Deadline: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 12:00 pm ET Sign on to Support Emergency Relief for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Farmers and Ranchers

 

 

Sign on to Support Emergency Relief for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Farmers and Ranchers   Deadline: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 12:00 pm ET     Greetings RC Members and Allies,    Thank you to all who have signed on to our letter to support emergency relief for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) farmers and ranchers. For decades, we have vigorously represented the financial and rural development interests of this nation’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers and ranchers. We endorse and urge your organization to sign on to this letter (see text below), urging Congress to support the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act introduced by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Ben Ray Luján (D- NM), and Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and to assure the emergency relief provisions drawn from this Act as included by House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Rep. David Scott (D-GA) in S. Con. Res. 5, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, are included in the final COVID Emergency Budget Reconciliation Package.    Join our Coalition and other signatories in endorsing this letter by signing your organization on to this Google Form and sharing this action alert with other aligned organizations by Friday, February 26 at 12:00 pm ET. If you have already signed on, you do not have to do so again.   Take Action We urge your organization to sign on to the letter by completing this form (letter text below and on form) by Friday, February 26 at 12:00 pm ET.   In solidarity,   Rural Coalition       February 26, 2021   The Honorable Charles Schumer Majority Leader, U.S. Senate  Washington, D.C. 20510      The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader, U.S. Senate  Washington, D.C. 20510     Support Emergency Relief for Black Indigenous and People of Color Farmers and Ranchers   Dear Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell:   We, the undersigned organizations, including many who have worked for years on these issues, have for decades vigorously represented the financial and rural development interests of this nation’s Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and People of Color farmers and ranchers. We endorse and urge you to support the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act introduced by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Ben Ray Luján (D- NM), and Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). We further urge you to assure the emergency relief provisions drawn from this Act as included by House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Rep. David Scott (D-GA) in S. Con. Res. 5, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, are included in the final COVID Emergency Budget Reconciliation Package.     Our expressions of support for these family farmer provisions are rooted in fairness and equity. American agriculture has a long history of providing various forms of family farm debt and other emergency relief. Yet the troubled history of farm loan discrimination for Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and farmers of color, coupled with their exclusion from the many farm programs other producers depend upon to survive and thrive, weakens these farm families, making it impossible to transfer farmland wealth from generation to generation.   For example, the $14.4 billion in trade adjustment assistance provided in 2019 through the Market Facilitation Program[i] did not address the needs of the small farm specialty crop and livestock sectors of the market where their production is concentrated. The emergency COVID relief provided through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the Farmers to Family Food Box Program, and the Small Business loan programs have provided only minimal assistance to farmers of color. Several BIPOC-led farmers groups who did participate successfully in early rounds of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program were not included in subsequent rounds. At the same time, these producers have worked diligently throughout the pandemic to increase production in uncertain markets and to do all they can with little to no government support to meet the urgent food needs of their communities.     Over 200 years of beneficial treatment positions the sectors of farmers, who have benefited most from historic and recent investments in federal farm programs, with more assets under their control, more land base to leverage, and more market stability to capitalize on and mitigate the impacts of economic crises the likes of which we are currently experiencing. Farmers of color were already leveraged to the hilt prior to the crisis because their operations haven’t had the same multigenerational investments. The carefully crafted support from Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act provisions provides the urgently needed debt forgiveness and technical assistance necessary to shore up this sector of producers who do not enjoy extensive federal support and an asset base to leverage. The legislation provides:   $4 billion in direct relief payments to help farmers of color pay off outstanding USDA farm loan debts and related taxes, and help them respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic, and Another $1 billion fund to root out systemic racism by expanding the capacity of USDA to provide technical and legal assistance to agricultural communities of color and to fund under-resourced programs that will shape the future for farmers and communities of color, including: ·        Grants and loans to improve land access and address heirs’ property issues; ·        Support for one or more legal centers focused on agricultural legal issues of farmers of color (including succession issues made more urgent when many families have lost members to a pandemic that has claimed over half a million lives); ·        Pilot projects focusing on land acquisition, financial planning, technical assistance, and credit; ·        A racial equity commission and related activities to address systemic racism across USDA; ·        Support for research, education, and extension at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), 1994 Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic-Serving and other institutions of higher education that historically serve communities of color; ·        Scholarships at 1890’s land grant universities and for indigenous students attending land grant institutions; ·        Support for outreach, mediation, financial training, capacity building training, cooperative development training and support, and other technical assistance in cooperation with the community-based organizations and institutions of higher education with the experience to provide it;  ·        Assistance to farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners of color that are former farm loan borrowers and that suffered related adverse actions, or past discrimination or bias.   Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Farmers of Color continue to play an important social and economic role in sustaining rural communities while protecting the natural resources and producing safe and affordable farm products. We, the undersigned, urge the US Congress to ensure the urgently needed emergency relief for BIPOC farmers remains in the final COVID Emergency package.        [i] GAO Report - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) distributed about $14.4 billion in 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to farming operations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico… to 643,965 farming operations. MFP payments for 2019 also varied by type of commodity. Three types of commodities were eligible for 2019 MFP payments: (1) nonspecialty crops (including grains and oilseeds, such as corn and soybeans); (2) specialty crops (including nuts and fruits, such as pecans and cranberries); and (3) dairy and hogs… Less than 10 percent went to farming operations that produced specialty crops or dairy and hogs.         Rural Coalition | 202-628-7160 | E-mail | Website

 

Rural Coalition | 1029 Vermont Ave NW, 601, Washington, DC 20005

Zip Code EXCLUSION. From Boxes, COVID-19 response & recovery, Food, and basic services.

