Today’s Vendor Justice March
The start of the Vendor Justice March at Union Square, August 15, 2024
Today we joined the Vendor Justice March led by the Street Vendor Project. We joined hundreds of street vendors and marched from Union Square to City Hall to demand that the City Council move forward with the #StreetVendorReform legislative package. Throughout the summer, we have seen more police raids on street vendors citywide. Instead of criminalizing immigrant entrepreneurs who are providing for their families and building their communities, the city should increase access to business licensing and tools that can help street vendors thrive. To learn more, check out the Street Vendor Project website.
Katal interns and staff marching to City Hall with Street Vendor Project on August 15, 2024
Farewell to Our Summer Interns Lune, Sara, and Calum
Calum left, Lune second from left, and Sara third from left during a canvassing and door-knocking in Harlem, June 11, 2024.
Since June, our interns Sara, Lune, and Calum have played an integral part in our Shut Rikers campaign and our summer organizing intensive. They helped us pull off our big Shut Rikers action in July, participated in canvassing and outreach across the city, tabled at senior centers and libraries, engaged city council members in discussions about Resolution 183, connected with community organizations in their neighborhoods, phone-banked, helped plan a Shut Rikers info session, and much more! The interns also took the skills they learned this summer and taught young people in Harlem about canvassing and door-knocking.
As they gear up to return to campus, we look forward to hearing about how they’re incorporating their organizing skills in their campus groups, clubs, and organizations. Thank you and best wishes, Sara, Lune, and Calum!
If you or someone you know is interested in interning or volunteering with us, please contact Yonah at yonah@katalcenter.org.
Last Saturday’s Shut Rikers Zine Art Build
Katal members, interns, and staff took part in the zine art build with Josh MacPhee on August 10, 2024.
Last Saturday, our members, interns, and staff joined designer, artist, and archivist Josh MacPhee for a community art build to make copies of our Shut Rikers zine.
During the art build, our members and their families learned how to put a zine together from start to finish. Shut Rikers: A Brief History of Political Graphics in 15 Stickers is a history lesson, organizing tool, and sticker publication tracing the arc of reproducible political graphics over the past 100 years through 15 examples. Josh also gave a presentation about the use of art and visuals to support campaigns and community organizing.
You can purchase a copy of the zine online. All proceeds will go toward organizing to shut Rikers.
If you would like to sell the Shut Rikers zine at your store, on your website, or at an event, please contact Yonah at yonah@katalcenter.org.
Wednesday 8/21: Shut Rikers Phone Zap
Join us next Wednesday, August 21, from noon to 1 p.m. for our Shut Rikers Phone Zap via Zoom! You can RSVP here. We will be calling New York City Council members to demand that they take immediate action to end the suffering and violence at Rikers. With at least 32 deaths among people in Department of Correction custody since Adams took office, the city council must swiftly pass Resolution 183, which calls on the federal courts to immediately appoint an independent receiver to take over Rikers and improve conditions there until it is shut down.
Join us at noon this Wednesday, August 21, for our Shut Rikers Phone Zap!
Any questions? Reach out to Ricky at ricky@katalcenter.org.
Thursday 8/22: Community Conversation at Brooklyn Heights Library
Join us for our Shut Rikers community conversation at the Brooklyn Heights Library (286 Cadman Plaza West) next Thursday, August 22, at 6 p.m.! RSVP here.
During this event we’ll:
- Discuss the current conditions at Rikers Island.
- Share our campaign demands and recent updates.
- Provide action steps to get involved in the fight to shut Rikers.
Register here to attend. Refreshments will be provided!
Reach out to Melanie@KatalCenter.org for more information.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“Sometimes we have to do the work even though we don’t yet see a glimmer on the horizon that it’s actually going to be possible.” ― Angela Y. Davis
“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul.
Wisdom is better than silver and gold.”
— Bob Marley and the Wailers, “Zion Train”
For printing and distribution,
download the Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org Phone: 646.875.8822
