Absent any safety concern (which the center did not cite as a reason), the reasons to cancel the event ring hollow. I’m disappointed in the decision.

Rochester Police Department talks tackling homelessness with humanity A small homeless encampment on Seneca Avenue off State Route 104 was recently cleared out by the New York State Department of Transportation.

@13wham.bsky.social ‬⁩ this is propaganda. How could the reporter not mention that the mayor was caught in a lie about not doing these sweeps? And there’s no interview with an advocate who say that these sweeps are bad. And notably no use of word “sweep.”

This stuff doesn’t look very protect-and-serve-y

I just gave to Mary Lupien! Show your support with a contribution.

Hey, it’s Mary Lupien. Tonight at midnight is our FINAL REPORTING DEADLINE of this entire campaign — and we need to raise $4,289 by midnight. We’re half way!!! Can you chip in? secure.actblue.com/donate/lupie...

The arrest of the SEIU CA President & protesters is a disgrace to our country — and part of a terrifying trend local electeds have also been facing.

We stand for First Amendment rights. We stand for democracy. We stand with David Huerta & call for his immediate release.

Exactly. Establishment politics creates loyalists and favors. When you don’t owe anyone anything, you can stay focused on the people.

If you’re focusing on protecting the party, the question remains, who is protecting the people. Thank you @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social and @errollouis.bsky.social for having me on.

Graphic displaying a Local Progress statement titled, "Amid Federal Threats, Local Leaders Stand Strong for True Civil Rights."

@marymoriarty.bsky.social is a brilliant & fair prosecutor committed to reforming our deeply flawed legal system.

The Trump Admin’s recently-launched investigation into Moriarty’s office is a calculated attack on local democracy.

Full statement: localprog.org/StandWithLoc...

NPR: In a competitive authoritarian system, a leader comes to power democratically and then erodes the system of checks and balances. Typically, the executive fills the civil service and key appointments — including the prosecutor's office and judiciary — with loyalists. He or she then attacks the media, universities and nongovernmental organizations to blunt public criticism and tilt the electoral playing field in the ruling party's favor.

Accurate
www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...

Great event for @marylupienroc.bsky.social. The status quo isn’t working and we need to think big and dream big.

lots of people packed around the outside of MLK park, a speaker at a podium, many flags and protest posters

view of the crowd near the structure at MLK park

view of speakers and protests from across the park

A few photos from today's 50501 protest at MLK Park in Rochester, NY. Good crowd and speakers (@marylupienroc.bsky.social pictured here), big march with lots of energy. Only 1 upset motorist and the organizers deescalated really well (he left w/ a hug). 👏🏻✊🏻👏🏻

#50501Movement
#RochesterNY
#ROC

Greece broke promise with sale of land, candidate says The Democratic candidate for town supervisor says the Town of Greece broke a promise to taxpayers by selling land for apartments.

“Democrat” Jeff McCann is opposing apartments for seniors and health care workers.
20 years ago when he was a Republican, I’m sure town leaders didn’t predicted today’s housing crisis.

USCIS announces it now only recognizes ‘two biological sexes’ Immigration agency announced it has implemented Trump executive order

The federal gov’t now only recognizing 2 biological sexes is more than discriminatory—it lays the groundwork for the erasure of trans, nonbinary & intersex people, especially immigrants.

We all deserve to be seen, protected & valued.

The No Kings Party: Rescuing the Economy from Trump’s Chaos “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply…

The No Kings Party is a progressive political movement dedicated to restoring economic stability, democratic integrity, and responsible governance in the United States. It seeks to empower the American people and challenge the chaos of authoritarian leadership.

medium.com/@icaj2000/th...

Community leaders and advocates hold rally demanding solution to homeless crisis Vocal-NY held a rally Thursday afternoon where community leaders and advocates joined together demanding a solution to the homeless crisis.

Housing is a human right. I stand with VOCAL-NY and our unhoused neighbors in demanding urgent action to address the homelessness crisis in Rochester and across New York. We need Governor Hochul to pass the Housing Access Voucher Program and we need to end the sweeps of homeless encampments in Roc.

This #EqualPayDay, NY women’s rights to fair pay + equal opportunities are especially at risk. We must fight back to protect our progress and to move forward towards equity.

