Photos: Neha Gautam | Survival Media Agency | |
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June has been lit!! We have so much we honor and celebrate - Immigrant Heritage Month, Pride Month, Fathering Month - and our commemoration of Juneteenth while reflecting how our community relentlessly rises and shapes the future of our neighborhood. Our commitment to climate justice and building community is the pulse of each event and gathering we host and create with our community. This month is a celebration of difference – it is a transformational vibe that comes from our history that reminds us that solutions come from all that we are.
Additionally, join us in the celebration of resistance we brought to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade - we showed up in all our power to change the narrative of corporate culture and lift AfroIndigenous Boricua power and remind folks Climate Justice Lives in community. We later celebrated UPROSE's contributions to the grassroots, women of color-led victory showcased in the film EMERGENT CITY, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City and in Washington D.C and soon to be shown on POV PBS. These events are a testament to the relentless power of a people leading with operational solutions.
We are also proud to announce a landmark victory for our community with the opening of the Offshore Wind assembly at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This development is a significant step towards a just transition and an example of how the industrial sector can and should be building for our climate future.
And because climate change is already here, check out our continuous effort to ensure community safety and readiness:
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Emergency Preparedness Fair on June 22nd, 11 AM - 2 PM at Sunset Park Public Library - Equip yourself with knowledge and tools to tackle emergencies from flooding to air quality issues, all available for free.
These events are more than just learning opportunities — they are a call for collective care in the face of extreme weather events so that we are prepared to stand ready to support one another in times of need and celebrations.
With Joy + Justice,
Elizabeth and the UPROSE team
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UPROSE Celebrates Culture and Resistance at the 2024 National Puerto Rican Day Parade! |  |  | |
New York, NY – June 9, 2024 – Founded in 1966 by the Puerto Rican community, UPROSE, Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organization, proudly participated in this year's National Puerto Rican Day Parade, celebrating our theme, "Climate Justice Lives Here!!" The event took place on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, along 5th Avenue, from 44th Street to 79th Street in Manhattan, and was a resounding success.
This year, UPROSE honored the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico alongside elders and trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the community, while expressing deep solidarity for Haiti, Sudan, Congo, and Palestine. The procession featured a vibrant display of traditional and contemporary expressions of our values, including bomba dancers, vejigante masks, and a symbolic float adorned with sunflowers, butterflies, and parasols.
Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, emphasized, “The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is not just a celebration of culture but also an expression of our community’s resilience and deep solidarity for those who have endured similar struggles. We also joined the parade to lift local struggles for climate justice that reclaim ancestral knowledge and reimagine a just and green future.”
A special shoutout to our parade creative director and visionary, Ricardo Muniz, who worked tirelessly—even on crutches—to bring our beautiful float to life!
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The float showcased the organization's commitment to environmental justice and featured elders and trailblazers who have been at the forefront of the climate justice movement. Among the distinguished guests was Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who joined in celebrating the community's resilience and dedication to sustainable solutions. The parade highlighted UPROSE's ongoing efforts to empower communities and advocate for a just and equitable transition to a greener future. | |
Congratulations to our Summer 2024 Climate Justice Interns and Fellows! | |
Announcing a Major Victory with Press Release and Call for Public Comments BELOW
The Brooklyn Queens Expressway Environmental Justice Coalition (BQE-EJC), which includes UPROSE, is proud to announce a major victory in securing the inclusion of "Health Impacts" and "Environmental Justice Impacts" in the New York City Department of Transportation's (NYCDOT) Truck Route Network Redesign Public Feedback Portal. Community members are encouraged to submit their comments and feedback by July 31, 2024, to help shape a healthier and more just truck route network. Visit the NYCDOT Feedback Map [HERE] to share your insights by July 30, 2024.
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Stop the Bleed - Get Prepared! Training | Photo: Nebraska Hernandez | |
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On June 17, 2024, UPROSE hosted a critical "Stop the Bleed - Get Prepared!" training session, empowering community members to respond effectively in emergencies. This event, part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing community resilience, equipped attendees with essential skills in CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage, and bleeding control techniques, including how to make tourniquets and pack wounds until help arrives.
The training also addressed preparedness for severe climate-related events such as heatwaves and flooding, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency in crisis situations, like surviving without food, water, and electricity for three days. Furthermore, the session included vital training on administering NARCAN to reverse opioid overdoses, highlighting our holistic approach to community safety and health.
Thank you to all the participants who joined us in strengthening social cohesion and resilience in Sunset Park. Your engagement and readiness to learn these crucial skills are vital to building a safer and more prepared community. Let’s continue to stand together, ready to support and uplift one another in times of need.
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TRIBECA Film Festival on June 11, 2024 in NYC | |
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On June 11th, UPROSE was prominently featured in the documentary film EMERGENT CITY, which premiered to a sold-out audience at the Tribeca Film Festival. The event was a momentous occasion, with UPROSE members gracing the red carpet and celebrating the film's debut.
In the post-screening Q&A, Executive Director Elizabeth Yeampierre emphasized the community's unwavering commitment to justice: “This was a community not willing to negotiate with justice. We want investments in our community for a green future - we have the right to remain. We have a community-led vision and that vision is manifesting.” The documentary highlights UPROSE's dedication to a sustainable and equitable future, showcasing the power and resilience of grassroots activism.
Congratulations to the EMERGENT CITY team on this remarkable achievement!
