From health care rallies to punk shows for tenants rights, and plenty in between, here's a roundup of some of the most notable opportunities for activism in NYC this week. As always, feel free to leave anything we've missed in the comments.
Benefit For Ridgewood Tenants Union @ Silent Barn
Bushwick venue and artist collective Silent Barn will host this benefit for the Ridgewood Tenant Union. Performers include the Ridgewood-based Crosslegged, along with Poppy Patica playing from their new album of "shimmering, cosmic pop melodies." Later in the week, the space hosts a dance party for the Democratic Socialists of America. (see below).
Monday, July 17th, 8 p.m. doors // Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Avenue // $8
The vote on the GOP health care bill is postponed, for now, and many progressives are seizing on the delay to bring more attention to the contents of the proposal. Across the country on Tuesday, Indivisible groups will host another national day of action aimed at stopping TrumpCare. In New York, the rally will take place outside the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, where activists plan to "ask him to Withhold Consent, kill the bill with Death By Amendments, and encourage them to Keep It Up!"
Tuesday, July 18th, 5 p.m. // 780 Third Avenue, Manhattan
State Senator Michael Gianaris is promising Staten Islanders a behind-the-scenes look at how the Albany sausage gets made with this town hall focused on the "inner-workings of the oft-dysfunctional" state senate. Progressive groups like NY Indivisible and Sustainable Staten Island will help host the event, which takes place at the coffee shop Duzer's Local.
Wednesday, July 19th, 7 p.m. // Duzer's Local, 387 Van Duzer Street, Staten Island
Activists will gather in Prospect Park South to demand justice for Kyam Livingston, who died in police custody in 2013, after Central Booking cellmates say she was deprived of medical treatment. The rally is being held by the Justice For Kyam Livingstone group, which aims to "turn Kyam’s plight into a cause for an investigation of those within the NYPD who run and manage the Brooklyn central bookings system," according to their Facebook page.
Friday, July 21st, 5:30 p.m. // Church Avenue and East 18th Street, Brooklyn
Democratic Socialists Of America Benefit Show
Another benefit show comes to Silent Barn on Friday, this one in support of the NYC DSA chapter. Emily Reo, BEARS and Will Table (of Old Table) will make music for the cause, followed by a DJ set from FuturePunx. Expect speakers between acts, and tabling from local groups such as the Crown Heights Tenants Union and New York Communities For Change.
Friday, July 21st, 8 p.m. doors // Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Avenue // $8
Billy Bragg At Strand
Not a protest, strictly speaking, but Billy Bragg has the ability to fill even the most staid rooms with a picket line energy. On Saturday, the British folk musician/lefty activist will be reading from his new book Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World—a chronicle of DIY music and British teens—in Strand's Rare Books room. Thirty dollars gets you admission and a signed copy of the book, but if you miss him this time around, Bragg will be back in town in October with two shows at the City Winery.
Saturday, July 22nd, 7 p.m. // The Strand, 828 Broadway, Manhattan // $15 admission; $30 with a signed copy of the book