Join us online from 1:30-2:00PM to fight for an #EqualPayNY! See the toolkit: bit.ly/EPD2025

March 25th is #EqualPayDay! This year, NY women’s rights to fair pay and equal opportunities are especially at risk. We must fight back to protect our progress in closing the wage gap, & move forward towards equity.

Join us for the ONLINE RALLY, 1:30pm using the #EqualPayNY Toolkit: bit.ly/EPD2025

Join us in calling for pay equity solutions across all social media platforms! NY virtual #EqualPayDay rally starts at 1:30pm on March 25, and joins the National Rally 2pm-3pm. See @powherny.bsky.social and use #EqualPayNY

Five years ago today, Daniel Prude was killed by Rochester police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Real public safety means sending help, not harm. We need Daniel's Law, a strong PAB, and expanded community responders to provide the right response at the right time.

Beyond the Statue: Honoring Frederick Douglass with Action, Not Just Adoration - Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Photo: Youth at Agape Haven of Abundance with one of 13 Douglass Monuments Erected in 2018 in Rochester, NY By George Cassidy Payne On February 6, 2025, a statue of Frederick Douglass was unveiled in ...

“Right is of no Sex – Truth is of no Color – God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren.”
– Frederick Douglass
(Masthead of The North Star)

fdfi.org/beyond-the-s...

Exploring Genesee Valley Park: A Tribute to Olmsted’s Vision By George Cassidy Payne Genesee Valley Park is one of Rochester’s most treasured green spaces, a picturesque retreat along the eastern bank of the Genesee River. Accessible from Elmwood Avenue at Moor...

For Olmsted, public parks were more than just recreational spaces. In an era of rapid industrialization, they were a necessity for public health, social equality, and civic pride.

www.lifeinthefingerlakes.com/exploring-ge...

In the Fight Against Trump and Vance for Free Speech and the Truth, Be Like Mary Lupien | Common Dreams Lupien's viral interruption of JD Vance's speech falsely blaming immigrants for the U.S. housing crisis wasn't just important because it corrected a falsehood; she was defending the fundamental right ...

Lupien's viral interruption of JD Vance's speech falsely blaming immigrants for the U.S. housing crisis wasn't just important because it corrected a falsehood; she was defending the fundamental right to challenge power.

www.commondreams.org/opinion/vanc...

This St. Patrick’s Day, I’m thinking about Ireland’s legacy of resistance and solidarity. Rochester deserves leaders who have the courage to stand up to bullies and who fight for justice and dignity for all people. As our Mayor, I will defend our people and invest directly in our youth and families.

The Senate just passed a funding bill that codifies Elon Musk’s cuts. Senate Democrats go along with signaling they’ll stand by as our democracy crumbles.

This isn’t compromise. It’s complicity.

We don’t need leaders who cave to billionaires—we need leaders who fight for us.

Among the material devastation to everyday people, Senate Dems have now blown a hole in their ability to work with the House.

We had an agreed upon plan, House took immense risk, then Senate turned around midway and destroyed it w/ a fear-based, inexplicable abdication.

They own what happens next.

Mary Lupien vs. JD Vance: The Fight for Free Speech and the Truth About America’s Housing Crisis What happens when free speech is only free for those in power? JD Vance and the Trump administration claim to champion the First Amendment, but in practice, their version of free speech comes with a c...

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear... Khalil’s arrest wasn’t about enforcing immigration laws—it was about punishing dissent."

When our first amendment rights are under attack, what do we do? STAND UP. FIGHT BACK!

Dispatching Community Responders to 911 Calls YouTube video by Center For American Progress

Mary’s Guarantee promises a guaranteed response. By sending the right responders to calls, we let police focus on serious crime. We must scale these programs to meet the need and ease the burden on police. This is real public safety. Watch the video to see the impact m.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pU...

Thanks Alex! Still getting my feet wet.

If the suburbs can clear their sidewalks effectively, so can we. If we are serious about safety, our city must adapt the policy on when and how we plow.

It’s time to prioritize people over cars and make winter mobility safe for everyone. ❄️ #VisionZero #SafeStreets #MaryForMayor #PlowTheSidewalks

City tells government staff not to block ICE from public buildings City staff are directed to treat US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents no different than the general public, as the concern over potential raids in public buildings loom.

“The memo attempts to position the city as neutral in the ongoing political climate surrounding immigration.”
I doubt that position will last - it’s not about what ICE wants today, but what they’re going to demand in the future.