As of April 28th, 60 people have died and over 2,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Hampshire.
Because the rate of testing in our state has remained low, we rank 29th in the fifty states in terms of number of tests given, public health officials estimate that a much larger number of Granite Staters have been infected. Even in New Hampshire, the pain of the virus is not distributed evenly. Instead, people of color are disproportionately likely to be infected with COVID-19.
Due to the challenges New Hampshire is facing, we’re hosting a unique town hall alongside New Hampshire Youth Movement, 350NH, Unitarian Universalist Action NH, and The Granite State Organizing Project.
It was with these organizations that we assembled and issued a petition urging Gov. Sununu take action to protect the most vulnerable during this crisis.
This virtual town hall will be held on May 7th featuring community leaders and representatives to discuss which of the petition ideas need the most urgent action, learn about the various stimulus packages, share stories from our communities, and give current elected officials the opportunity to hear from, and speak to, us directly.
Let’s pull together, as we’ve done in times past, to demand our government provide money and care to those who are hardest hit, not to the wealthy few.
We believe that we can create a New Hampshire where we:
- Ensure health is the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions.
- Provide economic relief directly to the people.
- Rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives.
- Make a downpayment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crises.
- Protect our democratic process while protecting each other.
- Prioritize Black, Indigenous, undocumented, and low-income communities who are hurt first and worst.
- Invest in the global cooperation we need to address the global pandemic.
We are calling on our governor, legislature, and leading administrative officials to follow the lead of people’s organizations and direct our collective resources as a state to those who most need our support now, and in the ensuing months.
Our response to this crisis must fight inequality, not double down on the unjust status quo.