Week of Jan. 18: Happy MLK Day! Take Action for fair housing and affordable utilities

"We are not satisfied and will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream," Martin Luther King, Jr. asserted in his famous "I Have A Dream" speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August, 1963. Find out more about the MLK Day commemorative events in this week's Activist Toolkit. And know that we, too, will never be satisfied until everyone has a stable home, affordable utilities, and clean air & water. 

Here are the top 3 actions you can take this week:

  1. Everyone needs a stable home to live in. Join our Housing Action Team (virtually) this Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 PM for a discussion on our next steps to win fair housing policies locally. Register here to get instructions to join the Housing Action Team meeting in your email. 

  2. Please join our friends (virtually) at Ohio Citizen Action this Thursday, Jan 21, 2021 at 03:00 PM for their next installment in a series of conversations with OCA Executive Director Rachael Belz, "Moving Forward on Ohio Energy Issues in 2021: HB6 and Beyond." The conversation will feature special guest and advocate for equity and sustainability SeMia Bray of Black Environmental Leaders. Register to attend the panel discussion with Ohio Citizen Action & Black Environmental Leaders here.

  3. Register now for the CUFA Congress virtual meeting on Saturday, January 30 at 10 AM. We will celebrate our victories, chart our course for 2021, draw for a door prize, and play some games (including CUFA trivia). We will also update CUFA's bylaws. Register here to receive instructions to join the Jan. 30 CUFA Congress on Zoom.

What's Happening This Week


MLK Coalition MLK Day Celebrations Monday, Jan. 18

Details on the Commemorative Civil Rights March and Motorcade from the MLK Coalition:

"For 46 years, Cincinnati has remembered Dr. King and all those who walked and sacrificed with him in the movement for civil rights with a Commemorative Civil Rights March. Each year we continue this tradition as an act of recommitting ourselves to hold the ground already gained, and secure the full rights of citizenship for generations to come. The 2021 MLK Commemorative March and Motorcade leaves the Freedom Center at 10:30AM.

OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:
1. Join the Motorcade. To drive your car with only your “safe bubble” people, and join the line of vehicles moving through the city, registration is required by clicking the MOTORCADE button. This is the best way to socially distance. All necessary information will be sent with your registration notice.

2. Join the marchers. All recommended COVID-19 protocols will be in place: wearing a mask, social distancing, staying home if you feel sick or have been exposed. Line up behind the MLK Banner, starting at 10:15AM.

3. Ride the Rosa Parks Bus: limited seating is available. Registration is required by clicking the BUS button or calling the MLK Coalition at 513-491-3448. All recommended COVID-19 protocols will be in place: wearing a mask, social distancing, staying home if you feel sick or have been exposed."

Find out more about the Commemorative March & Motorcade and other online events on the MLK Coalition website here.

Join our Housing Action Team Tuesday, Jan. 19

Everyone needs a stable home to live in. We support moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures at the federal, state and local levels. We need assistance to help renters pay back rent and requirements for lenders to work with all homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  

Join us for a discussion on our next steps to achieve these goals. 

What: Housing Action Team
When: Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: Register here for instructions to join on Zoom. 

Moving Forward on Ohio Energy Issues in 2021: HB6 and Beyond Thursday, Jan. 21

Please join our friends (virtually) at Ohio Citizen Action this Thursday, Jan 21, 2021 at 03:00 PM for their next installment in a series of conversations with OCA Executive Director Rachael Belz, "Moving Forward on Ohio Energy Issues in 2021: HB6 and Beyond." The conversation will feature special guest and advocate for equity and sustainability SeMia Bray of Black Environmental Leaders.

What’s next for HB6? Will the tainted law be repealed, and why is Ohio’s energy policy so riddled with corruption? What’s next for sustainable, equitable energy efforts beyond HB6? Get the inside scoop and ideas for action from two leading experts. Register to attend the panel discussion with Ohio Citizen Action & Black Environmental Leaders here.

From Concerned Ohio River Residents: A community meeting on the proposed Mountaineer Natural Gas Liquids Storage Facility Thursday, Jan. 21

The Mountaineer NGL storage facility threatens our health, our safety, our environment, and our economy. Join us on (virtuallyJanuary 21st at 6:30 p.m. to learn about the risks this facility poses to Ohio River Valley residents and what you can do to stop its construction.

What: Mountaineer NGL Storage Facility Community Meeting
When: Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 PM
Where: Register here for instructions to join on Zoom. 


Other Important Information


Support CUFA's Effort to Require Government to Include us Before They Spend Our Money - Write YOUR letter to the editor

First, read our Opinion Editorial in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Smart government engages taxpayers to solve issues. "We need meaningful public engagement now. We cannot afford to waste one more dollar by excluding residents from decisions," wrote Clark Beck, CUFA Board President. Then, write your own letter-to-the-editor to the Enquirer about what meaningful public engagement would mean to you as a ratepayer and taxpayer! Here are some tips here for writing your own letter; call us if you have any questions at (513) 853-3947.

"Love thy 'Nati Awards" call for nominations from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful:

"We want to recognize our neighbors that have been working hard this past year (and beyond) to reduce blight and improve the quality of life for Cincinnatians. 

Have you experienced a community improvement project in 2020 that brightened your day, or even your year? Nominate those who made it happen for one of THREE Love Thy 'Nati Awards and the chance to win $500 for their community. As always, you are more than welcome to nominate your own project!

The deadline to enter is February 15, 2021. Please see the attached PDF for more information about the awards. If you have questions regarding the awards or eligibility, please contact Megan Beck ([email protected]). 

To apply, follow this link: Love Thy 'Nati Awards Entry Form"

 
CUFA Victory! Water Bill Forgiveness Program now accepting applications!

The City of Cincinnati has a new program to forgive water and storm water bills for low-income residents experiencing COVID-related hardships. Find out more about the program and apply here.

 
Get Your CUFA Yard Sign Today

We know that "Together, We Will Make a Difference."  Let your neighbors know that you support CUFA.  Call us at 853-3947 to get a yard sign. Donate to offset the cost yard signs here.

 

CUFA has postcards (pictured below) you can give or mail to family and friends asking them to join CUFA. Sign up here to get some postcards!

Join CUFA on social media: 

Like us on Facebook and invite friends to like our page.

Follow us on Twitter.

Be sure to join our Facebook group.

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