PUSH Buffalo

12/12/2020

2020 Annual Member’s Meeting – PUSH Buffalo

It's getting to be about that time! PUSH Buffalo’s annual meeting is the moment when our community elects board members* and our organization reflects on our achievements over the last year.

This year’s annual meeting is from 3-5pm TODAY on the virtual platform Zoom to ensure that as many of our members can safely participate as possible. Zoom link is in the link below on our website!

What: PUSH Buffalo’s annual meeting is the moment when our community elects board members* and our organization reflects on our achievements over the last year.

12/11/2020

Looking for something to do starting in the New Year? Join the Eco Justice Book Club. Our book club is currently finishing the last 2 chapters of As Long As Grass Grows by Dina Gilio-Whitaker. If you are interested in joining us for our next book please vote here: https://bit.ly/ejbbook2 Our options consist of Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay (Non-fiction), An African American and Latinx History of the US by Paul Ortiz (Non-fiction), My Grandmother's Hands : Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem (Non-Fiction), Black Faces, White Spaces by Carolyn Finney (Non-fiction), War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A Denis (Non-Fiction), The Assassination of Fred Hampton by Jeffery Haas, and The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (Science Fiction). Contact [email protected]

12/11/2020

Inside Upstate New York's Lead Poisoning Crisis - New York Focus

"The problem falls disproportionately on poorer children of color, who often live in older, ill-maintained housing stock. In Buffalo, children in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods are 12 times more likely to get lead poisoning than children in white neighborhoods."

25 upstate counties have higher lead poisoning rates than Flint at the height of its crisis. A new bill could change that.

12/10/2020

Happy Chanukah to our Jewish sisters, brothers, and siblings in Buffalo. May this season be filled with light, hope, justice, and unexpected joy.

#ChanukahSameach

12/10/2020

Kwanzaa Essay Contest for Students in Grades 4-12

First place is $100

12/10/2020

Buffalo community rallys around family evicted after fire

#TenantPower #BuffaloTBR #BuffaloHomesGuarantee #NYHomesGuarantee

“The landlord illegally kicked them out and who are they supposed to turn to, they can’t turn to the housing court, they can’t turn to the police, so we’re going to continue to stand out here and support each other. But we need the system to step and up do its job, we need the legislator to step up and do their job, we need the governor to step up and do his job, or this will continue happening over and over and that ain’t right.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)–Community leaders and housing advocates are demanding answers after a family was evicted from their rental house. The family was kicked out of their home on Humason Avenu…

12/10/2020

Grant Street Neighborhood Center (GSNC) and Poetic Cafe present:

Creative PUSH: An Artistic Open Mic
Tuesday, December 15th
6pm - 8pm
Via Zoom (Link TBA)
FREE EVENT

Come enjoy an open mic night of social distancing, poetry, music, and fun with your host L Period!

We also have some amazing features:
Feature Poet GOODNE$$
Feature Artist MYQ F

Oh! And some special guests!
Special Guest Artist: Marja’e
Special Guest Poets: Danielle Johnson, Marquis, and Nzingha

Open Mic Sign Up (6pm-6:15pm)
Open Mic Poets/Artists may read or perform any subject matter.

All ages are welcome!

Event Link:

DISCLAIMER:
Grant Street Neighborhood Center (GSNC) and the Poetic Cafe are committed to maintaining free speech within our spaces both online and physical. We encourage everyone who is present to express themselves within our space. This means you may hear: mature language, mature themes, difficult and/or triggering content during this event. However, we do mot condone hate speech, words or behavior that advocates violence, threatens, harasses, or in some other way silences someone else.

https://fb.me/e/46RrwGCn0

12/09/2020

National Fuel Accountability Coalition | Children and Families Speak-Out Rally (July 2012)

We've been building grassroots community power for a very long time! Here's a throwback from 8 years ago! Join us this Sat. Dec. 12th for our annual meeting where members of PUSH Buffalo elect new board members!

Members of the National Fuel Accountability Coalition (NFAC) participated in the first of four pickets aimed at National Fuel Gas (NFG), on Monday, July 2. T...

12/09/2020

New York’s $226 Billion Pension Fund Is Dropping Fossil Fuel Stocks

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, who controls the massive $226 billion New York State pension fund, just announced the NYS fund will divest from the fossil fuel industry and decarbonize its entire portfolio of investments.

This is a massive victory in the fight against climate change!

The fund will divest from fossil fuels in the next five years and sell its shares in other companies that contribute to global warming by 2040.

12/09/2020

Frustrated landlords turning to illegal 'self-help' evictions

#BuffaloTBR

"We know that during this pandemic, even though there was a universal eviction moratorium, there are people who are unjustly being evicted from their homes every day," said Harper Bishop, deputy director of movement building at PUSH Buffalo. "These are real people, with real families, and they are living in horrific conditions, and it is intentional, it is purposeful. It is systemic. And it is not right."

