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The
Immigrant Voting Rights Project
Widely practiced during the first 150 years of U.S. history, the expansion
of voting rights to noncitizens is now undergoing a revival in communities
across the country. The Immigrant Voting Rights Project is a resource
network dedicated to restoring noncitizen voting and advancing immigrants
rights. The Project produces research about and advocates for noncitizen
voting; seeks to foster networks among immigrant advocates, community
activists, unions, academics and policy makers; analyzes past and current
noncitizen voting initiatives; disseminates information through websites,
publications and events; develops ways to give voice to one of the last
disenfranchised segments of the population; and aims to increase government
accountability in communities with large immigrant populations.
Comprised of broad range of organizations, the Immigrant
Voting Rights Project is coordinated by Ron Hayduk and
Michele Wucker,
a Senior Fellow at the World Policy Institute, with assistance
from New
York University Law Students for Human Rights. Based in
New York City, I represent the PSC in the Coalition
to Expand Voting Rights.
Professional
Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY)
I am active in the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), which is the union
that represents more than 20,000 faculty and staff at the City University
of New York (CUNY). The PSC is dedicated to advancing the professional
lives of its members, enhancing their terms and conditions of employment,
and maintaining the strength of the nation's largest, oldest and most
visible urban public university which serves over 200,000 students who
are predominantly working class people of color. I work primarily in three
areas: The Solidarity Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the PSC
chapter of my member college, BMCC.
Solidarity
Committee
The PSC is committed to solidarity, a core value and practice of the labor
movement. Solidarity means support for working people in their labor unions,
community organizations, and coalitions around specific, vital interests
(e.g. housing, health care, environment). Solidarity work builds the power
of the PSC, and thereby, workers and students. As we participate in the
struggles of co-workers, neighbors, students and engaged citizens, we
establish working relations which can be called upon for our own campaign
(e.g. contract, budget, organizing). For a list of members and activities,
see the above weblink.
Legislative
Committee
This is the political action and lobbying group within the PSC. I am the
VOTE COPE Coordinator for the PSC, which is also a member of the New York
State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Teachers
(AFT). The Legislative committee engages in a variety of activities --
at the city and state levels -- that can be found on the weblink above.
Brecht
Forum
The BRECHT FORUM is a place for people who are working for social justice,
equality and a new culture that puts human needs first. Through its programs
and events, the Brecht Forum brings people together across social and
cultural boundaries and artistic and academic disciplines to promote critical
analysis, creative thinking, collaboartive projects and networking in
an independent community-level environment. Throughout the year, the Brecht
Forum offers a wide-ranging program of classes, public lectures and seminars,
art exhibitions, performances, popular education workshops, and language
classes. These activities are developed in collaboration with the many
social movements and the diverse communities of this most cosmopolitan
of cities, and our programs bring together leading intellectuals, activists
and artists from New York, across the U.S., and internationally.
Since 1993, I have been a member of the Board of Directors serving in
several capacities and on various projects, including as co-chair from
1998-1999.
The
Coalition for Voter Participation
I represent the Professional Staff Congress in the Coalition, which engages
in a variety of educational, organizational and lobbying activities at
the city and state levels in New York. We advocate for reforms to reduce
barriers to voter registration and participation, level the playing field
for candidates (ballot access and campaign finance), improve election
practices and administration, and provide for greater government access
and accountability.
New York
State Citizens’Coalition on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 will affect the way we vote and hold
elections for years to come. HAVA requires substantial changes to the
way we will cast our ballots. New voting machines, ensuring equal access
for voters with disabilities and discriminatory provisions requiring identification
from certain voters are just some of the provisions that are either already
being implemented or must all be in place by the 2006 elections. The Coalition
strives to ensure HAVA enfranchises as many as possible and disenfranchises
as few as possible.
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