Ecumenical & Interfaith Advocacy Days 2026

We are grateful to the speakers who led Tuesday’s policy briefings, including Mary Rothwell-Davis (Vice-Chancellor for immigration and refugees, Episcopal Diocese of New York), Tosh Anderson, and Anne Kochman (Workers 4 Health). We thank Senators Robert Jackson and Pat Fahy, and Assemblyman Micah Lasher and all of the advocates who spoke at our press conference on Tuesday.

Special thanks to NYS Staff and volunteers including Social Justice Working Group chairs Rev. John Paarlberg and Rev. Jim Ketcham, and to Heather Smith, NYSCOC Director of Communications, for helping to coordinate the event.

Advocacy Update

A positive development: Sensitive Locations Act language was included in both one-house budget proposals, and the Governor has indicated support for similar language. However, negotiations continue until the April 1 budget deadline, so continued advocacy is essential.

Read a summary of the one-house budget proposals: https://nysfocus.com/2026/03/12/new-york-state-budget-negotiations-2026

Next Steps

• View and share Advocacy Day photos Here (add your own!)
• Watch video the press conference and Monday's Keynote by Rev. Amaury Tanon-Santos on the Council’s YouTube channel Here
• Join a NYSCOC Social Justice Working Group, sign up Here
• Here is a link to NYSCOC's Legislative Priorities packet for future reference
• Contact your legislators to support the Sensitive Locations Act