Once we made it up to Albany, we heard presentations from Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Suozzi; Senate Minority Leader and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor David Paterson; Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco.  Many of the news stories from the day focused on Suozzi's unexpected call for the resignation of both legislative leaders.  

Afterward, we gathered together in groups and went off to lobby individual legislators on our issues.  I was impressed with the members of my group for their ability to communicate their perspectives on complex issues like redistricting and transparency in budgeting while keeping their comments grounded and personal.  One of my team members, for example, focused on how redistricting had affected her former hometown in Westchester when they were suddenly lumped into a new district that took them away from surrounding communities to which they were more closely connected both socially and geographically.

At the end of the day, we gathered together on the steps of the Captiol for a rally and press event.  We held brooms and mops to highlight our intention to "Sweep Albany Clean."  

The day was a great success.  We invigorated the Albany reform movement and made lawmakers feel concrete pressure on our five key issues.  

Check out these news articles from the day to learn more, and please take a moment to let us know how your experience of the day compared to our's.

The Albany Times Union:
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=480225&category=CAPITOL&BCCode=HOME&n ewsdate=5/10/2006
Newsday:
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-oplev104735893may10,0,6520318.column?coll=ny-news-columnis ts
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060510/NEWS01/605100352/1002/NEWS
The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/nyregion/10gov.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin