Join me to imagine more in 2022!

Hello friends, family and comrades, 

I believe in the importance of our collective dreaming. To imagine more than what we have; new systems, new ways of relating to one another and the planet, the death and composting of systems of oppression, and so much more. I know that when we do not have a dream of where we're going, we will have a hell of a time getting there. Without a vision, we take easy wins. Without a vision, we over extend ourselves while not getting any closer to liberation. Without a vision, we reproduce systems of oppression. To dream together is the first step to us all getting free. 

I choose to organize with Clean Air because I deeply believe in the world that we are dreaming of and working towards with our members. Together we dream....

• That children can play and tend gardens in their backyards on Cornwall

• That neighbors can sleep soundly without breathing in silica dust; that no rats nip at your toes on a brisk sunday morning 

• That no benzene fills the lungs of babies 

• That people and wildlife return to the shores of the Niagara river 

• That polluters and those who profit off our suffering stand in line to apologize to all of those they harmed 

• That toxic sites are made into fields of flowers

 This year, I am supporting Clean Air by personally fundraising so that we can continue to show up, live out our values, and build a bold vision for the world we all deserve in 2022. I’ve set a personal fundraising goal of $1,000 to support Clean Air and our community so we can imagine more. 

In a year full of uncertainty as our team navigated transitions and our community navigated through an ongoing, global pandemic, one thing was certain: we never stopped working  towards a new world. Our staff, members and supporters have carried our rage, grief and longing and transformed it into action; we imagined more. 

Fifteen years ago, it felt impossible to imagine the three smokestacks at Tonawanda Coke topple down, but they did. 

 Five years ago it felt impossible, foolish, to imagine that children on Peabody street wouldn’t breath in silica dust while playing in their backyards, but now they can sleep knowing that no one will ever operate a crusher behind their homes again. 

Three years ago it felt impossible that workers could pursue justice from one of the richest men on earth, but now workers are connecting and building with one another and healing from trauma.

 One year ago it felt impossible to imagine the State would acknowledge the ongoing impact of environmental racism in the Delavan-Grider community, and now residents have built a body to hold the state and developers accountable to our health and justice. 

This holiday season, I hope you will join me in making a gift to Clean Air and commit to supporting smart, effective organizing. 

Thank you! 

Emily 

P.S. For more information about Clean Air's campaigns, check out their website: (https://www.cacwny.org/) or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cleanairwny).