Governor Paterson has called an "Extraordinary Session" of the legislature on Tuesday, November 10 in order to settle several open issues from the 2009 session.  One of the items on the Governor's list is a vote on same sex marriage.  Our representatives are required to attend the session, but they are not required to vote on or discuss any of the agenda items. 

Especially after what happened in Maine, this is a major opportunity for our state to make a huge statement for justice and civil rights.  We need your help.

CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR TODAY:
Visit DFNYC Marriage Equality for instructions and to enter the results of your call.  Entering the results will help us make or campaign for marriage equality more effective.

ATTEND A PHONEBANK/HOUSEPARTY:
DFNYC will be calling members throughout the state to ask them to contact their State Senators and ask for their support for same sex marriage.

Contact Heather Woodfield hwoodfield -at- dfnyc.org or 646-714-3401 for quesitons about phonebanks and locations.  Check back here http://dfnyc.org for additional phonebank listings as they become available. 

Saturday Phonebanks:

TBD

Sunday Phonebanks:

TBD

Monday Phonebanks:

TBD

SEND THIS INFORMATION TO YOUR FRIENDS:
Send an email to your friends with our website http://dfnyc.org and ask them to take action in support of marraige equality.

Check back at http://dfnyc.org for additional phonebank listings and updates on marriage equality and how you can help.

New information on hearings:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced it has extended the public comment period on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) governing potential natural gas drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale formation from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31.

DEC also has moved up the start time of the hearing in New York City on November 10.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for individual questions and speaker sign-up.  DEC staff will be available at this time to answer individual questions about the format and contents of the draft SGEIS.  The public comment session will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation has released a draft report on a process to drill for natural gas called "hydraulic fracturing," or "hydrofracing" (http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html ).  The report is long, complex—and often avoids the real problems associated with hydrofracing—and the period for the public to comment on it has been extended to December 31.

More info and links to comment at the DFNYC site at http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2481/16/.

Under pressure from the people, the DEC will hold hearings around the state.  The one in New York City will be held:

When:      Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6:30 PM.
                 Doors will open at 5:30 when you can sign up to speak if you would like. You'll get five minutes.
Where:     Stuyvesant High School Auditorium, 345 Chambers Street, NYC

Directions: 1,2 or 3, A or C train to Chambers St. and walk west to the far side of West St.

And before the hearing: 

Rally to ban drilling.  Bring a sign to demand a state-wide ban. (Stay turned for expected time change.)

Scott Stringer has created a campaign that’s he’s calling “Kill the Drill.”  He is organizing this rally, asking for letters to Paterson, testifying, etc. to prevent gas drilling in New York City’s upstate watershed. 
Many of us believe this should be a statewide effort to solve this problem, not an upstate-downstate competition. 

When:   5:00 PM (expect a change from Stringer)
Where:  in front of Stuyvesant High School.

We must protect our beautiful state from pollution.  Come to the rally and hearing—and remember to comment to the DEC and to your elected officials on the DEC draft statement if you haven't already.  For more info, go to http://catskillcitizens.org/ , or if you would like to testify, you can also email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  They are co-ordinating testimony.