I ran into them on my way from a meeting on Troutman and Wykoff avenues in Bushwick.
They were VOCAL-NY workers seeking signatures and donations to help decriminalize the drug overdose epidemic, and they were on a deadline to collect a certain number of signatures to gain the support of the state (Gov. Cuomo). So I decided to film them!
Founded in 1999, Voices of Community Activists and Leaders (VOCAL) roots its work in New York's most marginalized communities, with the aim of ending the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C epidemics, war on drugs and mass incarceration, while creating more healthy and just communities and strengthening democratic participation in society.
Some of its programs include a syringe exchange that distributes over 50,000 clean syringes annually, as well as overdose prevention training and other participatory services to hundreds of New Yorkers. Our community organizing.
For more information on VOCAL-NY, go here. To make a donation, go here.