 

https://wtop.com/dc/2021/02/dc-attorney-general-claims-companies-refuse-service-east-of-anacostia-river/

Training for New Ebola Outbreaks February 2021

 

Courses | Certifications |

Working in an Ebola Treatment Unit Health   Last week the government of Guinea declared the first Ebola outbreak in the country since the deadly 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. The DRC is also facing new Ebola cases only months after the end of the country’s 11th Ebola outbreak. Swift and effective preparation and response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is critical.    Learn how to take safe, appropriate actions for infection prevention and control of the Ebola virus disease while preparing and/or working in an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Created in partnership with Humanitarian U, this 20-minute interactive guide covers essential topics on Ebola treatment including: Managing patients during triage, isolation, and care Following hygiene and infection control practices Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Performing safe burials This resource is available in English and French.     Get Started     Learner Review "The visuals are good and the step-by-step process makes it easy to understand and follow the training. This is a comprehensive training in few minutes for field practitioners like myself who are currently responding to Ebola in DRC. Well done." —Richard D. ★★★★★

Side Effects. COVID-19 Vaccinations. February 2021

 

 

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

 

click here for more info

 

Vulnerable Communities: Free #Meals4DCkids! 18 & Under. 10am - 2pm at 17+ locations. Washington, D.C.

 

 

Free #Meals4DCkids! All of our locations are up and serving breakfast and lunch for youth 18 & Under. 10am - 2pm at 17+ locations.

 

click here for more info

 

At the Table. National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine. Feb 22-24, 2021

 

The National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine is a virtual event that will unite representatives from across the US government, with tribal, state, local, and territorial leaders and representatives from public health, healthcare systems, national and community-based non-governmental organizations, education, private industry, unions, and faith-based organizations. All have a role in supporting COVID-19 vaccination.

 

 

click here for more info

 

Waivers for Juveniles? Press Release: TSA seeks to hire over 6,000 airport security screening officers

 
How about ‘waivers’ for juvenile ex-offenders in Chicago, L.A., Atlanta, D.C., Boston, Houston, and other major hubs for vulnerable community members?
 
Equity or exclusion?
 
Think outside of the box.
 
BEMA International
 
 

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               February 19, 2021  TSA seeks to hire over 6,000 airport security screening officers WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is launching recruitment efforts nationwide to fill over 6,000 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) positions by summer 2021. “TSOs are a critical first line defense in securing our nation’s commercial air transportation system,” said Melanie Harvey, acting Executive Assistant Administrator for TSA’s Security Operations. “Each day, our officers screen hundreds of thousands of airline travelers ensuring they arrive at their destinations safely. We expect to screen a higher number of travelers regularly by the summer months and will need additional officers to support our critical mission.” Based on anticipated seasonal travel trends in the months ahead and the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public, TSA has launched national efforts to recruit new employees in support of screening operations at approximately 430 airports nationwide. Targeted recruitment, virtual job fairs, and opportunities in dozens of cities have already been announced for individuals seeking part-time and full-time opportunities. Benefits include access to medical coverage, vacation and sick leave, and retirement plans. TSA is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including military veterans and persons with disabilities. TSA seeks those who want to take the initial step into a rewarding federal career and support TSA’s critical mission of protecting our nation’s transportation systems. A “Day in the Life of a TSO” video is available to learn more about our mission essential security screening position. To view open positions for TSOs around the country, visit TSA.gov/TSO.    ### Transportation Security Administration was created to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security. For more information about TSA, please visit our website at tsa.gov.

 
 
 

Black Emergency Managers Association International
1231-B Good Hope Road.  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA International
Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and  Partnering (C5&P)
A 501 (c) 3 organization

 
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” —Angela Davis
 
 

Do you know your Congressional Representative. How about their stance on Student Loan Forgiveness?

 Today is a great day to call your representative and ask what their stance on student loan forgiveness is!

And if you know and appreciate your rep’s stance on this or other issues -- it’s helpful to call and thank them.

You can find your rep’s info here: https://www.house.gov/representa.../find-your-representative

HOUSE.GOV

Find Your Representative | house.gov

Not sure of your congressional district or who your member is? This service will assist you by matching your ZIP code to your congressional district, with links to your member's website and contact page. Please review the frequently asked questions if you have problems using this service. Enter your...

2021 Environmental Justice. Greenville

 

NAACP National, and State activism.  Before it effects the community and there is no return.

 

Environmental and Social Justice.

 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/neighbors-in-historically-black-community-are-furious-over-greenlink-facility-going-in-their-back-yard/ar-BB1dJWuB?ocid=ientp

 

 

Black Emergency Managers Association International   1231-B Good Hope Road.  S.E.   Washington, D.C.  20020 Office:   202-618-9097 bEMA International Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and  Partnering (C5&P)   A 501 (c) 3 organization
Community\Civil Society Imperative.  The impacts of climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters.  Individuals, families, and communites must take a proactive approach and behaviors to save lives, their communities, their culture and heritage.