HEAP DELAYED, MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY - MORE ON MORATORIUM - RECORDING OF BILL FLETCHER'S TALK TO WORKERS ASSEMBLY - JOIN METRO JUSTICE COUNCIL - GAZA MOVIE NIGHT - ROC THE DAY APPROACHING

Here are Metro Justice news and events for the week of 11/07/25

BREAKING: HEAP Energy Assistance Delayed Indefinitely, Movement Assembly to Stop Rate Hikes and Shut Offs TOMORROW! 

It's time to act against RG&E! Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, which provides absolutely needed assistance to pay RG&E bills and stop shut offs during winter months, has now been delayed indefinitely by NY State. On top of RG&E's out of control rates, hike proposals, and bills we still don't know are accurate, we're really scared for our community. For many people, not having access to energy assistance could spell disaster, shut off, eviction - we need a shut off moratorium now.

Join Metro Justice and our coalition partners in our emergency Movement Assembly TOMORROW, November 8th from 1-3:30 pm at First Church of God, to learn more and help plan an action on Dec 6 to Stop RG&E's latest rate hikes, to Stop Shut offs, and for Public Power Now!

Click to Sign Up for the Movement Assembly

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MORE ON MORATORIUM

For those who are curious, yes, RG&E is allowed to shut off heat during the winter. They are supposed to "diligently" contact you first to find out if your household includes any vulnerable - young, old, or disabled - people, give 72 hours notice, wait for a DSS investigation if there are vulnerable people involved, be willing to permit payment arrangements, and suspend shutoff during holidays or when the temperature falls below 32°. 

Let's think about that in context. What kind of diligence has RG&E shown - for families - thus far? Iberdrola, its owner, has been all too diligent about billing, often without rhyme or reason, and often without refund even when courts have determined the bills to have been egregiously inflated (they only offer to post a credit to the account against future bills, even if that money was needed for rent). There is no evidence that RG&E has carried out due diligence regarding equipment maintenance, repairing its billing system, or customer service - and plenty of evidence from the DPS audit that it has not. Given all of this, Governor Hochul needs to suspend utility shutoffs now.

If you are facing a threat of shutoff, here are some suggestions:

• Check out our resource page - though it now needs to be updated to reflect that HEAP is not available
• Reach out to the Public Utility Law Project, at [email protected] or 877-669-2572
  PULP Winter Prep (ENG)  PULP Winter Prep (SPA)
• Reach out (again) to RG&E, asking for a payment plan that reflects your financial situation
• See if Human Services (DSS on Westfall (585) 753-6998) can help
• State regulations around shut-offs are outlined here
• If you believe your bill is incorrect, file a complaint with the PSC, which can also be a tool in preventing a shut off
• Contact elected officials - city, county, state - to ask for help with escalating your complaint

But we all need to step up for our community, to pressure the Governor and local electeds to call for a shut off moratorium and to replace RG&E.

RECORDING OF BILL FLETCHER'S LABOR TALK

Did you miss Bill Fletcher's excellent discussion with the Workers Assembly or Rochester back on Thursday 10/23? He spoke of the “Barbarossa” moment we are experiencing with the flurry of assaults on working people - and the direct action, community engagement, and internationalist mindset that will be needed to overcome this challenge. And you can still hear his talk, as recorded that Thursday.

Among the highlights, he says methods of resistance will be applied in protecting immigrant rights, women’s autonomy, and worker protections. We will need to defend those targeted for their identity and speech. Bill referred to these areas of struggle as “Theaters” in the fight against authoritarianism.

This orientation challenges us to look past differences to align along broader class interests. The Workers Assembly of Rochester invites anyone interested in continuing this discussion to join us at 5pm on November 22nd. Do you believe that greater labor militancy, deeper solidarity, and increasing union density can turn the tides of this struggle? In what “Theater of Struggle” will you put your body on the line?

YOU CAN JOIN THE METRO JUSTICE COUNCIL

Did you know that any Metro Justice member can get themselves on the ballot to be elected to Council? Besides waiting to be tapped or contacting Luis Torres, the chair of the Nominating Committee, you may present a nomination petition with at least 20 signatures to Alice Carli, the Council Secretary, by Wednesday, December 17th. This year's annual meeting will be held on Saturday, January 31st, and the Nominations Committee has put together a robust slate of candidates interested in helping guide our course through the challenges ahead of us. But if you feel you can contribute, or want to shake things up, that is how to throw your hat in the ring. Council members are expected to attend the monthly meetings for deliberation and voting, and to play an active role in one campaign or committee. This year is shaping up to be especially exciting, as we continue to work locally to fight against the atmosphere of authoritarianism that is smothering our country. 

