The hottest July on record is almost over and we know there will be another hottest July on record soon.
In March 2022 we moved into the old bank at 36 Loisaida and started performing every week. We took a few weeks off to do a different kind of thing at Joe’s Pub and a few other weeks off during the longest nights of winter but otherwise we’ve been over there singing and preaching and talking with activists and making new music and planning actions and tomorrow is the 69th Sunday and the LAST EarthChxrch as we know it, so come be with us, we’ll have a party after, bring something to share.
In other news; I have been a named plaintiff/class rep in a Class Action lawsuit against the NYPD regarding their policing during the George Floyd uprising here in NYC. It’s 3 years since July 2020 and this week we reached a historic settlement with the NYPD, 13 million dollars will be distributed to 1300 protestors! This is the largest settlement for protestors in US History. If you’d like to know more watch this video summary (it does contain police violence and yes, that’s me doing the voice over). This settlement doesn’t address the racism and state sponsored violence we were protesting in 2020, only our right to protest. And protest we must. Join us.
I am conflicted about settling the case, as there really shouldn’t be a way for the NYPD to buy their way out of their strategic abuse of protestors, but the lawyers did such amazing work, and I’d like to thank them: Wylie Stecklow, Elena Cohen, Remy Green, Gideon Oliver, Dave Rankin, and Jonathan Moore spent hundreds and hundreds of hours gathering evidence, deposing police, supporting us, and in long mediation with the City of New York. Ultimately the NYPD were not willing to admit wrongdoing much less change their practices and it seemed better to walk away from the table. I urge everyone to pay attention to suits like this, as ultimately these monies come from taxpayers.
Sometimes it is challenging to keep the action rhythm steady so in late May we decided to do 10 weeks of Action and we got out there! Radical Lunch in the private spaces of Chase Bank—#1 funder of Fossil Fuel in the world, public actions for Jordan Neely, and as ever our determined defense of the 500 trees still standing in the East River Park. If you would like to be involved in our creative actions please contact me.
THANKS to YOU, wonderful Stop Shopping Community, for your support and attention and encouragement over these decades in New York City.
See you tomorrow or in some other shape in September, you can always find us on the Radio.
Savitri
LIVESTREAM SUNDAYS AT 3PM EST REVBILLY.COM
The Church of Stop Shopping POB 1556 NY NY 10013
Photos: Alice O’Malley