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South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Groundbreaking! | |
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"After decades of advocating to bring offshore wind to South Brooklyn, UPROSE is happy to see this climate justice victory progress in a community with a legacy of fossil fuel pollution & health disparities. UPROSE and the Sunset Park community have long fought to preserve the industrial character of NYC's largest industrial waterfront. Offshore wind is an opportunity to center racial justice and operationalize a true Just Transition by supporting the community-led vision for a Green Re-Industrialization and creating thousands of well-paying local green jobs."
-Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE
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On June 10th, UPROSE celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, marking a pivotal moment in their decades-long advocacy for offshore wind energy. This achievement signifies a major climate justice victory for a community long burdened by fossil fuel pollution and health disparities. UPROSE and the Sunset Park community have consistently fought to preserve the industrial character of New York City's largest industrial waterfront. The advent of offshore wind energy provides an opportunity to center racial justice and operationalize a true Just Transition, supporting the community-led vision for Green Re-Industrialization and creating thousands of well-paying local green jobs. This development is a crucial step towards environmental justice and economic empowerment for the Sunset Park community, aligning with UPROSE's mission to foster a sustainable and equitable future. | |
In Our Words/En Nuestras Palabras: Climate Justice Storytelling Training on June 6, 2024 | |
On June 6th, UPROSE hosted the impactful "In Our Words/En Nuestras Palabras: Climate Justice Storytelling Training." This transformative session brought together community members to amplify their voices and experiences with climate justice. Participants engaged in dynamic workshops designed to hone their storytelling skills, enabling them to compellingly communicate the urgent need for environmental action. Through personal narratives and community wisdom, the training empowered attendees to become persuasive advocates for sustainable change in their neighborhoods and beyond. | |
Freedom Friday on May 24, 2024: Our Resistance Looks Like This! | |
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On May 24, 2024, we celebrated an exceptionally vibrant "Freedom Friday: Our Resistance Looks Like This." The event was a resounding success, showcasing a rich tapestry of art, voices, and unity. It featured a stunning array of performances and artwork that vividly depicted stories of resistance, resilience, and community power. We are incredibly grateful for the passion and creativity that each artist and community member brought to the event, making it not only successful but profoundly impactful.
A heartfelt MUCHAS GRACIAS to everyone who participated, organized, and supported this endeavor. Your efforts have truly inspired and propelled the spirit of change forward. With more Freedom Fridays to come, let's maintain this momentum as we continue striving for justice and equity in everything we do for our community.
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Javier Bautista, our Special Projects and Wellness Coordinator, continues to lead our yoga sessions at UPROSE, guiding participants through a rejuvenating and empowering practice.
At the heart of his work, Javier orchestrates yoga sessions that are far more than just a series of poses; they are a journey towards rejuvenation and empowerment. With each session, he creates an oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle of city life, offering a space for participants to align their breath with movement, fostering a sense of inner peace and physical vitality. His holistic approach to wellness emphasizes the connection between a healthy environment and a healthy self, underlining the belief that personal well-being is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet.
Join Javier and the UPROSE community to experience how the art of yoga can enhance your strength, balance, and commitment to both personal and planetary health!
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📢 Join us at our emergency preparedness fair on Saturday, June 22nd from 11am to 2pm ET for free resources on responding to various types of emergencies, including fires, flooding, and poor air quality! The fair will take place at Sunset Park Public Library (5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232). See you there!
Únase a nosotros en nuestra feria de preparación para emergencias el sábado 22 de junio de 11 a. m. a 2 p. m. para obtener recursos gratuitos sobre cómo responder a varios tipos de emergencias, incluidos incendios, inundaciones y mala calidad del aire. La feria se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca Pública de Sunset Park (5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232). ¡Te veo allí!
欢迎参加 6 月 22 日星期六上午 11 点至下午 2 点的应急准备博览会，获取有关应对各种类型紧急情况（包括火灾、洪水和空气质量差）的免费资源！博览会将在日落公园公共图书馆（5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232）举行。到时候那里见！
انضم إلينا في معرض الاستعداد لحالات الطوارئ يوم السبت 22 يونيو من الساعة 11 صباحًا حتى 2 ظهرًا للحصول على موارد مجانية حول الاستجابة لأنواع مختلفة من حالات الطوارئ، بما في ذلك الحرائق والفيضانات وسوء نوعية الهواء! سيقام المعرض في مكتبة Sunset Park العامة (5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232). اراك هناك!
With NYC Emergency Management, UPROSE, New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Alexa Avilés, Brooklyn Public Library.
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Save the Date - Climate Justice Action September 2024 |
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The Drama of Zoning Finally Makes It to the Big Screen
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At the Village East theater for the sold-out world premiere of “Emergent City,” at the Tribeca Film Festival. (Photo by Oscar Perry Abello) | |
‘Emergent City’ Shows Us the Power of Saying ‘No’ | (Courtesy of “Emergent City”) | |
Long-awaited offshore wind hub breaks ground in Brooklyn | |
A rendering shows how the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal could look in 2026. (Equinor) | |
Groundbreaking At South Brooklyn Marine Terminal To Transform Port Into NYC Offshore Wind HUB | |
Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, President of Equinor Renewables Americas Molly Morris, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Andrew Kimball, President and CEO NYCEDC, Executive Director of UPROSE Elizabeth Yeampierre. Photo credit: Tiger Stripe Media | |
UPROSE's Job Opportunities | |
Please visit our website for more info!
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UPROSE is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized, women of color-led, grassroots organization that promotes sustainability and resiliency through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression in Brooklyn, New York. | |
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