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05.30 What a week... in solidarity with the Mayorales Union
softpowervote.substack.com

05.30 What a week... in solidarity with the Mayorales Union

The Dianne Morales Campaign Saga, Outdoor Civic Newsroom Voterfest, More Merch!

Soft Power Vote
May 30, 2021
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05.30 What a week... in solidarity with the Mayorales Union
softpowervote.substack.com
The sun may set, but the fight goes on, because at dusk we rise again—reclaiming the gradient by @jiarfong  in collaboration with @tylerahazard for @mayoralesunion

What a week… Reclaim the gradient became a vibe this week. Here’s why: 

Maybe you’ve heard, but the Dianne Morales campaign got rocked this week when—out of the blue (to us at least!)—the campaign manager stepped down amidst vague accusations of a toxic work environment. Shortly after a duo were let go and things seemed to be settled, but then 4 staffers were terminated for what appears to be their effort to unionize the #Dianneverse. So what happened? Why were campaign staffers trying to unionize under the most progressive candidate in the mayoral race?  

What we know is there were some toxic actors mixed with an underpaid and overworked Dianne Morales campaign team. While working to set things right, those that stood up for the young Black, Brown, and Queer staffers and volunteers—the very backbone of this campaign—left the campaign in disappointment or were terminated.

Dianne has not seemed to meet this moment with the dignity or transparency she often spoke of during forums or when meeting with constituents. In the words of @NiaToniTone, “I don’t need perfection but I do need accountability.” This has (obviously) caused us to doubt Dianne Morales’ ability to lead a grassroots campaign, let alone the largest city in the USA, devoid of the toxicity and systemic racism she so often states she opposes. 

We still believe in her platform that centers dignity as well as the amazing people who came together to create one of the most exciting and progressive campaigns in NYC history. We know the members of the Mayorales Union are working to achieve the goals the campaign was built on, whether it’s with a specific candidate or through community action. That is why we stand in solidarity with the Mayorales Union who are performing a work stoppage until their simple demands are met:

  1. Immediately rehire their democratically elected union leaders and organize a time for staff to access offices to collect belongings.

  2. Revised equitable compensation.

  3. A new and expanded leadership structure that is co-created with campaign staff.

  4. Grievance process to create a neutral avenue for reporting workplace misconduct.

Campaigns are *intense* to say the least. and all staff, organizers, volunteers, phone-bankers, and door-knockers deserve respect, dignity, a workplace free from abuse, and a liveable wage. 

We’ll have our full ranking for mayor and the rest of the city-wide seats next week when we release the voter guide.

More below, including the 2nd Dem Mayoral debate, Secret Summer Sundays by Secret Riso Club, and a handy web tool to compare Mayoral platforms.

Wanna put something on our radar?

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ON THE RADAR

  • WATCH: Wednesday 06.02 7pm: The 2nd Dem Mayoral Debate on ABC

    • This is the second debate and the first with candidates debating each other IRL!

  • ACTION: Saturday 06.05 12pm: Voterfest: Outdoor Civic Newsroom with The City

    • There will be music, locally catered food, a collaborative art project — and information and activities to help you learn more about the coming election.

    • @ Mott Haven at Brook Park (494 E. 141st St.)

    • Sign up!

  • ACTION: 06.12-06.22: Get Out The Vote Call Banking with Democracy NYC

    • Help turn it up for the NYC Primary Election by helping your fellow NYers get ready to vote!

    • Sign up!

  • ACTION: 06.07: RECOMMENDED LAST DAY TO REQUEST YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT

    • Get it: nycabsentee.com

  • ACTION: 06.12-06.20: EARLY VOTING!

    • Find your early voting location and times: findmypollsite.vote.nyc

  • ACTION: 06.22: PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

    • Find your primary election day voting location and times: findmypollsite.vote.nyc


CULTURAL WORK

Soft Power Vote tees! Show your support for the civic process and help support us! We’ve got 2 designs by 2 fantastic artists: @justinhager (black/white) & @gonzalogue (off-white/blue). DM us on IG or Venmo $38* to @SoftPowerVote and put your size in the message. We’ve got small, medium, and large on tap, and we are taking pre-orders of XS and XL. *Not including shipping.

  • Secret Summer Sundays with Secret Riso Club

    • We’ll be joining our pals at Secret Riso Club in Bushwick, along with GenderFail, Irrelevant Press, SRC,  Fran Molina & Radio Ramses for some music, food, drink, art, literature and more.

    • Sunday 06.06 3-7pm @ 67 Central Ave, Bushwick

  • June 1 Filipino American Arts Directory submissions deadline. Join the community of Filipino artists in the fourth edition of this Fil/Am publication! 

  • The Food System is Racist: An interview with renowned urban farmer Karen Washington of the Bronx via the Guardian 


SOFT POWER VOTE

Percentage of campaign funds for wages/consulting fees via The City and gotta say, this makes us feel good about the Maya Wiley campaign.

  • Dianne Morales Staff Implosion Highlights Mayoral Campaign Pay Disparities via The City

    • Fascinating look at how pay shakes down with what info is available, as well as which candidates offer healthcare and paid time off.

  • Where they stand: Compare NYC mayoral candidates on the issues via NYDaily News & Gotham Gazette

    • With this week’s events leading us to question our #1, it’s a great time to compare the rest of the field. This fantastic tool lets you compare mayoral candidates! See how progressive Maya Wiley is, while the NYT darling, Kathryn Garcia, looks Republican-esque with many of her policy positions. 

  • The Mayoral Candidates: One Issue Explainer via Gothamist

    • See where the candidates stand on education, the arts, parks, vision zero and more!

Get Ready to Vote

  • Request Your Absentee Ballot

    • nycabsentee.com

    •  Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC

  • Find Your Voting Location

    • findmypollsite.vote.nyc

Important Dates

06.02 Last Day for BOE to Receive Voter Registration Through Mail

06.02 Last Day for BOE to Receive Change of Address

06.07 Recommended Last Day to Request Your Absentee/Mail-in Ballot

06.21 Last Day to Apply In-Person for Absentee/Mail-in Ballot

06.22 Last Day to Postmark/Deliver to BOE Absentee/Mail-in Ballot

06.12 - 06.20 Early Voting for Primary

06.22 Primary Election Day

Soft Power Vote SPV Community Folder is still a thing! 


Soft Power Vote is an independent initiative founded by three New Yorkers who wanted more out of voting. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and check out our website. Our linktree is stacked with civic engagement links like checking on your voter registration status, finding your poll site, and the holy grail: finding your representatives! If you have the bandwidth, support our work via Venmo or Cash App (@softpowervote). 
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05.30 What a week... in solidarity with the Mayorales Union
softpowervote.substack.com
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