When tenants are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back! Read more about today’s press conference on the illegal and immoral eviction of the Williams family. If you or someone you know has had a similar experience, we want to hear from you. Leave us a note in the comments or DM us.

Some landlords are growing tired of waiting, and are taking matters into their own hands with allegedly illegal tactics.

12/08/2020

Tenant Power 💪💪!!!! We're standing outside of 10 Humason Ave in Buffalo for a live press event for housing justice!

12/07/2020

Another Voice: Legislature can head off eviction and foreclosure crises

"Nearly 60% of Buffalo’s residents rent their homes; most of the rest of us are paying mortgages, indebted to the banks. Decades of profit-seeking from the real estate industry, combined with predatory lending and a lack of basic tenants’ rights, have made our city deeply unaffordable.

We have paths to take that can lessen the housing crisis, but we must lift our voices together and use them to let our elected officials know that now is the time for bold action. Buffalo’s renters and homeowners cannot wait."

We're in this fight locally for the #BuffaloTenantBillofRights and with our partners Housing Justice For all at the state level to pass a series of bills to protect tenants. Thank you to tenants' rights attorney Adam Bojak for this timely piece and for all that you do to assist PUSH Buffalo -- and so many others -- in holding landlords accountable.

As we enter the holiday season, thousands of families in Western New York – and millions more across the state – are unsure of their ability to pay next month’s

12/07/2020

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Media contacts:

Harper Bishop, PUSH Buffalo, [email protected], 716-783-0392
Angel Rosado, PUSH Buffalo, [email protected], 716-909-3529

In midst of worsening COVID-19 public health crisis, local family illegally evicted by California-based landlord Farhad Raiszadeh of Premium Heritage Homes, LLC

Family and community leaders speak out; call for tenant protections and a Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights

What: Press conference to hold California-based landlord Farhad Raiszadeh of Premium Heritage Homes, LLC accountable for the illegal and immoral self-help eviction of a local Buffalo family from their home at 10 Humason Ave. According to City of Buffalo records, Premium Heritage Homes, LLC owns and manages 24 properties in the city. Following a house fire in November, the Williams family was displaced from their home at 10 Humason Avenue and subsequently locked out and harassed by the landlord. The family contacted local officials multiple times in an attempt to regain access to their home and belongings. Officials failed to take corrective action and hold the landlord accountable. Speakers will demand action, including passage of a Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights.

When: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 10:30am

Where: 10 Humason Ave., Buffalo, NY 14211

Who: Members of the Williams family and community leaders, including members of PUSH Buffalo’s Tenant Power committee and housing attorney Adam Bojak

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12/03/2020

PUSH Green

PUSH Green

The 2020 HEAP season is now open! Read more on how to apply, and message us here for ways to cut energy use all year long!
** New York State Home Energy Assistance Program Opening **

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (#OTDA) opened the Home Energy Assistance Program (#HEAP) on November 2, 2020. HEAP is a federally funded program that assists eligible low-income households in meeting the cost of energy. Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, and primary heating source. Eligible New York households may receive one Regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for home heating. Applications for Emergency HEAP benefits will be available on January 4, 2021 for households without fuel or utility service or who are in danger of running out of fuel or having their utility service shut off. Assistance is also available to eligible homeowners for the repair, replacement, or clean and tune of applicant owned primary heating equipment. The OTDA HEAP website lists information about all #HEAP components, as well as eligibility requirements and benefit amounts. All applicants can download and print applications for the Regular HEAP component from the OTDA HEAP website.Those who live outside of New York City may also apply online through #myBenefits. Questions about the program should be directed to the local county Social Services district.

12/03/2020

PUSH Buffalo | Stop The Violence Community Luau: Part One

We've been doing this and growing together for a very long time! We're celebrating 15 years of building community based and grassroots power this year! Check out this throwback vid from 8 years ago! If you didn't know, next Saturday, Saturday December 12th is our annual meeting where members of #PUSHbuffalo democratically decide the board members who will be running the organization. If you are a member please follow the link in the comments section of this post to find out more about it, and join us virtually via Zoom.

On Friday, June 22, 2012 PUSH Buffalo held our annual "Stop the Violence Community Luau" at the newly renovated Massachusetts Avenue Park in front of the But...

12/02/2020

Thank you everyone who chose to support PUSH on #GivingTuesday! Back to work ✊🏽

12/01/2020

Virtual classes continue but Fashion and West side studios classes are full for the rest of the fall session .

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

When you support PUSH, you are supporting programs like the Fashion and Design program for young people through our Grant Street Neighborhood Center. There are currently 11 programs running through GSNC, from hip hop dance, to chess, to manifesting diversity!

Donate here: https://www.pushbuffalo.org/donate/

12/01/2020

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

When you support PUSH, you are supporting programs like the Fashion and Design program for young people through our Grant Street Neighborhood Center. There are currently 11 programs running through GSNC, from hip hop dance, to chess, to manifesting diversity!

