With COVID cases on the rise again, our members re-affirmed their commitment to meaningful, equitable relief for all and a more just world in the long-term. Read on to learn more about everything we did in November and December to close out 2020 as a stronger community!

We had some of our most powerful movement-building events and actions this year during October! Read on to learn more -- 

Our movements must be prepared to do whatever it takes to protect our communities and build a just world ourselves, regardless of what happens in the November election. Read on to learn more about big plans to end the year strong and enter next year even stronger! 

In August, Metro Justice joined the BLM protests demanding justice for Daniel Prude, had our first Virtual Annual Dinner featuring a keynote address from Steve Williams (recording included), and continued our movements for universal healthcare, energy democracy, workers' power, and elder justice to do our part in making sure it is our communities that are funded, not police. Read on to learn more about these activities and more in our August recap! 

In July, Metro Justice showed up in solidarity with Black workers, reached milestones of growth and reflection for Rochester for Energy Democracy, congratulated accomplishments of the Rochester Mutual Aid Network, and so much more! 

Episode 4 of our podcast Rochester Public Power Hour by our Rochester for Energy Democracy Campaign is here! We discuss the connections between Black Lives Matter, racialized police violence and militarism, and public power. We share how more people in Rochester are getting involved in our campaign for a public utility to replace RG&E, exciting steps forward towards building a community owned and operated solar farm in the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood, and an interview with Jonathan Koehn with Local Power in Boulder, Colorado. Click below to listen! 

Metro Justice and its allies won some key victories in June! June was also a month of immense growth. Read on to learn more about the key milestones our campaigns reached and the new alliances with organizations we solidified. 

Check out Episode 3 of the Rochester Public Power Hour! On this episode, we discuss why and how public utilities have a proven track record as one of the most massive and effective ways to lower energy bills for people while also implementing a rapid transition to green energy. Also, Michelle Wenderlich joins us again, this time with their colleague Timothy DenHerder Thomas, to discuss the ongoing fight for public utilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Click below to listen! 

Do you want to join our local movement to replace Rochester Gas & Electric with a public, local, not-for-profit, democratically operated utility? Take the first step by signing the petition at metrojustice.org/energydemocracypetition! We have received a lot of new sign ups in the last couple weeks, so we are holding a virtual orientation and workshop to welcome new people to the movement! The event will be this Wednesday, July 8th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. You must RSVP to receive the Zoom conference information to attend. RSVP by clicking here! 

Episode 2 of the Rochester Public Power Hour is here! This time, we interview Michelle Wenderlich, who was deeply involved in the movement for a public utility in Berlin, Germany! We also discuss unethical practices by Rochester Gas & Electric and its parent companies, the steps to winning a public utility locally, and the ongoing utilities bill strike. Click below to listen! 

May was packed with bold and meaningful actions by Metro Justice members in each of our campaigns! As we continue to find ways to support Black Lives Matter organizing directly against policy brutality, we also realize that many of our existing campaigns are also Black Lives Matter issues. Read on to learn more about how Metro Justice will support Black Lives Matter organizing locally, and how many of our campaigns and committees fought back against the disproportionate impact of injustice on people of color.