Urban Action 2/28 

Attacking solitary confinement

Local criminal-justice activists will host an exhibit and rally over the next few days to build support for the HALT Solitary Confinement in New York Act.

At the first event, "Unmasking NY State's Chamber of Living Death" –11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 1, at the South Wedge Mission, 125 Caroline Street – a replica of a solitary confinement prison cell will be unveiled, followed by a rally. The cell will be open four days for people to experience solitary confinement: Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday 11 to 1 and 5 to 9; Saturday noon to 4 p.m.; Monday noon to 4.

The future for unions

On Saturday, March 3, local labor organizations will present a program on the potential impact of Janus v AFSCME, a case argued before the Supreme Court this week. The plaintiff contends that having to pay union dues violates his rights. A ruling in his favor is expected to be a major blow to labor unions across the country and to the Democratic Party.

The March 3 Rochester event will be from 10 a.m. to noon in NYSUT Hall, 30 North Union Street. Panelists will be Harry Bronson, New York State Assembly member; Jim Bertolone, former president, Rochester Labor Council; Kenny Montgomery, National Association of Letter Carriers; Tom Gillett, New York State United Teachers; and Robert Leonard, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

Assessing mercury's impact

The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association will present a program on the Finger Lakes Mercury Project at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at Finger Lakes Community College's Stage 14, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive in Canandaigua.

The project was initiated in 2015 by the Finger Lakes Institute in collaboration with Finger Lakes Community College to assess the extent of mercury contamination in the lake's aquatic food chain. Results of the study will be presented at the event by Roxanne Razavi, assistant professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.