Young Progressives of America - UMass Amherst

Young Progressives of America - UMass Amherst Young Progressives of America is a political organization of young people committed to the advancement of the progressive agenda. [email protected]

08/30/2017

YPA stands wholeheartedly with the people of Houston as well as the surrounding areas that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and express our gratitude to the heroic volunteers and first responders who are putting their lives on the line to help those in need of assistance.

We encourage everyone to donate towards hurricane relief, as people are in desperate need of help and the lives of thousands are at risk. We also encourage Houston's immigrant communities to not be discouraged from seeking help and shelter. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies have stated that undocumented immigrants would not be targeted at evacuation sites, shelters, or food banks, so please do not be afraid to seek help during the storm.

We must stand together in these disastrous times and support each other. Here are some places where you can donate:

http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/donate-money/

https://www.gofundme.com/hurricaneharvey

https://www.homelesshouston.org/take-action/donate/

https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9534757/k.CB79/Hurricane_Harvey_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp

http://www.portlight.org/home.html

Numbers to call in need of assistance:

U.S. Coast Guard Houston
1-281-464-4851
1-281-464-4852
1-281-464-4853
1-281-464-4854
1-281-464-4855

Houston Police Department non-emergency
(713) 884-3131

Roadside Assistance
1-800-525-5555

CenterPoint Energy (to report downed power lines)
1-713-207-2222

08/15/2017

The white supremacist “Unite The Right” rally that took place over this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a clear indication of which side of the political spectrum attracts racist sentiments. Thousands of protesters descended upon the quiet college town of Charlottesville. Torch-carrying white supremacists marched through the campus of the University of Virginia. They were met with counter-protesters who let them know that type of hatred is not welcomed. Were it not for the valiant efforts and high volume of counter protesters at this rally, the white supremacist factions of the right would have been further emboldened to spread their message. We thank the counter peaceful protesters for their efforts.

During the rally, Heather Heyers was killed by a white nationalist as she was peacefully protesting the hatred and intolerance spread by white nationalism. The day’s events resulted in the injury of many other peaceful protesters, as well as the death of two brave officers in a helicopter crash. Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased, as we mourn their deaths and will continue their legacy by working for peace and equality.

White nationalist groups, by nature, hold deranged views that they are superior to racial and ethnic minorities, despite overwhelming scientific evidence which contradicts any supremacist beliefs. In lieu of science and rational thought, they employ tactics of violence, intimidation, murder, and other belligerent tactics to achieve their goals. Their tactics can be accurately described as terrorism. Failing to counter these tactics and sentiments only works to embolden members of this community, which will further assist their campaign for power. This ideology possessing political power is an egregious affront and an imminent threat to both our national community, as well as the global community.

While many claim that racism is dead, or that racism and racial intolerance exists in such isolation that it is of no concern, this past weekend’s events have made it abundantly clear that racism is alive and well. Hateful rhetoric and intolerance is tearing through our country like wildfire, polarizing the People to the brink of civil unrest. It is the responsibility of those with compassion in their hearts and reason in their minds to tame this fire, and to show the world that the real American people will not stand for such deplorable violations of civil liberty and human rights. We stand for the rights of all, and we pursue the justice for wrongs committed against our brothers and sisters of all colors, creeds, and identities.

08/14/2017

As residents of South Korea, the United States and the world, we are united in our fervent desire for a peaceful, just resolution of the extremely dangerous conflict on the Korean peninsula. With tensions exploding, it’s clear that sanctions and military pressure against North Korea are continuing t...

08/12/2017

The events in Charlottesville are a dark reminder of a time many Americans believed to be behind us. Civil discourse is being abandoned, and the void is being filled by hate and violence. Peace and progress for all will only come by means of open and peaceful discussion and demonstration. Violence is not the answer here, nor is hate or intolerance.

A message from the Young Progressives of America.
06/17/2017

A message from the Young Progressives of America.

Founding YPA president Carlos Calzadilla leading a student protest "at LIU Brooklyn [which] ultimately defeated the lock...
05/02/2017

Founding YPA president Carlos Calzadilla leading a student protest "at LIU Brooklyn [which] ultimately defeated the lockout of more than 400 professors."

More from the article:

"Calzadilla, a freshman at Long Island University, campaigned for Bernie Sanders and the Floridian congressional hopeful Tim Canova during their primary campaigns. Calzadilla set up the young progressives of America at LIU’s Brooklyn campus at the end of 2016. The organization plans to “be the resistance against Trump’s reactionary rightwing agenda”."

Media outlet: The Guardian
Interviewing journalist: Adam Gabbatt
Article link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/19/anti-trump-activists-protest-grassroots-leaders -8

Carlos Calzadilla, founding president of the YPA, interviewed by Teen Vogue at the Occupy Inauguration demonstration, Wa...
05/02/2017

Carlos Calzadilla, founding president of the YPA, interviewed by Teen Vogue at the Occupy Inauguration demonstration, Washington D.C., January 20th:

“I think [part of it is] knowing that this is a big event, but this is just the moment,” says activist organizer Carlos Jesus Calzadilla. “The movement is what’s important, it’s what’s gonna change things. One day doesn’t change anything.” Carlos is the President of the Young Progressives of America and was a speaker at the Occupy Inauguration demonstration in D.C. on January 20th. “What a day like this does is bring people together so they get motivated, so that when they get back to their communities they get involved in the political process, they start taking over their municipal offices the local elections and hold and wield political power as progressives.”

Media outlet: Teen Vogue
Interviewing journalist: Eleanor Lambert
Article link: http://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/self-love-tips-from-people-at-the-womens-march

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1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA
01003

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