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SVP Honors Charles Sackrey with Robert Ingersoll Forward Thinking Award

July 31, 2017 by SV Progressives

The Susquehanna Valley Progressives (SVP) honored Charles Sackrey with the first ever Robert Ingersoll Forward Thinking Award on Sunday July 30th at their annual networking reception, held at Spyglass Ridge Winery.

Charles Sackrey received this award, according to Nicole Faraguna, a founding member of SVP, because of his tireless effort to advocate and fight on behalf of free thought, human and civil rights, social justice and the environment.

As an Economics Professor at Bucknell University, Charles challenged his students and colleagues to think beyond convention. In the classroom, he forthrightly declared his commitment to fight injustice. His students responded– agreeing, disagreeing, but always contending with what was important. His students felt respected and free, safe and inspired to join the conversation and a number were inspired to join the fight against injustice.

As one of his colleagues has said, “Charles never saw an injustice he didn’t try to correct.”

Charles helped students and other faculty organize the Bucknell Progressive Caucus and he took action side-by-side with students – a sit in during a trustees meeting – for divestment in support of ending apartheid in South Africa, demonstrations against US proxy wars in Central America and much more.

He helped students produce the Catalyst newspaper, with stories not only about injustice in the world, but inequality and injustice at Bucknell.

He has advocated on the front lines on behalf of disenfranchised workers at the University and in the community…fighting for fair wages and treatment.

Through his tenure at Bucknell University and as an active member of Organizations United for the Environment (OUE), he fought against environmental injustice. Charles challenged politicians and corporate interests intent on harming our Valley’s precious natural resources. Charles rallied his fellow citizens to fight against ill-conceived development that threatened the health and qualify of life of our residents. His efforts resulted in numerous environmental wins for our area but, more importantly, instilled a sense of worth in our community and restored the ability of the people to self-determine their future.

Outside the classroom, Charles peacefully protested, encouraging his fellow citizens to do the same. He has organized protests and patriotically exercised his freedom of speech. It was not unusual for Charles to get arrested during these demonstrations. He would always notify the police of his intent, ensuring a peaceful outcome.

Charles is a tireless advocate for social and economic equality. He has long recognized the consequences of an unregulated capitalist system and has fought for fairness and inclusion. In recent years he developed and co-taught courses through Bucknell’s community learning programs related to economic theory and social inequality, always intent on educating the public on unorthodox topics that are rarely discussed in mainstream society.

In true Charles fashion, he founded the Mondragon Bookstore in Lewisburg–a model workplace of humanism and solidarity–where the workers are the true owners of the establishment. The bookstore has served as a meeting place for numerous nonprofit organizations and has been a welcome destination for those seeking literature and reference materials on a variety of subjects.

One of his Bucknell colleagues coined him “the Woody Guthrie of Bucknell.” Susquehanna Valley Progressives would like to say he is the Woody Guthrie of the Susquehanna Valley.

“On behalf of all those who think forwardly and embrace true progress, we thank Charles for his steadfast work to fight against adversity and injustice; his persistence to educate and inspire those around him; his integrity to live his ideals and morals; and his constant efforts to make this world a better place,” said Faraguna.

Filed Under: News

SVP Publishes Susquehanna Valley Organizations for Progress Directory

July 28, 2017 by SV Progressives

If you are interested in getting more involved on the issues that really matter, check out the organizations active in the region. The listings in the directory offers contact information and in some cases specific volunteer opportunities for groups working for progress in the region.

DOWNLOAD THE DIRECTORY

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized

Opportunities to Take Action

June 16, 2017 by SV Progressives

TAKE ACTION

Support a Budget that Benefits Pennsylvanians
CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR ON MONDAY BETWEEN 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
With less than two weeks to pass a balanced budget by the June 30th deadline, your state senator and representative will be under pressure to accept cuts to education, environmental protection, and essential services to our most vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Take action with people across the state between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Monday, June 19th, by calling your state senator & representative and telling them to only support a budget that raises the revenue needed to make critical investments in Pennsylvania’s future!

TALKING POINTS
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

Say NO to the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act
CALL SENATOR TOOMEY THIS WEEK 
The Senate is writing a healthcare bill behind closed doors that will likely cut off healthcare for tens of millions of Americans and reduce the overall quality of coverage for all.

Please make a point of calling Senator Toomey this week. Use the talking pointed linked below, share your personal story or that of a friend or family member and make your voice heard.

TALKING POINTS
TOOMEY CONTACT INFORMATION

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
24-HOUR VIGIL

There will be a 24 hour vigil held at Sen. Toomey’s office this coming week to protest the republican health care bill. Volunteers are organizing 2-hour shifts. Please contact Aaron Troisi if you’re interested in participating.

BUDGET RALLY & LOBBY DAY
Pennsylvania Choice and partners are planning a rally and lobby day on Monday, June 26th to call on state senators and representatives to only support a budget that raises the revenue needed to make critical investments in Pennsylvania’s future. Please contact Aaron Troisi if you’re interested in participating.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Fair Districts Susquehanna Valley
Pizza & Posters for Fair Districts
Thursday, June 22 | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Snyder County East Building (713 Bridge Street, Selinsgrove)
Fair Districts Susquehanna Valley is organizing a rally on July 1st in Sunbury to demonstrate to our local leaders that we need to change the way congressional and legislative lines are drawn. On June 22, we’re having a pizza and poster-making party. Come with your markers and posterboard. We’ll provide the pizza. Let’s make some noise on this issue.
EMAIL RSVP
FACEBOOK RSVP

Active Community Training Meeting
Help Engage New People through Training Opportunities
Monday, June 19 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
CommUnity Zone  (417 Market St, Lewisburg)
ACT believes that information and organizing tools are necessary to build strong organizations. With a broad network of connections and expertise in a wide range of topics, we provide training and information to groups that wish to become more active, effective, and creative.
EMAIL RSVP

Filed Under: News

Reclaim Our Democracy Rally

June 9, 2017 by SV Progressives

Fair Districts PA – Susquehanna Valley is hosting a rally on July 1 to support fair redistricting.

Even when it seems we are divided politically as a nation, there are issues that we can ALL rally behind. One of those is redistricting. It seems the majority of Pennsylvanians are united behind the idea of fair and transparent redistricting and ending the partisan process in which the democratic and republican parties gerrymander districts and choose their own voters. Fair Districts PA – Susquehanna Valley is demanding that voters choose their politicians, not the other way around. Are you with us? Join the rally. Bring a sign. Let’s reclaim our Democracy!

Download Rally Poster

 

Filed Under: News

Attend “the” Event for Susquehanna Valley Progressives

June 7, 2017 by SV Progressives

An evening to connect with fellow free thinkers and celebrate the work of progressive groups in the region.

Appetizers, desserts, wine tasting and cash bar, local nonprofit materials and door prizes and the presentation of the Robert Ingersoll Free Thinking Award to CHARLES SACKREY.

This event benefits the Susquehanna Valley Progressives.

Filed Under: News

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