Donate here: https://www.pushbuffalo.org/donate/

12/01/2020

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity - to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. If you are able to give today, we hope you chose to give to PUSH. https://www.pushbuffalo.org/donate/

11/30/2020

On December 2nd at 5pm we will be hosting a virtual screening of I AM GRETA, followed by an online conversation where we will discuss the film and talk about how we can mobilize to
protect our public lands.

To RSVP, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/pushscreening

The story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is told through compelling,
never-before-seen footage in this intimate documentary from Swedish director Nathan
Grossman. Starting with her one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish
Parliament, Grossman follows Greta—a shy student with Asperger’s—in her rise to
prominence and her galvanizing global impact as she sparks school strikes around the world.
The film culminates with her extraordinary wind-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean
to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City.

11/30/2020

Chess Club Online

Today at 4pm Click the Link below to join

Meeting ID: 983 8729 7559

Zoom : https://pushbuffalo.zoom.us/j/98387297559

11/30/2020

Art Exploring the African Diaspora Online Today at 4pm Click the Link below to join

Meeting ID: 98362983677

Zoom link Http://pushbuffalo.zoom.us/j/9051524939

11/30/2020

Capoeira Online Today at 4pm Click the Link below to join

Meeting id: 975 6833 8654

https://pushbuffalo.zoom.us/j/97568338654

11/30/2020

Grant Street Neighborhood Center PUSH Buffalo

Capoeira Online Today at 4pm Click the Link below to join https://pushbuffalo.zoom.us/j/97568338654

11/30/2020

NOW New York Changemaker Awards 2020

Our Executive Director Rahwa Ghirmatzion accepting her 2020
NOW New York change makers award!! Congrats to all the awardees this year!!

https://tinyurl.com/y6od6gbc

NOW New York honored three trailblazing women activists at the Annual State Conference on November 21, 2020. Hear from these three inspirational leaders: Bec...

11/28/2020

Alaska’s Controversial Pebble Mine Fails to Win Critical Permit, Likely Killing It

When we traveled to Alaska last year, our trans local partners educated us about this project and what was happening on the ground. Native Alaskans were concerned about its impact on their traditional ways of life and their homelands, amongst so many others. This would not have been a win without the organizing of Indigenous leaders and communities. We’re celebrating this win from afar with the many we met and the free we’re proud to call comrades!

The immense project would have been one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines, but regulators found it “contrary to the public interest” due to environmental risks in the pristine Alaskan tundra.

11/26/2020

Some words from PUSH Buffalo's Executive Director Rahwa Ghirmatzion for today and this season:

At this time, I am thinking about all of the people we loved and are now ancestors. I am acknowledging all ancestors to whom we are grateful, who struggled and sacrificed for our survival and liberation. Who passed on precious knowledge, guidance and care.

I am thinking about all of the people that are going through hardship - especially during this time of #COVID19 when we have had to change our regular plans in order to ensure the health and safety of others. If you are able, I encourage you to check on your comrades and loved ones who will be alone this holiday season and find ways to lift them up, in the spirit that we are part of a community fabric rooted in care for each other.

I am thinking about our Indigenous sisters, brothers, and siblings, especially the Seneca Nation and Haudenosaunee whose land we stand on. That this holiday for them is not one of celebration but one of deep violence and intergenerational trauma. I am committed to Indigenous sovereignty as I am committed to the collective liberation of all oppressed people.

#WETAKECAREOFUS #RevolutionaryLove #IndigenizeTheFuture
#WeAreAllInThisTogether

11/25/2020

Get Ahead Of Lead - Get Ahead Of Lead

Did you know? Western New York children suffer the highest rates of lead poisoning in the upstate. Buffalo ranks among the top 10 cities nationally for elevated blood lead levels in young children.

We're working with our partners at every level of government and multiple sectors to change that.

Recent amendments being crafted require all single and double non-owner occupied rental units in Buffalo to obtain a Certificate of Rental Compliance as a condition of rental. It must be renewed every three years.

Get Ahead of Lead (www.GetAheadofLead.org) was created to hold landlords accountable, protect tenants, and make sure everyone in our community has the resources needed to make Buffalo and WNY lead-free.

Buffalo is renovating more than ever before. That means it’s time for all of us—each landlord, tenant, and homeowner—to help make our community lead-safe.

11/22/2020

REITs Remain Overwhelmingly White As Diversity Push Falls Short

PUSH Buffalo Director of Movement Building Harper Bishop, a Buffalo, New York-based tenant advocate, said the landlords he has interacted with have been overwhelmingly White men, a problem that exacerbates the inequities facing minority renters.

“It’s incredibly important that there be diversity in real estate leadership, but the unfortunate problem is because of systemic and institutional racism, redlining, gerrymandering and the like, we see communities of color have been the people who have been left out of being able to create generational wealth and be part of that leadership, which is vastly skewed White and male,” Bishop said.

A Bisnow analysis of the 26 commercial real estate-focused REITs in the S&P 500 found 10 people of color serving in C-suite positions and 22 board members.