Sunday, August 8, 2021
WSHS YOUNG DEMS
NEWSLETTER
Naomi Flowers
Direct Action
How can you help better our community?
In this digital age, our increasing
interconnectedness enables us to gain
wider perspectives and engage in more
efficient conversations, as well as conduct
research and gain insight on global issues.
However, that is just the first step to
making real change. Dialogue is crucial to
develop goals and objectives, to identify
issues and create solutions, and to become
more knowledgeable. Direct action in the
form of change that alters material
conditions in our communities and our
world is the real source of change to a
more equitable society. We have given
you the tools to become more educated
through our newsletters, and now, through
these opportunities, you can become
educated through experiences and directly
contribute to your world.
Stefani Reynolds, August 7, 2021, New York Times
Hailey Donahue and Hela Kasibhotla
Eviction Moratorium
Partially reinstated to avoid mass evictions
It is no secret that unemployment soared
during the pandemic, causing many
people to lose their homes. As COVID
rages on throughout the country, taking
on new and more damaging variants,
people are still jobless and unable to pay
bills. Earlier in the pandemic, the CDC
asked for the federal government to put
in place a moratorium on evictions,
stating it was “to reduce the spread of
COVID by limiting movement or
preventing homelessness.” However, this
federal block on evictions expired on July
31, 2021. Many wanted it extended,
including Rep. Cori Bush who led a
protest on Capitol steps, and Pelosi
agreed, insisting that Biden and his legal
aides produce a solution quickly.
Issue #10
A local organization called Ideas for Us Another way to be involved with political
Orlando is dedicated to direct community figures is through lobbying for or interning
action through the uplifting of for our representatives such as Anna
marginalized voices and mutual aid. Eskamani and Carlos Guillermo Smith.
Although they have mainly environmental
initiatives, these intersect with many other
pressing socio-economic issues. Through
their website, you can sign up to be an
intern for grant-writing, farming, for
Fridays for Future Orlando, and so much
more. You can also keep up to date with
local events on their Facebook pages.
Additionally, anyone interested in pushing
for racial justice can apply for the African
American Policy Forum’s Critical Race
Theory “Summer School,” a virtual four-
day course with influential figures to learn
from, as well as work with local activists
through the Orlando Dream Defenders.
Taylor Randa
Allegations against
Governor Cuomo
Democrats call for his
resignation
On August 3rd, New York Attorney
General confirmed that an investigation
involving 179 people and 74,000 pieces of
evidence confirmed the accusations that
Cuomo sexually harassed more than
eleven women, creating a ‘hostile’ work
environment.
Now, top Democrats, including President
Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
and the entirety of New York’s
Democratic congressional delegation, are
calling for him to resign. To add on, on
August 6th, an accuser filed criminal
charges against Cuomo, and it is possible
he could be arrested.
After spending over 24 hours with his However, Governor Cuomo refuses to
legal team and outside experts, Biden resign, claiming the allegations are either
announced a new, 60-day federal eviction false or misconstrued. Charlotte Bennett,
moratorium targeting elevated risk areas one of the women who accused Cuomo of
that expires on October 3rd, 2021, defying sexual harassment, says that if he does not
the wishes of landlords and other resign, he must be impeached.
Republican reps, specifically Florida
Governor DeSantis, who refused to
implement a state eviction moratorium in
Florida. This created controversy, as the
Supreme Court ruled that a nationwide
eviction ban is beyond the government’s
emergency powers under public health
law. Even Biden himself admitted this
move could be unconstitutional.
However, he decided to do it anyway to
exploit the time it would take for the Melissa Mahtani and others, August 3, 2021, CNN
Supreme Court to strike it down.
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