GAZA MOVIE NIGHT WITH METRO JUSTICE

Metro Justice will be on hand for the opening night of the Witness Palestine Film Festival, a series of films showing different aspects of life in Gaza scheduled over the week of 11/15-23 at two venues, the George Eastman Museum's Dryden Theatre at 900 East Avenue and Visual Studies workshop at 36 King Street. There will also be special  meals at 3rd Presbyterian Church on East and Meigs between films (3:30 with Saucey Chef) on the 15th and after the film on the 22nd, Mama's Palestinian Dinner at 7:30. "Our" film, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, will be screened at the Dryden at 6 pm on Saturday the 15th. WPFF has offered us 3 tickets, so three lucky volunteers who come to help at the Metro Justice table before the film will be able to enjoy it for free. If you would be interested in volunteering, please contact Michi for more information. 

ROC THE DAY APPROACHES!

Roc the Day, the Rochester region's 24-hour Giving Tuesday fundraiser, is coming up soon, this December 2nd. So we want to encourage you to to think of us as you plan out our holiday giving. 

As with everything we do, it's our members and supporters who keep us not just strong but accountable to the needs of our community. Your support is essential in guiding our work and fueling us as we fight for a better Rochester — both in our current moment and for the years and decades ahead. 

If you're interested — and able — to give, we encourage your to RSVP at our event page here. Since the Roc the Day event is only live for 24 hours on 12/2, you can sign up while you are thinking about it, and get a reminder when it counts. We're grateful as always for your support and will have more to share in the weeks ahead.

Along the same lines: it's always a good time to check your membership status in our new portal as well! You should be able to log in and see your donation and dues history at the link here. (But please let us know if you have trouble!)  

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday, November 8th (tomorrow), 1-3:30 pm at First Church of God, 334 Clarissa St., Movement Assembly to widen the fight against RG&E and it's profiteering rate hikes
• Monday, November 10th 5 pm Syracuse Federal Building 100 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, Stand up for Alex and Yan, fellow union members detained by ICE 
• Monday, November 10th 7-8 pm zoom organizing meeting for public outreach about the New York Health Act
• Wednesday, November 12th 6-8 pm 389 Gregory St Unit A RED Committee meeting to organize 12/6 action against RG&E rate hikes and shutoffs
• November 15-23, Visual Studies Workshop 14th Witness Palestine Film Festival; https://www.wpff.us/ [Still waiting to hear from Mike or anyone else willing to anchor MJ sponsorship of either the 11/15 or the 11/23(?) showing. This is needed today!]
• Monday, November 17th, 11 am at Genesee Co-op FCU, 395 Gregory St.  Climate Solutions press conference about the "100 foot rule," requiring that ratepayers subsidize new gas lines. New analysis from Public Utility Law Project shows the 100-Foot Rule cost gas utility ratepayers across the state about $600 million in 2021 – three times higher than our previous estimate.
• Monday, November 17th 7-9 pm Metro Justice Council meets, on zoom or at the MJ office
• Wednesday, November 19th 5:30-8:30 pm 389 Gregory St Unit A Phone bank to get the word out about opposition to RG&E's rate hikes and shut-offs. There will be pizza! Bring a laptop or tablet, phone and charger (and headphones/headset if wanted)
• Thursday, November 20th 1 pm at Pittsford Library and on zoom, the Elder Justice Committee meets to plan further action toward the goal of quality nursing home care in NY. For more info, [email protected] 
• Thursday, November 20 6-8 pm MLK Park Broad and Chestnut Streets Rochester Trans Day of Remembrance 2025. This year’s TDOR is more than a vigil — it’s a call to stand in love, solidarity, and remembrance.
• Saturday, November 22 at 5 pm, Workers Assembly of Rochester presents a public panel discussion featuring Labor Leaders across multiple industries exploring the impacts of fascist creep in America and how unions should be fighting back. 
• Tuesday, December 2 is Roc the Day, Rochester's own Giving Tuesday, an on-line opportunity to give tangible thanks to organizations, including Metro Justice, whose work you appreciate and wish to support.
• Saturday, December 6, noon Coalition action at RG&E, 180 S. Clinton, against the rate hikes
• Saturday, January 31, 2026 Metro Justice Annual Meeting

DESKTOP ACTIONS: 

• Worried about how your family will get through this  month without SNAP - or even with it? Two new apps are now working in this area that offer discounts on food. Check out flashfood.com, which works with local Tops markets, and toogoodtogo.com, which partners with a growing list of area restaurants. There is also food aid available for free through the Rochester Mutual Aid Network and local pantries, many of which are listed at FoodLink. 
• Metro Justice supports The New York Immigration Coalition's call for the New York For All Act. Please sign the petition at the link!
• Repost/tweet the New York Health posts at the Campaign for New York Health Facebook page every Tuesday and Thursday noon
• Uphold Tonawanda Seneca Nation sovereignty and the CLCPA! No new NYS funds or permits to WNY STAMP, tell NYSDEC to protect the Oak Orchard Watershed. This is a quick and easy one, so let’s get their numbers going up!
• Get a "Replace RGE" yard sign! Be the envy of your neighbors!  
• Join Metro Justice or renew your membership - in these dark times we need to stick together, and to plan to support ourselves as much as possible.