at Black Love Resists in the Rust to demand the City of Buffalo decrease funding to the Buffalo Police Department and increase funding for community needs like schools, programs, mental health services, and affordable housing. 

We are beyond disappointed that this budget was approved. We are angry. And we are committed to demand more from our leaders. Will you join us in demanding more now and into the future?

Below is information about how to take action. Additionally, please take five minutes to let us know what you thought of the Open House by filling out the event evaluation form: HERE. 

TAKE A STAND AGAINST POLICE KILLINGS AND RACIAL INJUSTICE

• For City of Buffalo residents, call or email your Common Council Members. If your council member voted NO for the budget, THANK THEM!. If your council member voted YES for the budget, express your disappointment. For a record of votes and sample phone scripts check out Black Love Resists in the Rust’s Tool Kit. 
•  For our members of color, join Black Love Resists in the Rust, the only intentional space for Black and Brown folks in Buffalo working to minimize and reduce the harm caused by the Buffalo Police. 
• For our white members, sign up for SURJ Buffalo’s General Meeting , Friday, June 5th from 7pm – 8:00pm. 

OPEN HOUSE RESOURCES

• Campaign Overview Presentation – You can also recap Clean Air’s campaign work on our website at cacwny.org. 
• Clean Air Video – If you didn’t catch the whole video, check it out here! 
• Clean Air Coloring Book – A resource for kids. Kids are in this movement too! If you have kids at home, this is a great place to get them started. 
• Clean Air Member Handbook – We hope you will download it and read it on your own time!  
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on our work! 
• Join our email and mailing list here!
• Become a Clean Air Member or Clean Air Supporter today. 

When our work is funded from the ground up, it not only ensures that we maintain power over the decisions we make and the actions we take, but it is also one of the most powerful tools we have in building grassroots community power. If we continue to have authentic and honest connections, creating real relationships with one another, we will build the collective power necessary to stop injustice AND reimagine a world that we can all live in. And so we invite you to join us by becoming a member or supporter today. 

SUPPORT CLEAN AIR’S CAMPAIGN TEAMS

• Tonawanda Coke: Please sign our petition for the DEC to create a Community Advisory Board at Tonawanda Coke. If you are a member of another organization, church group or businesses and would like to send an organizational letter of support, please email Emily@CACWny.org
• Tesla: Support our campaign to hold Tesla accountable for racism and sexual harassment. Sign our petition. 
• American  Axle: Learn more about our campaign to fully remediate the former American Axle site in Delevan Grider. 
• Huntley & Tonawanda Tomorrow: Join our team to help reimagine Tonawanda! Email Emily@Cacwny.org 
• Battaglia: Support our campaign to form a land trust on the former Battaglia site in Seneca Babcock. Sign our petition. 

For more information, email info@cacwny.org or call 716-852-3813. 

In love and Solidarity, 

The Clean Air Staff and Member Leaders